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.

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
Travello gets $5M round to push Bluetee marketing tech and expand
News / Startups
Travello gets $5M round to push Bluetee marketing tech and expand
By Kevin May | August 28, 2018
It's been a long time since a travel social network has caught some attention - but Travello has done... Read More
Surveying the travel startup landscape, part 4: Exit strategy
News / Startups
Surveying the travel startup landscape, part 4: Exit strategy
By Mitra Sorrells | August 28, 2018
For the final piece in our month-long series on startups, we gathered learnings from three companies... Read More
Startup Stage PopulStay 2
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: PopulStay uses blockchain for rental bookings, management and security
By Mitra Sorrells | August 27, 2018
PopulStay is a booking and property management platform for vacation rentals that uses blockchain to... Read More
chris-hemmeter-phocuswright-conference-2018-main-2
Interview / Startups
In the green room at Phocuswright with... Chris Hemmeter
By PhocusWire | August 23, 2018
A well-known figure on the travel startup scene through his venture firm, Thayer, Chris Hemmeter is a... Read More
Homelike 14M funding
News / Startups
Business apartment booking platform Homelike raises $14M, plans global expansion
By Mitra Sorrells | August 23, 2018
Homelike, a marketplace for long-term business apartments, has raised $14 million in a round led by... Read More
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Precision and predictability for travel marketing: Essential visitor intelligence to drive growth
 In partnership with Zartico, this video series explores the latest trends and delivers practical... Read More
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Changing traveler patterns, evolving customer needs drive demand for travel insurance
Travel protection is bringing peace of mind for travelers and positive rewards for suppliers.... Read More