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.

Instagram moments boosting importance of travel experiences
News / Online
Instagram moments boosting importance of travel experiences
By D.J. Catron | October 5, 2023
While experiences continue to gain importance in travel planning, factors such as limited online supply, weather and fixed pricing create disincentives to book far in advance.   Read More
Expedia Group expands B2B portfolio in Asia Pacific
News / Distribution
Expedia Group expands B2B portfolio in Asia Pacific
By Mitra Sorrells | October 4, 2023
Expedia Group calls Asia Pacific a "critical region" for continued growth of its B2B business as it adds several airlines and other new distribution partners. Read More
Hopper cuts 250 jobs, citing push to full-scale travel platform
News / Online
Hopper cuts 250 jobs, citing push to full-scale travel platform
By Derek Catron | October 4, 2023
Fred Lalonde, CEO of the Montreal-based company, told a Canadian newspaper the cuts — equal to 30% of full-time staff — were needed to reach profitability.   Read More
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