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.

Where angel investors should place their bets in travel
News / Startups
Where angel investors should place their bets in travel
By Chris Hemmeter - Thayer Ventures | December 6, 2017
The retreat of angel and seed stage funding is not just a travel tech phenomena. But that doesn't mean... Read More
Tech rental ecosystem grows: MyVR lands $6.1M
News / Startups
Tech rental ecosystem grows: MyVR lands $6.1M
By Kevin May | December 6, 2017
MyVR is the latest company to capitalize on the emerging sub-network of services around providing... Read More
It sucks to launch a travel startup (but you still should)
News / Startups
It sucks to launch a travel startup (but you still should)
By Jenny Silber - VoyagerHQ | December 4, 2017
Starting a company in the travel industry is hard. 96% of travel companies fail in the first 5 years... Read More
Early-stage VC funding is imploding, and no one will talk about it
Notated News / Startups
Early-stage VC funding is imploding, and no one will talk about it
By Victor Basta - TechCrunch | December 1, 2017
Amid record amounts of capital raised by VCs worldwide, there has been a quiet, barely noticed... Read More
Startups and model shifts - every PundIT Show so far
News / Startups
Startups and model shifts - every PundIT Show so far
By Kevin May | December 1, 2017
We hosted eight of the initial run of PhocusWire PundIT Shows over the course of almost three days at... Read More
Despegar raises $254 million from IPO
News / Startups
Despegar raises $254 million from IPO
By Bernadette Giacomazzo | December 1, 2017
Latin America-focused online travel agency Despegar will use the proceeds from its recent public... Read More
Three ways to tackle attractions with online personalization
Opinion / Online
Three ways to tackle attractions with online personalization
By Alex Bainbridge - DestinationCTO | November 30, 2017
The last month has been rather busy in the world of tours and activities, with three significant... Read More
Travel startup investments rise (but low level deals fall)
News / Startups
Travel startup investments rise (but low level deals fall)
By Kevin May | November 30, 2017
Travel technology and online startups have raised a massive $15 billion since 2013 across 1,300 deals... Read More
PCwire-studio-2017
News / Startups
VIDEO: PhocusWire PundIT Show - Episode 8
By Kevin May | November 27, 2017
With almost three days of activity on-stage and lots of gossip in the hallways, our three guests have... Read More
pundit-show-chairs
News / Startups
VIDEO: PhocusWire PundIT Show - Episode 7
By Kevin May | November 23, 2017
The penultimate outing of the special PundIT Shows at The Phocuswright Conference is a terrific... Read More
Sponsored Content
From Our Partners
Why travel marketers need to look beyond search
November 12, 2026
Why travel marketers need to look beyond search
The Trade Desk's Kelly Covato discusses how AI, travel media networks and new approaches to... Read More
Beyond ADR and RevPAR: A more complete view of hotel performance
November 11, 2026
Beyond ADR and RevPAR: A more complete view of hotel performance
Hotels can look beyond occupancy, ADR and RevPAR with forward-looking metrics that reveal... Read More
Inside the PayPal-Sabre-Mindtrip playbook for agentic travel booking
November 5, 2026
Inside the PayPal-Sabre-Mindtrip playbook for agentic travel booking
PayPal's Nixon Dinh and Sabre's Brad Johnson discuss the technology, infrastructure and trust... Read More