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.

Redeam $7.7M funding
News / Startups
Redeam gets $7.7M from travel execs and brands to push activity ticket tech
By Mitra Sorrells | March 5, 2018
Redeam's digital ticketing technology addresses a genuine need in the tours and activities market, and... Read More
Tours tech provider BookingKit closes Series B funding round
News / Startups
Tours tech provider BookingKit closes Series B funding round
By Jill Menze | February 28, 2018
German tours and activities startup BookingKit has secured a Series B funding round understood to... Read More
Triple acquires Local Guddy
News / Startups
Triple buys travel experiences competitor Local Guddy
By Mitra Sorrells | February 26, 2018
Triple, a digital marketplace that connects travelers with local hosts for activities and experiences,... Read More
KKday $10.5M funding round
News / Startups
KKday raises $10.5M to expand tours and activities platform
By Mitra Sorrells | February 23, 2018
Taiwan-based experiences distributor KKday has secured $10.5 million in funding to expand its service... Read More
Hostaway vacation rental system funding
News / Startups
Hostaway secures €700K to expand distribution tool for thriving rental market
By Mitra Sorrells | February 22, 2018
Helsinki, Finland-based Hostaway has raised €700,000 in funding to grow its vacation rental channel... Read More
RVshare $50M funding
News / Startups
RVshare raises $50M from team that funded HomeAway
By Mitra Sorrells | February 20, 2018
RVshare, a peer-to-peer recreational vehicle rental platform, has secured a $50 investment from... Read More
Top reasons why startups end up in the deadpool
News / Startups
Top reasons why startups end up in the deadpool
By Kevin May | February 16, 2018
The travel industry is littered with the remains of startups that came and went quicker than you can... Read More
Battling external forces: How a startup competes in the tours market
News / Online
Battling external forces: How a startup competes in the tours market
By Jill Menze | February 14, 2018
The travel industry has yet to see a clear frontrunner emerge in the tours and attractions space. Be... Read More
outdoorsy rv marketplace funds
News / Startups
Peer-to-peer RV marketplace Outdoorsy drives away with $25M
By Mitra Sorrells | February 13, 2018
Outdoorsy, a sharing economy startup connecting owners of recreational vehicles with interested... Read More
Cool Cousin guide app blockchain
News / Startups
Local guide app Cool Cousin pivots to blockchain
By Mitra Sorrells | February 13, 2018
When Nadav Saadia and his co-founders launched “Cool Cousin” in 2016, they were aiming to create a new... Read More
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