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.

News / Online

Discussing the latest trends in travel demand and dispersal

By Abby Crotty | September 8, 2026

Executives from Amadeus, Travalyst, Travelier and Paradores discuss changing traveler preferences and how emerging destinations are approaching growth. Read More

From Our Partners / Technology

The agentic traveler: Is travel ready for AI booking demand?

By Cathy Walsh | September 7, 2026

AI is moving from travel inspiration to transaction. New Phocuswright research reveals who is ready to book through AI and what travel companies need to do now. Read More

News / Startups

Payments-first OTA Laters.com raises $1.5M in seed funding

By Abby Crotty | September 3, 2026

The fresh capital will help the startup grow, expand its core business and add new products and verticals. Read More

News / Online

Airbnb names Tripadvisor exec Pepijn Rijvers chief business officer

By Abby Crotty | September 1, 2026

Rijvers succeeds current CBO Dave Stephenson, who has decided to move on after eight years at Airbnb. Read More

News / Technology

Vrbo launches sponsored search listings globally amid wider product rollout

By Morgan Hines | September 1, 2026

Expedia Group has announced a dozen vacation rental product launches for Vrbo and Escapia. Read More

News / Technology

AI isn’t just for research anymore: What European travelers are actually doing with it

By Phocuswright Research | September 1, 2026

European travelers are using AI well beyond simple search, and data shows just how far it's spread across the trip journey. Read More

From Our Partners / Technology

Human-in-the-loop servicing shouldn’t be the end goal for travel

By Amir Balaish, Wenrix | August 31, 2026

As AI improves, travel companies should move beyond human validation of complex servicing toward autonomous execution that is accurate, scalable and fast. Read More

News / Technology

Hotel booking goes live in Google's AI Mode, flights still waiting

By Morgan Hines | August 27, 2026

U.S. travelers can now book hotels inside Google's AI Mode with partners including Marriott, Booking.com and Expedia, though flight booking is not yet available. Read More

Interview / Startups

Startup Stage: BreckenWander wants to offer all-in pricing up front

By Abby Crotty | August 25, 2026

BreckenWander launched in June, offering travelers an option to see the final price at the beginning of the booking phase. Read More

News / Technology

Expedia Group makes AI-motivated leadership cuts

By Morgan Hines | August 21, 2026

The online travel giant let eight senior members go, including VPs and an SVP, as it seeks to “move faster.” Read More

From Our Partners / Technology

Why payment infrastructure will shape the future of travel commerce

By PhocusWire | August 20, 2026

Modernizing payment infrastructure is becoming a critical issue for travel companies as legacy systems, margin pressure, merchant of record models and agentic commerce reshape how travel is sold,... Read More

News / Online

Uber adds train booking from Ixigo to app in India

By Linda Fox | August 18, 2026

The partnership builds on Uber’s existing intercity travel service in India including cab rentals and long-distance buses. Read More

News / Online

Why the ANZ travel market is contracting in 2026 (and what recovers by 2029)

By Phocuswright Research | August 18, 2026

Phocuswright's Australia-New Zealand Travel Market Brief 2026 breaks down what's driving the downturn and when the market is expected to recover. Read More

News / Online

Agoda’s Tim Hughes on online travel’s broken promise and AI’s 'Reddit' dilemma

By Yeoh Siew Hoon - WiT | August 14, 2026

Agoda’s Timothy Hughes sat down at WiT Queenstown to discuss why online travel hasn't delivered on its oldest promise and why the fix for AI’s travel-advice problem might be in New Zealand. Read More