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.

crowdfunding-mr&mrssmith-travel
News / Startups
Established travel brands see crowdfunding as mechanism to boost loyalty
By Linda Fox | September 20, 2018
Mr & Mrs Smith and Much Better Adventures discuss why they decided to go down the crowdfunding route.... Read More
Make It Social hones group check-out experience, sees growth in travel and ticketing
News / Online
Make It Social hones group check-out experience, sees growth in travel and ticketing
By Linda Fox | September 19, 2018
Make It Social has gone back to basics and revamped its social check-out technology... Read More
tripcreator-8-million-funding
News / Startups
TripCreator lands $8M in funding, plans New York move
By Linda Fox | September 14, 2018
TripCreator, a trip planning service, has raised $8 million in funding from venture capitalists and... Read More
In the green room at Phocuswright with... Eric Gnock Fah
Interview / Startups
In the green room at Phocuswright with... Eric Gnock Fah
By Phocuswire | September 14, 2018
Led by Eric Gnock Fah and a fellow colleague from the investment banking sector, Klook entered the... Read More
Is the travel industry ready for a new wave of disruption?
News / Startups
Is the travel industry ready for a new wave of disruption?
By PhocusWire | September 13, 2018
"Disruption" has become an ever-present word in the popular vernacular when talking about changes in... Read More
Beekeeper 13M funding
News / Startups
Beekeeper picks up $13M to grow hotel employee communication platform
By Mitra Sorrells | September 13, 2018
Beekeper, a platform that provides real-time, two-way communication among all employees in a hotel has... Read More
criton-startup-stage-travel-3
Interview / Startups
Startup Stage: Criton drags and drops app tools into hotels
By Kevin May | September 11, 2018
With 28 full-time employees and expansion to London, Criton is ambitious with its plan to give hotels... Read More
STARTUP STAGE: Arise's distributed network wants to help hotels bypass intermediaries
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Arise's distributed network wants to help hotels bypass intermediaries
By Jill Menze | September 6, 2018
Winner of the Phocuswright’s 2018 Battleground competition, Arise’s blockchain-based technology is... Read More
QOTW: Something about fading attraction
News / Startups
QOTW: Something about fading attraction
By PhocusWire | August 31, 2018
Quote from Carolyn Jameson, chief legal officer at Skyscanner, in an article on PhocusWire this week.... Read More
STARTUP STAGE: xCheck gives airlines tech to better showcase web fares
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: xCheck gives airlines tech to better showcase web fares
By Kevin May | August 30, 2018
U.S.-based xCheck is a tool for airlines to manage and optimize their fares when pushing prices to... Read More
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