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.

Interview / Startups

STARTUP STAGE: Skipper’s sales platform drives direct bookings for hotels

By Kathryn Walson | September 29, 2022

Skipper aims to give independent hotel owners the sales platform they need to compete with large chains and online travel agencies. Read More

News / Startups

Expedia Group launches new startup accelerator

By Jill Menze | September 28, 2022

Called Open World Accelerator, the initiative provides startups and small- and medium-size businesses access to Expedia Group’s technology and resources. Read More

News / Startups

Borrow A Boat targets U.S. growth with latest acquisition

By Mitra Sorrells | September 28, 2022

Borrow A Boat's acquisition of KellyBoat is its third this year and first in the United States. Read More

News / Online

Ancillary sales drive pandemic recovery for many airlines

By Kathryn Walson | September 27, 2022

Ancillary revenue accounted for more than half of 2021 revenue at four airlines: Wizz Air, Frontier, Spirit and Allegiant. Read More

News / Online

Travel app bookings up 16% as consumers embrace digital solutions

By Jill Menze | September 27, 2022

According to a PYMNTS study, consumers reported more engagement with travel platforms such as Airbnb and Homestay along with other digital solutions in Q2 2022. Read More

News / Online

U.S. Department of Transportation calls for fee transparency from airlines, OTAs

By Mitra Sorrells | September 26, 2022

The proposal would affect U.S. air carriers, foreign air carriers and third parties such as OTAs and metasearch sites that display fares for flights to, from and within the United States. Read More

Opinion / Online

How AI-driven performance marketing can drive growth for travel businesses

By Neel Pandya - Pixis | September 23, 2022

Well-executed marketing campaigns can generate significant ROI for travel brands. Read More

News / Online

Saudi Arabia's PIF plans $1B stake in Almosafer

By WiT | September 23, 2022

Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund, has signed a non-binding deal with Seera Group Holding to acquire a SR3.75 billion ($1 billion) stake in its travel unit Almosafer. Read More

News / Online

Trip.com Group sees signs of optimism despite revenue drop in Q2

By Mitra Sorrells | September 22, 2022

Trip.com Group's total revenue in the second quarter of this year came in at $598 million, down 32% from the same period in 2021 and down 2% compared to the prior quarter. Read More

News / Online

Japan’s TakeMe lands $1.8M to expand restaurant-reservation service

By Kathryn Walson | September 22, 2022

TakeMe connects with OTAs such as Klook, KKday and Meituan to link foreign tourists with restaurants in Japan. Read More

News / Online

Google Search adds train bookings, eco-filters for hotel and air

By Mitra Sorrells | September 20, 2022

Travelers can now book train tickets directly from Google Search and can filter hotel and flight results based on the property's eco-certification or a flight's emission data. Read More

Interview / Online

Q&A: Cleartrip CFO on how the Flipkart deal is fueling growth

By Kathryn Walson | September 20, 2022

Cleartrip CFO Aditya Agarwal discusses the benefits of having Flipkart as a distribution channel as well as how the OTA is reviving its hotels business. Read More