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.

AI travel software provider Maya raises €1M
News / Startups
AI travel software provider Maya raises €1M
By Morgan Hines | February 27, 2025
The funding, which included investors such as Lighthouse, will be used to fuel global growth and further develop the company's white-label AI assistant.   Read More
Dertour Group acquires remaining Hotelplan Group brands
News / Online
Dertour Group acquires remaining Hotelplan Group brands
By Morgan Hines | February 12, 2025
Following HomeToGo's acquisition of Interhome, Dertour Group has acquired the remaining Hotelplan Group businesses from Migros. Read More
Exoticca receives €25M to expand presence, build out AI technology
News / Technology
Exoticca receives €25M to expand presence, build out AI technology
By Morgan Hines | February 11, 2025
The €25 million comes in the form of a venture debt facility from BBVA Spark, following the company’s recently completed €60 million Series D round which was headed up by Quadrille Capital. Read More
Intrepid builds on $1B ambition with acquisition of Sawadee
News / Online
Intrepid builds on $1B ambition with acquisition of Sawadee
By Linda Fox | February 4, 2025
Intrepid said the acquisition of the Netherlands-based company will add $62 million in revenue and 20,000 customers a year. Read More
CEO Spotlight: Lisa Chen of ToursByLocals
News / Technology
CEO Spotlight: Lisa Chen of ToursByLocals
By Morgan Hines | January 31, 2025
ToursByLocals is poised for growth with a recently updated technology base intended to improve the 15-year-old private tour company’s strategy, according to CEO Lisa Chen. Read More
Hotels saw average booking value increase through direct channels in '24
News / Distribution
Hotels saw average booking value increase through direct channels in '24
By Linda Fox | January 22, 2025
Hotels continue to broaden their distribution mix with new B2B and B2C partners entering the rankings of top booking sources in SiteMinder's annual trends report. Read More
B2B hotel platform HBX Group to raise €725M through IPO
News / Distribution
B2B hotel platform HBX Group to raise €725M through IPO
By Linda Fox | January 17, 2025
HBX Group was founded in Spain in 2001 as B2B bedbank Hotelbeds. Read More
Keybrain - Launch pitch at The Phocuswright Conference 2024
Interview / Distribution
Keybrain - Launch pitch at The Phocuswright Conference 2024
By PhocusWire | December 24, 2024
KeyBrain is a new artificial intelligence-powered travel booking and management portal for multi-day tours. Read More
The top 10 news stories on PhocusWire in 2024
News / Online
The top 10 news stories on PhocusWire in 2024
By PhocusWire | December 19, 2024
Travel industry mergers, hot startups and news about online giants such as Airbnb and Expedia all made the list of top 10 most popular news stories on PhocusWire in 2024. Read More
How simplified cross-border payments can empower both travel brands and travelers
From Our Partners / Technology
How simplified cross-border payments can empower both travel brands and travelers
By PhocusWire | December 17, 2024
Now as it enters its second decade of operation, TerraPay is leaning into its digital-first solutions for cross-border payments to fuel its growth around the globe.   Read More
CDS Groupe acquires enterprise resource planning provider SIAP
News / Online
CDS Groupe acquires enterprise resource planning provider SIAP
By Morgan Hines | November 27, 2024
SIAP is an Italy-based provider of software for travel management companies and tour operators, with more than 1,000 clients across the country. Read More
Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2025: Chain4Travel
Interview / Startups
Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2025: Chain4Travel
By PhocusWire | November 11, 2024
Chain4Travel is the initiator of the decentralized operating system Camino Network, fostering digital innovation and solving the connectivity issue for global travel with a unique travel standard.  Read More
Traveltek latest to be acquired by Juniper Group
News / Technology
Traveltek latest to be acquired by Juniper Group
By Linda Fox | October 30, 2024
Juniper Group, part of Vela Software and Constellation Software, continues its acquisition spree with cruise and dynamic packaging tech specialist Traveltek. Read More
Thomas Cook sale to eSky Group finalized
News / Online
Thomas Cook sale to eSky Group finalized
By Linda Fox | October 22, 2024
Poland-based travel platform eSky is planning a dynamic packaging push following its acquisition of Thomas Cook, which has now been approved by regulators. Read More
HotelRunner widens distribution offering with Bookingate acquisition
News / Distribution
HotelRunner widens distribution offering with Bookingate acquisition
By Linda Fox | October 1, 2024
The acquisition broadens HotelRunner's offering, enabling it to help travel agencies, tour operators and destination management companies solve challenges with distribution as well as direct and offline... Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2026