Travel Startups and Innovation News

PhocusWire's in-depth coverage of the startups in the travel, tourism and hospitality industry, featuring news, analysis, interviews, research and more.

Startups are a powerful force driving innovation across the travel industry—from AI-driven personalization and fintech solutions to next-gen mobility and booking platforms. PhocusWire delivers the most relevant travel startups and innovation news, spotlighting emerging companies that are rethinking the way people search, book, and experience travel.

Emerging travel startups and innovations driving the industry forward

Our coverage highlights breakthrough ideas, early-stage funding rounds, and strategic partnerships that bring fresh energy to the travel ecosystem. Whether it's reshaping trip planning, optimizing operations, or solving pain points across the journey, travel startups are challenging incumbents and building the future of travel with agility and purpose.

pcw-2018-tours-activities
News / Distribution
VIDEO: Funding, search bias and a need for independent tech providers for activities
By Linda Fox | December 5, 2018
Tours and activities execs took to the Center Stage at The Phocuswright Conference to talk investment,... Read More
SnapTravel 21.2 million Series A
News / Startups
SnapTravel adds $13.2M to develop its text- and voice-based travel assistant
By Mitra Sorrells | December 5, 2018
Toronto-based SnapTravel has closed a $21.2 million Series A funding round, adding $13.2 million in... Read More
VIDEO: ConnexPay - Summit pitch winner at Phocuswright 2018
Interview / Startups
VIDEO: ConnexPay - Summit pitch winner at Phocuswright 2018
By Kevin May | December 5, 2018
ConnexPay is transforming how travel companies accept cards & pay for travel to save millions of... Read More
Homerez 6 million euro investment
News / Startups
Homerez raises €6M, aims to become European leader in vacation rental services
By Mitra Sorrells | December 4, 2018
Paris-based vacation rental management startup Homerez has raised €6 million to accelerate its growth... Read More
VIDEO: Skylark - Summit pitch at Phocuswright 2018
Interview / Startups
VIDEO: Skylark - Summit pitch at Phocuswright 2018
By Kevin May | December 4, 2018
What's the future of luxury travel? It's what we all want: convenience, transparency, value, service... Read More
VIDEO: Baarb - Summit pitch winner at Phocuswright 2018
Interview / Startups
VIDEO: Baarb - Summit pitch winner at Phocuswright 2018
By Kevin May | December 3, 2018
This enterprise B2B platform is helping global travel brands deliver hyper-relevant search results... Read More
VIDEO: Futurestay - Summit pitch at Phocuswright 2018
Interview / Startups
VIDEO: Futurestay - Summit pitch at Phocuswright 2018
By Kevin May | November 30, 2018
The smartest way to connect vacation rentals to everything - channels, guests, payments and their own... Read More
lufthansa-yilu-b2b-platform
News / Distribution
Lufthansa releases B2B travel platform Yilu from stealth mode
By Linda Fox | November 29, 2018
Lufthansa Group has launched Yilu, a B2B startup that grew out of its innovation hub.... Read More
STARTUP STAGE: Pebblar helps travelers create itineraries with DIY collaborative tool
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Pebblar helps travelers create itineraries with DIY collaborative tool
By Jill Menze | November 29, 2018
Pebblar offers travelers a visual workspace to map and create itineraries. Think the functions of... Read More
VIDEO: Teckst - Summit pitch at Phocuswright 2018
Interview / Startups
VIDEO: Teckst - Summit pitch at Phocuswright 2018
By Kevin May | November 29, 2018
Teckst empowers travel brands to text with their customers in real time using flexible CRM... Read More
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 In partnership with Zartico, this video series explores the latest trends and delivers practical... Read More
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