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.

Boddy gets $2.2M to connect travelers with wellness activities
News / Startups
Boddy gets $2.2M to connect travelers with wellness activities
By Mitra Sorrells | July 13, 2023
Boddy operates a consumer-facing website and partners with hotels, airlines and online travel agencies to enable travelers to book wellness experiences in cities around the world. Read More
Expedia Group announces ugly split with Hopper
News / Online
Expedia Group announces ugly split with Hopper
By Mitra Sorrells and Derek Catron | July 12, 2023
Expedia Group is pulling its hotel and vacation rental supply from Hopper, charging the rival online travel agency with taking advantage of consumers. Read More
Culture Trip considers sale, funding options following management buyout
News / Online
Culture Trip considers sale, funding options following management buyout
By Mitra Sorrells | July 12, 2023
 Culture Trip has struggled to find its way and is now considering a sale after raising more than £130 million from investors.   Read More
How can travel harness ChatGPT - while limiting risks?
Opinion / Technology
How can travel harness ChatGPT - while limiting risks?
By Rudy Daniello – Amadeus | July 11, 2023
Amadeus has been working with Microsoft and Accenture to develop a generative AI-powered interactive travel assistant to assist corporate travelers with all elements of their journey. Read More
Sojern expands travel marketing platform with acquisition of VenueLytics
News / Online
Sojern expands travel marketing platform with acquisition of VenueLytics
By Mitra Sorrells | July 11, 2023
VenueLytics provides guest experience and data analytics tools to improve guest satisfaction and loyalty, increase direct bookings and drive ancillary revenue. Read More
NeoKe raises first round in push to create truly “connected” travel
News / Startups
NeoKe raises first round in push to create truly “connected” travel
By Mitra Sorrells | July 10, 2023
The startup, launched by two former Booking.com executives in 2022, aims to put travelers in control of their data and to create new opportunities for brands to drive loyalty. Read More
Expedia Group launches One Key unified rewards program
News / Online
Expedia Group launches One Key unified rewards program
By Derek Catron | July 7, 2023
Speaking at Phocuswright Europe 2023, Alfonso Paredes called One Key “a super powerful tool” that would spread rewards benefits to more travelers.   Read More
Business travel leaders cautious on generative AI, tout benefits
News / Technology
Business travel leaders cautious on generative AI, tout benefits
By Linda Fox | July 6, 2023
Generative AI continues to dominate conversations across travel with corporate travel no exception. Executives from Clarivate, Cornerstone, Spotnana and UiPath share early uses for the tech and pitfalls... Read More
Online travel platforms escape digital gatekeeper list
News / Online
Online travel platforms escape digital gatekeeper list
By Linda Fox | July 4, 2023
The European Commission published the first list of companies that consider themselves potential gatekeepers today. Read More
Agoda unveils wholesale distribution platform for hotel partners
News / Distribution
Agoda unveils wholesale distribution platform for hotel partners
By Derek Catron | June 30, 2023
Booking Holdings brand Agoda now offers more transparency for hotels to track volume and rates and maximize revenues.    Read More
Accor updates on digital and distribution strategy
News / Distribution
Accor updates on digital and distribution strategy
By Linda Fox | June 30, 2023
Accor chief digital officer Alix Boulnois detailed some of the company’s strategies going forward during a Capital Market Day in late June. Read More
Priceline’s new AI chatbot will mix ChatGPT and Google tech
News / Technology
Priceline’s new AI chatbot will mix ChatGPT and Google tech
By Mitra Sorrells | June 28, 2023
Priceline's new chatbot, Penny, is equipped with security features so users can complete an accommodation booking right within the chat. Read More
How travel brands are finding a voice on TikTok
News / Online
How travel brands are finding a voice on TikTok
By Linda Fox | June 28, 2023
TikTok's Hannah Bennett shares some of the current trends for travel on the platform as well as how brands including BA and Hilton are finding their voice. Read More
Booking.com adds conversational trip planning with ChatGPT
News / Technology
Booking.com adds conversational trip planning with ChatGPT
By Mitra Sorrells | June 27, 2023
For now the chat platform is integrated only with Booking.com’s accommodation booking experience, but the company plans to add flights, ground transportation and other trip components in the future. Read More
Chargebacks in travel increasing as consumers find them easier than refunds
News / Technology
Chargebacks in travel increasing as consumers find them easier than refunds
By Linda Fox | June 27, 2023
Outpayce, the payments business of Amadeus, surveyed travel executives to uncover that 71% of companies have seen an increase with disputes growing 30% year over year. Read More
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