Tour Operator

PhocusWire's in-depth coverage of the tour operator sector, featuring news, analysis, interviews, research and more on the brands in multi-day, single-day and packages, including their strategies, executives and positions in the market.

News / Online

RocketRez acquisition adds AI tech to guest experience

By Kathryn Walson | March 3, 2023

TourOpp Go! says its chatbot technology automates communication between tourist attractions and ticket buyers. Read More

Interview / Startups

STARTUP STAGE: Travel platform Mapathink targets Southeast Asia

By Kathryn Walson | February 27, 2023

By disrupting the travel ancillary services market, Mapathink says it is looking at a huge addressable market. Read More

News / Technology

Data and personalization business BD4 shutting up shop

By Linda Fox | February 16, 2023

A statement from Dnata Travel and BD4’s founders says the decision was made following a strategic and commercial review looking at market conditions and growth prospects. Read More

News / Technology

Autonomous vehicles break into tours and attractions

By Kathryn Walson | February 6, 2023

GoCar is preparing to roll out self-driving electric vehicles, with a Las Vegas demonstration tentatively scheduled for March 10. Read More

News / Online

Travelers seek more adventure, ways to pay, report shows

By Derek Catron | January 27, 2023

WeTravel's look at travel trends sees push for more customization and payment flexibility after COVID. Read More

Opinion / Online

How travel brands can activate first-party data

By Dave Goulden - Sojern | January 23, 2023

Travel companies need to prepare for cookies going away and learn to use first-party data in sophisticated ways to create a personalized customer experience. Read More

News / Startups

Profit optimization solution Hotelmize raises $12M

By Mitra Sorrells | January 11, 2023

Hotelmize uses its artificial intelligence and room mapping technology to monitor fluctuations in hotel rates, analyze its partners reservations and optimize their profits. Read More

Interview / Startups

STARTUP STAGE: Away Together aims to elevate guest experience

By Kathryn Walson | January 9, 2023

The Away Together platform allows for accommodations to communicate with their guests as well as for guests to communicate with one another. Read More

News / Online

WeTravel CEO steps aside, takes product role

By Linda Fox | January 6, 2023

Co-founder and CEO Johannes Koeppel moves to the role of chief product officer for the company, which claims to have seen double-digit client and transaction volume growth since 2021. Read More

Interview / Technology

VIDEO: Mobi - Phocuswright Conference launch innovator

By PhocusWire | December 20, 2022

Mobi is a B2B trip planning technology company offering two products - Agent for travel suppliers and Agent for Agents for travel agents. Read More

News / Technology

TTC launches carbon fund to reach net zero

By Linda Fox | December 5, 2022

After a year of reviewing possible routes towards achieving net zero by 2050, The Travel Corporation (TTC), whose brands include Trafalgar Tours, Contiki Tours and Uniworld River Cruises, opted for the... Read More

News / Online

GetYourGuide to phase out Originals product

By Douglas Quinby - Arival | November 16, 2022

The Berlin-based OTA is expected to end all of its Originals branded tours by the end of the year. Read More

News / Online

New initiative forms to foster collaboration on climate change

By Kathryn Walson | November 14, 2022

The global TT4T initiative aims to engage the travel tech community in developing new solutions, which will be pilot-tested and refined through destination-level partners. Read More

News / Online

Move to digital gains momentum in tours and activities sector

By Kathryn Walson | October 14, 2022

Online travel agencies will continue to accelerate the move to digital. And with niche OTAs entering the tours and activities market, consolidation is likely on the horizon. Read More