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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.

Skyscanner launches flights app in ChatGPT
News / Technology
Skyscanner launches flights app in ChatGPT
By Morgan Hines | February 27, 2026
Skyscanner joins Hyatt, Accor, MakeMyTrip, Expedia, Booking.com and others in launching its ChatGPT app. Read More
Startup Stage: HotelWorld AI wants to increase hotel traffic from AI platforms
Interview / Startups
Startup Stage: HotelWorld AI wants to increase hotel traffic from AI platforms
By Abby Crotty | February 24, 2026
HotelWorld AI agents connect to a hotel’s existing technology stack, managed through a unified AI platform powered by a common data layer. Read More
Wyndham working across AI platforms to drive direct bookings
News / Online
Wyndham working across AI platforms to drive direct bookings
By Linda Fox | February 20, 2026
Wyndham's CEO Geoffrey Ballotti discussed how the company's AI initiatives will help customers find its properties, boost the guest experience and increase direct bookings. Read More
WebMCP offers path for travel sites to become ‘agent-ready’
News / Technology
WebMCP offers path for travel sites to become ‘agent-ready’
By Morgan Hines | February 18, 2026
Travel was highlighted as a use case for the WebMCP standard driven by Google and Microsoft. Read More
IHG plans AI-compatible hotel content platform
News / Technology
IHG plans AI-compatible hotel content platform
By Linda Fox | February 17, 2026
IHG, whose brands include Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza, is grouping AI into three areas: guest acquisition, commercial optimization and cost efficiency.  Read More
Expedia Group sees double-digit growth in revenue, gross bookings as AI push continues
News / Technology
Expedia Group sees double-digit growth in revenue, gross bookings as AI push continues
By Abby Crotty | February 12, 2026
Revenue was up 11% year over year to $3.5 billion, while total gross bookings were up 11% to $27 billion in Q4 2025. Read More
Marriott shares details of AI projects, partnerships
News / Technology
Marriott shares details of AI projects, partnerships
By Linda Fox | February 11, 2026
Marriott plans to deploy natural language search across Marriott.com and the Bonvoy mobile app in the first half of 2026. Read More
61% of travel brands are testing or scaling agentic AI
News / Technology
61% of travel brands are testing or scaling agentic AI
By Phocuswright Research | February 10, 2026
After developments in 2025, agentic AI use is likely to increase for travelers and businesses. Read More
Trivago turns a corner with strong 2025 results
News / Online
Trivago turns a corner with strong 2025 results
By Morgan Hines | February 3, 2026
Trivago credited its revenue growth to a rise in referral revenue in Q4 2025, its fourth consecutive quarter of double-digit growth in this metric. Read More
Accor launches app in ChatGPT
News / Technology
Accor launches app in ChatGPT
By Abby Crotty | January 29, 2026
Users can enable the app in ChatGPT to search for Accor hotels using specific dates and guest details. Read More
Google launches AI-powered City Guide, Comic Postcards
News / Technology
Google launches AI-powered City Guide, Comic Postcards
By Morgan Hines | January 28, 2026
The experimental features extend inspiration beyond travel’s logistics, according to Google. Read More
Making the case for hotels to enable AI 'crawlability'
News / Technology
Making the case for hotels to enable AI 'crawlability'
By Matthew Parsons | January 21, 2026
Opening up to AI crawlers can boost visibility and potentially direct bookings, but questions remain over security, compliance risks and longer-term benefits. Read More
Startup Stage: Bonafide helps travel brands position content for AI discovery
Interview / Startups
Startup Stage: Bonafide helps travel brands position content for AI discovery
By Abby Crotty | January 20, 2026
Founded in 2024, Bonafide is currently working to scale its business and help the travel industry maximize its AI potential. Read More
Why Google's UCP is not a game changer in travel
Opinion / Distribution
Why Google's UCP is not a game changer in travel
By Mario Gavira | January 20, 2026
Mario Gavira suggests that the new standard is not yet viable for the travel sector. Read More
Google UCP and travel’s race for an agentic commerce standard
News / Distribution
Google UCP and travel’s race for an agentic commerce standard
By Morgan Hines | January 15, 2026
The protocol will allow agents and systems to operate in tandem over businesses, payment providers and consumer surfaces. Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2026