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.

News / Technology

TourRadar launches ‘AI Discovery’ ChatGPT, Instagram, MCP integrations

By Morgan Hines | September 15, 2025

The new tools are aimed at reimagining how travelers discover and book tours that span multiple days. Read More

News / Technology

Tripadvisor CEO Matt Goldberg talks SEO, shift to AI

By Morgan Hines | September 12, 2025

Tripadvisor has adjusted its strategy, building on its existing internet credibility to fit a changing search environment. Read More

News / Technology

Study tracks how travel shoppers use Google’s AI Mode

By Abby Crotty | September 9, 2025

A small behavioral study from Propellic examined how travelers interact with Google AI Mode and why travel marketers need to adjust. Read More

News / Online

Google will have to share data with competitors, U.S. judge rules

By Morgan Hines | September 2, 2025

Google will not have to sell its Chrome browser but will face new restraints such as a block on exclusive contracts. Read More

News / Distribution

Have TikTok and Booking.com just ‘nuked’ the travel funnel?

By Morgan Hines | August 28, 2025

Select U.S. users can now book hotel rooms through Booking.com directly on TikTok—and the platform has also launched TikTokGO for creators to earn travel commissions. Read More

News / Online

Three charts that reveal how digital sources shape destination decisions

By Phocuswright Research | August 27, 2025

Data from recent Phocuswright research reveals that in the decision-making journey, OTAs, general search engines and review platforms dominate as the most influential sources. Read More

News / Distribution

Booking.com and hotels increasingly go their separate ways

By Matthew Parsons | August 27, 2025

The relationship with Booking.com has especially soured in Europe as the OTA faces a lawsuit from 10,000 hotels. Read More

News / Online

Travel Tech Flashback: What made headlines in 2020?

By Abby Crotty | August 26, 2025

As part of our Travel Tech Flashback series, we took a look at 2020, otherwise known as the year that changed travel forever. Read More

News / Technology

Google expands AI Mode to 180 new countries and territories, adds features

By Abby Crotty | August 22, 2025

One of the new features include enhanced options for finding restaurant reservations, local appointments and event tickets. Read More

News / Technology

Generative AI platform personalization: At what cost?

By Matthew Parsons | August 20, 2025

Travel companies have been striving to obtain specific, personalized data for many years. Are the AI platforms about to gain a competitive edge as they learn more about the users? Read More

Opinion / Online

Social commerce is the future: 5 strategies to help travel brands adapt

By David Armstrong - HolidayPirates Group | August 18, 2025

According to David Armstrong, CEO and co-founder of HolidayPirates Group, the future of e-commerce is scroll-first, not search-first. Why is travel unprepared? Read More

News / Online

Tours and activities trends in 2025: Younger travelers, later bookings, AI

By Morgan Hines | August 15, 2025

Industry leaders opened up about 2025 tours and activities trends during a studio interview at Phocuswright Europe. Read More

News / Online

Travel trends and social media in Africa, the Middle East and China

By Abby Crotty | August 14, 2025

During an executive panel at Phocuswright Europe in Barcelona, panelists also touched on products they’re working on, B2B travel tech trends and fraud in Africa. Read More