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.

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
VIDEO: Next generation on what excites them in travel tech
News / Startups
VIDEO: Next generation on what excites them in travel tech
By Kevin May | December 12, 2017
It's usually the people at the top of big companies that get all the attention, both in terms of... Read More
Silicon Valley should not be complacent about China
Notated News / Startups
Silicon Valley should not be complacent about China
By Minh-Ha Nguyen - Fortune | December 11, 2017
Chinese tech companies have become innovation leaders in some key areas in technology, with truly... Read More
Booking.com Sustainable Tourism
News / Startups
Booking.com expands startup plan for sustainable tourism
By Bernadette Giacomazzo | December 8, 2017
Booking.com is to extend its Booking Booster Program into a second year, aimed at funding startups... Read More
VIDEO: Solving a genuine multi-billion dollar problem in travel
News / Technology
VIDEO: Solving a genuine multi-billion dollar problem in travel
By Kevin May | December 6, 2017
There are a number of comments that often float about during travel startup pitch events - many of... Read More
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Travel protection is bringing peace of mind for travelers and positive rewards for suppliers.... Read More