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

OYO acquires TUI's rental tour operating business

By Kevin May | February 3, 2020

The move comes as part of a sale that began in December 2019 when Germany-based E-Domizil acquired Wolters Reisen from TUI Group for an undisclosed fee. Read More

Opinion / Online

As web cookies fade, travel brands must create a robust identity strategy

By Charles Mi - Adara | January 31, 2020

Recent announcements and others expected in the coming months could diminish cookie volume online - so travel brands need to evaluate new methodologies for personalization and consumer insights. Read More

News / Online

Furthering its digital ambitions, Lonely Planet launches experiences

By Linda Fox | January 23, 2020

Lonely Planet Experiences launches via a partnership with Intrepid Travel to offer day and multi-day sustainable tours. Read More

News / Distribution

Travel and tourism organizations push for action on climate emergency

By Linda Fox | January 15, 2020

Travel companies and organizations have joined forces to take steps to reduce carbon emissions, while a report assesses the total impact of a holiday from transport to food. Read More

News / Distribution

ToursByLocals survives decade of bootstrapping, raises $33M to accelerate growth

By Steven Lerner | January 13, 2020

Tritium Partners is leading the investment and is receiving a minority equity stake in the company. Read More

Interview / Online

In The Big Chair - Justin Francis of Responsible Travel

By Linda Fox | January 7, 2020

The online travel agency was one of the first to offer carbon offsetting in 2002, just a year after co-founder Justin Francis created the brand with Harold Goodwin. Read More

From Our Partners / Technology

The digital travel revolution, next-gen consumers and the role of insurance

By PhocusWire | January 6, 2020

Over the course of two interviews, PhocusWire spoke to Beth Godlin, president at the Aon Travel Practice, about a wide range of issues in the travel industry. Read More

From Our Partners / Technology

Travel tech: A glimpse into the future

By PhocusWire | December 24, 2019

Travel Technology Europe is back for its 17th year on February 26-27, 2020, and will once again be offering visitors a glimpse into the future of travel marketing, booking and technology. Read More

News / Startups

Guided tours startup GuruWalk raises €1M to fuel pay-as-you-go model

By Steven Lerner | December 17, 2019

GuruWalk, a Spanish startup specializing in tip-based guided tours, has secured €1 million in seed round funding. Read More

Opinion / Technology

Why voice is the travel marketers’s next destination

By Joel Davis - Mighty Social | November 20, 2019

A new voice-enabled era for travel is coming, and now is the time for brands to take advantage of it. Read More

Opinion / Technology

Why are tour operators neglecting machine learning?

By Nigel Beighton - chief information officer, Atcore | November 13, 2019

Machine learning is underused in the travel industry, yet it could significantly improve efficiency. Read More

Opinion / Distribution

Surviving Thomas Cook: Damage to hotel ecosystem shows distribution mix is vital anywhere

By Douglas Green - Duetto | October 17, 2019

For those hotels now in the eye of the Thomas Cook storm, better days could lie ahead if they get more strategic with their channel distribution. Read More

Opinion / Technology

When it comes to LiDAR and the opportunities in travel, Elon Musk is wrong

By Sam Kamel - iinside | October 9, 2019

Rather than dramatically ringing the death knell for LiDAR, Musk's comments earlier this year merely underscore the fact that LiDAR has an awareness issue, no pun intended. Read More

Opinion / Online

The influencer marketing metrics travel brands are missing

By Rachel Jean-Firchau - Nativo | October 4, 2019

Influencers aren’t publishers, they’re people. While they might have incredible reach, most are focused on awareness and storytelling, not on driving bookings or conversions. Read More