Online Travel Agency

PhocusWire's in-depth coverage of online travel agencies, featuring news, analysis, interviews, research and more on the brands and their strategies, executives and positions in the market.

Peter Kern exits Expedia Group board after 19 year tenure
News / Online
Peter Kern exits Expedia Group board after 19 year tenure
By Morgan Hines | September 13, 2024
The decision came as a result of “the speed and success of the Company’s recent management transition,” the SEC filing reads, referencing Kern’s exit as CEO in May when he was replaced by Ariane Gorin. Read More
Booking Holdings' new CFO expects connected trip "is really there" in 3 to 5 years
News / Online
Booking Holdings' new CFO expects connected trip "is really there" in 3 to 5 years
By Morgan Hines | September 10, 2024
Ewout Steenbergen, chief financial officer at Bookings Holdings since March, called out the company's work in alternative accommodations and artificial intelligence and strong demand in Asia as key... Read More
Five things travel marketers get wrong
From Our Partners / Online
Five things travel marketers get wrong
By Cathy Walsh | September 9, 2024
Marketing teams should review channel performance monthly and ensure that tactics are in service to an overarching strategy. And that strategy should be evaluated regularly to ensure it includes best... Read More
Women comprise 15.6% of B2B travel tech leadership: What the statistic means
News / Online
Women comprise 15.6% of B2B travel tech leadership: What the statistic means
By Morgan Hines | September 9, 2024
The analysis is based on a recent study of more than 400 B2B travel tech players at travel management companies and technology providers for accommodation distribution, airlines, car rentals,... Read More
Skyscanner joins with Travala.com to offer crypto bookings
News / Technology
Skyscanner joins with Travala.com to offer crypto bookings
By Morgan Hines | September 6, 2024
Travala.com has an inventory of more than 2.2 million hotels that can be booked with more than 100 forms of cryptocurrency, which Skyscanner users will now be able to access. Read More
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: Trip.Biz, Hospitable, Outpayce and more
News / Technology
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: Trip.Biz, Hospitable, Outpayce and more
By PhocusWire | September 6, 2024
Keep up with all the latest people, product and partner news from around the global travel industry in PhocusWire's weekly roundup. Read More
Airbnb takes aim at NYC a year after “failed” STR regulations
News / Online
Airbnb takes aim at NYC a year after “failed” STR regulations
By D.J. Catron | September 6, 2024
Hotel prices and rents in New York are both up a year after the city cracked down on short-term rentals, prompting Airbnb to call for changes to the law.   Read More
Thomas Cook finds new home with Poland's eSky Group
News / Online
Thomas Cook finds new home with Poland's eSky Group
By Linda Fox | September 5, 2024
The Poland-based travel company that operates the eSky and eDestino brands has acquired Thomas Cook from Fosun Tourism Group. Read More
Agoda’s human approach to learning and growing with AI
News / Technology
Agoda’s human approach to learning and growing with AI
By D.J. Catron | September 5, 2024
Idan Zalzberg, Agoda’s chief technology officer, details how the company uses technology and especially generative AI in its pursuit to become a virtual “travel companion.” Read More
Online travel giants hone in on social, mobile, loyalty
News / Online
Online travel giants hone in on social, mobile, loyalty
By Linda Fox | September 4, 2024
In Q2 earnings calls, Booking Holdings said it was increasing spend in social platforms, while Expedia said it was getting "surgical" around identifying drivers of repeat business. Read More
EDreams sees profitability bump from long-time subscribers
News / Online
EDreams sees profitability bump from long-time subscribers
By Morgan Hines | September 3, 2024
EDreams Odigeo reported its earnings, pointing to growth bolstered by its subscription program, an element that the company has identified as a driver of success in past earnings reports as well. Read More
Business travel division leads 2X growth for Flight Centre Travel Group
News / Online
Business travel division leads 2X growth for Flight Centre Travel Group
By Mitra Sorrells | August 28, 2024
Flight Centre Travel Group CEO Chris Galanty credited the company's AI Centre of Excellence for "revolutionizing" customer service and empowering agents through automation. Read More
Trip.com's Wei: It's the golden age for product leaders in travel
News / Technology
Trip.com's Wei: It's the golden age for product leaders in travel
By Yeoh Siew Hoon – Web In Travel | August 27, 2024
The founder of Trip.com's TripGenie discusses what makes her AI travel assistant different from others. Read More
Trip.com Group highlights revolutionary powers of AI
News / Online
Trip.com Group highlights revolutionary powers of AI
By Linda Fox | August 27, 2024
Trip.com Group continues to implement artificial intelligence across operations from customer service to Copilot in engineering and AI tools, such as the curated lists launched in June, to boost the... Read More
Report: The power of affiliate marketing to drive customer acquisition for travel brands
From Our Partners / Online
Report: The power of affiliate marketing to drive customer acquisition for travel brands
By Diane Merlino | August 27, 2024
Affiliate marketing has long been associated with end-of-the-funnel conversion, but with the proliferation of digital partners available for campaigns, that is no longer the case. Read More
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