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PhocusWire's in-depth coverage of travel search, featuring news, analysis, interviews, research and more on Google, other search engines, strategies, executives and role in the market.

Travel + Leisure Co. launches online booking platform
News / Online
Travel + Leisure Co. launches online booking platform
By Jill Menze | February 17, 2021
Travel + Leisure Co., formerly known as Wyndham Destinations, has launched a vacation booking platform as part of the company's rebrand. Read More
google-france-hotel-fine
News / Online
Google fined €1.1M for deceptive hotel ratings in France
By Mitra Sorrells | February 16, 2021
Google has also agreed to remove its ratings and use those provided by Atout France, the country's tourism agency. Read More
Chinese travelers more positive about travel in 2021 than regional neighbors
News / Online
Chinese travelers more positive about travel in 2021 than regional neighbors
By Linda Fox | February 1, 2021
Domestic searches led in December 2020 in many APAC countries with the exception of Singapore, according to Expedia's research. Read More
How travel marketers adjust to the ups and downs of COVID-19
News / Online
How travel marketers adjust to the ups and downs of COVID-19
By Mitra Sorrells | January 27, 2021
As coronavirus rates and lockdown measures shift, travel advertising strategies have centered on careful messaging through digital platforms. Read More
jetblue-fareportal-lawsuit
News / Distribution
JetBlue calls Fareportal distribution antitrust lawsuit "frivolous"
By Arnie Weissmann - Travel Weekly | January 8, 2021
Fareportal, parent of OTAs CheapOAir and One Travel, filed a lawsuit in federal court alleging that JetBlue Airways violated antitrust laws. Read More
startup-stage-wknd-main
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: WKND curates local weekend adventure packages
By Mitra Sorrells | December 15, 2020
 WKND is targeting millennials with what it calls a retreats-as-a-service platform that provides personalized adventure packages within a three-hour drive.   Read More
AirAsia boss on the Google threat and extending the brand
News / Online
AirAsia boss on the Google threat and extending the brand
By Linda Fox | December 11, 2020
AirAsia Group boss Tony Fernandes believes airlines will end up outbidding each other on Google. Read More
Travel companies ask European regulators to enforce Google dominance decision
News / Online
Travel companies ask European regulators to enforce Google dominance decision
November 16, 2020
In a letter to the commissioner for competition, 130 companies and 28 industry organizations, across numerous sectors, ask the Commission to enforce its 2017 abuse of dominance decision. Read More
thanksgiving-travel-trends-2020
News / Online
U.S. Thanksgiving travel trends show clear shift in destination preferences
By Mitra Sorrells | November 13, 2020
Data from Sojern shows a dramatic shift in interest from large cities such as New York and San Francisco to smaller, vacation destination such as Orlando and Denver for both flights and hotels. Read More
online-travel-digital-gatekeepers
News / Online
Online travel platforms dispute "gatekeeper" claims as Europe readies digital legislation
By Linda Fox | November 11, 2020
Proposals for new European digital legislation in Europe could include online travel players such as Airbnb and Booking.com. Read More
startup-stage-float
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Float provides price comparison, booking of local mobility options
By Mitra Sorrells | November 10, 2020
The platform launched in beta in Singapore at the start of the year and is now launching in the United States beginning in San Francisco. Read More
Hot 25 Startups 2021: Air Doctor
Interview / Startups
Hot 25 Startups 2021: Air Doctor
By PhocusWire | November 9, 2020
Air Doctor is a digital platform that provides a global medical network of physicians and makes it accessible to any traveler, anywhere. Read More
google-itb-trends
News / Distribution
Google says COVID boosted OTA usage in APAC
By Mitra Sorrells | October 26, 2020
Google's sector lead for travel and vertical search in APAC shared results of the company's consumer surveys during a keynote at ITB Asia.     Read More
Sounding Off: Can Google really be fair?
Interview / Online
Sounding Off: Can Google really be fair?
By PhocusWire | October 23, 2020
Whatever happens in the coming months (perhaps even years) with the Google antitrust suit, travel en masse will not be happy with outcome. Read More
Travel brands eager for a hit on Google might be disappointed
Opinion / Online
Travel brands eager for a hit on Google might be disappointed
By Robert Cole - RockCheetah and Phocuswright | October 22, 2020
Travel industry expert and analyst Robert Cole dives into the antitrust probe into Google and finds there is little there that will appease concerns in the travel industry. Read More
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