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 Insights: Generative AI in tour operating
News / Technology
AI Insights: Generative AI in tour operating
By PhocusWire | May 26, 2023
TUI Group's chief technology officer Pieter Jordaan answers our questions on how the company is working with generative artificial intelligence technology. Read More
Startups selected for first round of Global Startup Pitch
News / Startups
Startups selected for first round of Global Startup Pitch
By PhocusWire | May 15, 2023
The judging criteria applied to the startups throughout the competition include viability, customer appeal, technical innovation, sustainability, team and the X factor.  Read More
Viatu lands $1M for sustainable multi-day tours platform
News / Startups
Viatu lands $1M for sustainable multi-day tours platform
By Linda Fox | May 3, 2023
The investment was led by Ndoto with ASI Reisen and a number of angel investors also participating. Read More
Constellation Software invests in hotel-travel marketplace
News / Distribution
Constellation Software invests in hotel-travel marketplace
By Derek Catron | April 21, 2023
Roibos' platform offers transparent and direct connectivity between hoteliers and travel operators. The undisclosed investment will enable Roibos to accelerate its growth and expand its global presence.... Read More
Peakwork acquired by Constellation Software
News / Technology
Peakwork acquired by Constellation Software
By Linda Fox | April 17, 2023
Germany-based Peakwork joins Constellation’s Vela Software division, one of six that focus on travel, aviation and other sectors. Read More
Airbnb Experiences
News / Online
Airbnb pauses new Experiences after predicting growth
By Kathryn Walson | April 17, 2023
The pause comes a year after CEO Brian Chesky called Airbnb Experiences a “massive, massive opportunity” and a “big area of investment in the coming years.”  Read More
Beeyonder virtual tours
News / Startups
Beeyonder sees future for virtual tours despite Heygo shuttering
By Kathryn Walson | April 17, 2023
Boston-based virtual tours company Beeyonder has found that the pre-paid model is largely what makes it sustainable. Companies pay corporate rates for tours. Read More
Thames River lovetovisit
News / Startups
Lovetovisit.com gets £2.1M to fund expansion
By Derek Catron | April 7, 2023
Funding includes £250,000 from Zip World, which offers zip lines and other adventures across the United Kingdom. Read More
corporate travel group
News / Startups
AllFly raises $2.4M to expand group and corporate travel
By Derek Catron | March 30, 2023
New investment in the company formerly known as Bacarai was led by Lightbank with participation from Corazon Capital.   Read More
ZaNiheza team
Interview / Online
Chasing a dream to digitalize immersive travel in Africa
By Derek Catron | March 30, 2023
Charles Shima’s ZaNiheza is building a digital mall for immersive experiences in Africa and beyond.   Read More
STARTUP STAGE: Orbzii wants to make travel planning easier
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Orbzii wants to make travel planning easier
By Linda Fox | March 27, 2023
App-based Orbzii brings together flights and hotels and employs artificial intelligence to enable consumers to filter options and put together a trip as well as discuss it and share it with... Read More
Jerne Startup Stage
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Jerne connects travel companies with social media creators
By Kathryn Walson | March 20, 2023
Jerne is an SaaS platform for creators and experience providers to manage their relationships, navigate commercial agreements and track affiliate sales and marketing ROI. Read More
Captain Experiences funding round
News / Online
Outdoor sports booking platform Captain Experiences reels in $2M
By Kathryn Walson | March 14, 2023
While the Austin, Texas-based startup is currently catering to the fishing and hunting verticals, it plans to expand across all outdoor sports and geographies. Read More
TourConnect tool
News / Technology
TourConnect releases booking automation tool
By Derek Catron | March 9, 2023
The reservations-focused tool drastically reduces time spent manually processing email bookings by using intelligent technology.   Read More
TUI loyalty
News / Online
TUI to launch loyalty program built on guest “convenience”
By Linda Fox | March 8, 2023
Sebastian Ebel, speaking at ITB in Berlin, says he has been impressed with what hotel groups such as Hilton have done, describing its program as a "convenience product." Read More