Search

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's new front door: AI discovery surges as search slips
News / Technology
Travel's new front door: AI discovery surges as search slips
By Phocuswright Research | December 2, 2025
While general search still leads all other research tools, its share is dropping as AI usage grows, raising the question of whether gen AI platforms could eventually overtake traditional search. Read More
Agoda's Omri Morgenshtern on OTAs moving up the funnel
News / Online
Agoda's Omri Morgenshtern on OTAs moving up the funnel
By Linda Fox | December 1, 2025
Agoda CEO Omri Morgenshtern discussed AI's impact on trip planning as well as behind the scenes. Read More
Google's agentic booking commercial model to be 'similar' to current model
News / Online
Google's agentic booking commercial model to be 'similar' to current model
By Linda Fox | November 24, 2025
Google's James Byers spoke about user trust, LLM differentiation and evolving advertising models in an interview at The Phocuswright Conference. Read More
Barry Diller on Google, AI and the future of travel search
News / Technology
Barry Diller on Google, AI and the future of travel search
By Abby Crotty | November 21, 2025
The chairman and senior executive of IAC and Expedia Group said that Google's search monopoly is coming to an end. Read More
How social search is influencing the future of travel
News / Online
How social search is influencing the future of travel
By Abby Crotty | November 20, 2025
During an executive panel at The Phocuswright Conference, leaders from TikTok, Reddit and YouTube discussed the intersection of travel and social media. Read More
Hotel, flight bookings coming to Google's AI Mode
News / Technology
Hotel, flight bookings coming to Google's AI Mode
By Morgan Hines | November 17, 2025
The search giant announced Monday that it is partnering on the initiative with Expedia, Booking.com, Marriott and other industry players. Read More
Rapid Fire with David Hoctor of TikTok
News / Online
Rapid Fire with David Hoctor of TikTok
By Abby Crotty | November 11, 2025
As we approach The Phocuswright Conference in San Diego, PhocusWire is highlighting a number of conference speakers in a series of Q&As.   Read More
Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2026: Kismet
Interview / Startups
Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2026: Kismet
By PhocusWire | November 10, 2025
Kismet wants to make it easy for hotels to stand out in an AI storefront. Read More
Expedia Group outlines strategies for OpenAI partnership, highlights B2B strength
News / Online
Expedia Group outlines strategies for OpenAI partnership, highlights B2B strength
By Abby Crotty | November 6, 2025
When asked about Expedia Group’s strategic approach to its OpenAI partnership, CEO Ariane Gorin said the company has two main priorities. Read More
Trivago reports ongoing growth, continues 'disciplined' marketing approach
News / Online
Trivago reports ongoing growth, continues 'disciplined' marketing approach
By Abby Crotty | November 4, 2025
Trivago CEO Johannes Thomas said the company is “encouraged by the strength and durability of our momentum.” Read More
What travel tech entrepreneur Bobby Healy would build if he had another life
News / Technology
What travel tech entrepreneur Bobby Healy would build if he had another life
By Linda Fox | October 28, 2025
The Meili co-founder shared his thoughts on "easy money" in travel technology and had some advice for startups during an interview at a recent Travel Massive event. Read More
Hotels push live ChatGPT integrations as AI search goes bookable
News / Technology
Hotels push live ChatGPT integrations as AI search goes bookable
By Matthew Parsons | October 23, 2025
Following OpenAI’s launch of “ChatGPT apps,” experts predict that AI search platforms will soon be able to display hotels' real-time availability and rates. Read More
When travel isn’t first: How economic strains are changing consumer behavior
News / Online
When travel isn’t first: How economic strains are changing consumer behavior
By Phocuswright Research | October 22, 2025
While major trip components continue to be booked at similar rates, the way travelers research, plan and choose is shifting beneath the surface. Read More
Airbnb adds social tools for experiences and updates host capabilities
News / Technology
Airbnb adds social tools for experiences and updates host capabilities
By Abby Crotty | October 21, 2025
Guests can now interact with other travelers they meet on experiences, while hosts can set new cancellation policies and access price tips. Read More
AI’s new gatekeepers: How Booking.com and Expedia are hijacking the future of travel
Opinion / Technology
AI’s new gatekeepers: How Booking.com and Expedia are hijacking the future of travel
By Brad Brewer - Agentic Hospitality | October 21, 2025
The EU’s Digital Markets Act forces the biggest online “gatekeepers” to play fair, but it doesn’t yet cover standalone AI assistants—like ChatGPT, Gemini or Perplexity. Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2026