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.

Dharma raises $4.7M to scale marketplace for brand-led travel
News / Startups
Dharma raises $4.7M to scale marketplace for brand-led travel
By Mitra Sorrells | October 4, 2023
Dharma’s most recent partnership is with Paramount Global to offer travel experiences linked to the company’s hit Netflix show, “Emily in Paris.” Read More
Legends wins Phocuswright/WiT Global Startup Pitch
News / Startups
Legends wins Phocuswright/WiT Global Startup Pitch
By Mitra Sorrells | October 4, 2023
A panel of industry leaders selected travel personalization solution Legends as the winner of the competition while SquadTrip won the People's Choice Award. Read More
Google, Expedia, Travelport and Wego on AI risks, opportunities
News / Technology
Google, Expedia, Travelport and Wego on AI risks, opportunities
By Mitra Sorrells | October 3, 2023
In a session at WiT Singapore, executives from the four companies discussed concerns such as privacy, hallucinations and bias in relation to generative AI. Read More
Travel insurtech startup BeSafe Group closes €3M round
News / Startups
Travel insurtech startup BeSafe Group closes €3M round
By Mitra Sorrells | October 3, 2023
Founded in 2018, Rome-based BeSafe said it has insured more than 250,000 travelers and has a network of more than 1,600 customers, including hotels, tour operators and travel agencies. Read More
Two new distributors tap TourRadar's API to sell organized adventures
News / Online
Two new distributors tap TourRadar's API to sell organized adventures
By Morgan Hines | October 2, 2023
As experiences gain dominance in consumers' travel planning, LocalAdventures and Travlr are using TourRadar's API to offer thousands of options to their customers.  Read More
TravelLocal raises $10M Series B to accelerate international growth
News / Online
TravelLocal raises $10M Series B to accelerate international growth
By Mitra Sorrells | September 28, 2023
TravelLocal offers tailor-made holidays by connecting its clients with local experts in each destination, combining advice from vetted experts with the convenience of online booking. Read More
Despegar rolls out generative AI trip planner, starting in Argentina
News / Technology
Despegar rolls out generative AI trip planner, starting in Argentina
By Mitra Sorrells | September 27, 2023
Travelers can use the planner to receive customized itineraries, put together packages that combine flights, accommodations and car rentals and receive recommendations of what to do in their... Read More
2 months after split with Expedia, Hopper adds hotel inventory from Hotelbeds and WebBeds
News / Online
2 months after split with Expedia, Hopper adds hotel inventory from Hotelbeds and WebBeds
By Mitra Sorrells | September 27, 2023
The new "long-term" strategic partnerships with Hotelbeds and WebBeds add more than 700,000 hotels around the world to Hopper's platform. Read More
CEO Spotlight - Brett Keller of Priceline
Interview / Online
CEO Spotlight - Brett Keller of Priceline
By Linda Fox | September 27, 2023
PhocusWire talks to Priceline CEO Brett Keller about the company's partnership with Google, the hype around generative artificial intelligence and treading its own path versus other Booking Holdings... Read More
Poor security, clunky processes driving online hotel booking abandonment
News / Online
Poor security, clunky processes driving online hotel booking abandonment
By Linda Fox | September 25, 2023
Most important to consumers when booking accommodation online is an easy and secure booking and payment experience, 53%, followed by video and images of rooms and the property, 50%. Read More
Booking to appeal EU regulators' decision to block Etraveli acquisition
News / Online
Booking to appeal EU regulators' decision to block Etraveli acquisition
By Linda Fox | September 25, 2023
Booking says the dispute does not affect its strategy to build out flights as part of its connected trip vision. Read More
4 things to know about the future of the U.S. OTA market
News / Online
4 things to know about the future of the U.S. OTA market
By Phocuswright Research | September 25, 2023
The U.S. travel market continued its stellar recovery in 2022, with total gross bookings of $422.2 billion, an increase of 51% over the prior year. Read More
Fliggy wants to help overseas travel companies market to Chinese tourists
News / Online
Fliggy wants to help overseas travel companies market to Chinese tourists
By Mitra Sorrells | September 21, 2023
The Alibaba subsidiary is adding new tools and services to help travel partners, particularly those in Southeast Asia, “tap into the massive potential of Chinese tourism in a cost-effective... Read More
Hopper-Turo partnership brings car-sharing to booking platform
News / Online
Hopper-Turo partnership brings car-sharing to booking platform
By Derek Catron | September 21, 2023
Turo also has partnerships with Kayak, to make its cars available on that site, and Capital One and Delta Airlines, to provide rewards to those companies’ loyalty members who book on Turo.   Read More
Expedia Group builds generative AI into multiple products in its “Fall Release”
News / Technology
Expedia Group builds generative AI into multiple products in its “Fall Release”
By Mitra Sorrells | September 21, 2023
Among many other updates to its products and services for both travelers and industry partners, Expedia Group is partnering with travel influencers to offer short-form videos in the Expedia and... Read More
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