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.

lokckchain booking disruption
News / Distribution
Is this the start of blockchain-based disruption for travel?
By Mitra Sorrells | January 22, 2018
LockChain - what may be the first blockchain-based marketplace for booking hotels and private... Read More
Travel tech deals reach record $5.3BN annual level
News / Startups
Travel tech deals reach record $5.3BN annual level
By Kevin May | January 15, 2018
Five years of consecutive growth have been recorded for travel technology investment deals, with a... Read More
How Chinese investments are shaking up India's digital economy
Notated News / Startups
How Chinese investments are shaking up India's digital economy
By Madhav Chanchani - Economic Times | January 15, 2018
When online grocer Bigbasket went to market in early 2017 to raise capital just a year after securing... Read More
UK-based Snaptrip raises £2.1M, acquires Last Minute Cottages
News / Startups
UK-based Snaptrip raises £2.1M, acquires Last Minute Cottages
By Jill Menze | January 12, 2018
With a recent investment round tallying £2.1 million, Snaptrip has acquired Last Minute Cottages and... Read More
CityStasher expansion funding
News / Startups
"Airbnb for luggage" expands in Europe following $1.1M funding
By Mitra Sorrells | January 11, 2018
London-based startup CityStasher, which describes itself as the “Airbnb for luggage,” has raised $1.1... Read More
Timescenery and Baarb push AI-driven results to fix travel search
News / Startups
Timescenery and Baarb push AI-driven results to fix travel search
By Mitra Sorrells | January 10, 2018
Timescenery, a travel planning site that combines data from suppliers with crowdsourced experiences... Read More
Video: Three approaches to running a travel startup
News / Startups
Video: Three approaches to running a travel startup
By Kevin May | January 9, 2018
One has taken in around $450 million funding. Another hasn't brought in any outside capital... Read More
asia-pacific-travel-startups-2
News / Startups
Research Spotlight: Travel startups in Asia Pacific
By PhocusWire | January 3, 2018
Many believe the natural center of the travel startup world is starting to shift east, in the... Read More
PhocusWire Forecast 2018: Oligarchs and Incubators
News / Technology
PhocusWire Forecast 2018: Oligarchs and Incubators
By PhocusWire | December 22, 2017
With 2018 around the corner, Phocuswright and PhocusWire are presenting snapshots of the 12 trends we... Read More
PhocusWire Forecast 2018: Our view on Startups
Opinion / Startups
PhocusWire Forecast 2018: Our view on Startups
By PhocusWire | December 18, 2017
The notion that business-to-business travel startups have a far higher chance of succeeding than... Read More
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