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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.

Generative AI platform personalization: At what cost?
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
Social commerce is the future: 5 strategies to help travel brands adapt
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
Tours and activities trends in 2025: Younger travelers, later bookings, AI
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
Travel trends and social media in Africa, the Middle East and China
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
Travel experts on Perplexity’s bid to buy Google Chrome
News / Technology
Travel experts on Perplexity’s bid to buy Google Chrome
By Morgan Hines | August 13, 2025
 Industry leaders differ on Perplexity’s motivations and how the deal could impact the travel space. Read More
Freedom, flexibility and transparency: What Gen Z travelers really want and need
News / Online
Freedom, flexibility and transparency: What Gen Z travelers really want and need
By Abby Crotty | August 13, 2025
Gen Z is adventurous and spontaneous, and their travel booking preferences reflect these preferences. Read More
Startup Stage: Tickadoo wants to reinvent how travelers discover experiences
Interview / Startups
Startup Stage: Tickadoo wants to reinvent how travelers discover experiences
By Abby Crotty | August 12, 2025
Tickadoo uses AI to present travelers with experience recommendations based on their preferences. Read More
Expedia Group reports stronger results in Q2 amid ongoing U.S. headwinds
News / Online
Expedia Group reports stronger results in Q2 amid ongoing U.S. headwinds
By Abby Crotty | August 7, 2025
While numbers improved overall, second quarter results were still tempered by “soft demand” in the United States. Read More
Fora acquires AI startup Legends
News / Startups
Fora acquires AI startup Legends
By Abby Crotty | August 7, 2025
Legends and Fora, both PhocusWire Hot 25 Startups, said the deal will help bring Legends' tools to a wider community of advisors and travelers. Read More
Airbnb reports high customer satisfaction with Services, Experiences
News / Online
Airbnb reports high customer satisfaction with Services, Experiences
By Abby Crotty | August 6, 2025
The short-term rental giant said the response has been “overwhelmingly positive,” with experiences and services receiving higher ratings than homes. Read More
RV rental company Roadsurfer lands €85 million for expansion
News / Online
RV rental company Roadsurfer lands €85 million for expansion
By Abby Crotty | August 6, 2025
The Germany-based company said the capital will be used for growth and to expand its existing fleet in North America and Europe. Read More
Weighing in on the next generation of travel products and services around the world
News / Technology
Weighing in on the next generation of travel products and services around the world
By Abby Crotty | August 1, 2025
In an executive panel at Phocuswright Europe 2025, Emilie Dumont, CEO of Digitrips, and Rajnish Kumar, group co-CEO of Ixigo, discussed the tech ties that bind different regions of the world. Read More
Travel executives on the rise of ‘interest media’
News / Online
Travel executives on the rise of ‘interest media’
By Morgan Hines | July 31, 2025
Industry experts agree social media is only getting stronger and more relevant, particularly in this new era of "interest media," a new term coined by Gary Vaynerchuk. Read More
Startup Stage: Hotelwise wants to help Canadian travelers find the right hotel
Interview / Startups
Startup Stage: Hotelwise wants to help Canadian travelers find the right hotel
By Abby Crotty | July 29, 2025
Hotelwise was founded earlier this year by Andres Collart who previously founded Trip Ninja. Read More
Innovating with AI in travel to prepare for the future
News / Technology
Innovating with AI in travel to prepare for the future
By Abby Crotty | July 28, 2025
During an executive interview at Phocuswright Europe in Barcelona, innovation consultant Marc Mekki explained the “paradox” of AI. Read More