Tours & Activities

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PhocusWire's in-depth coverage of the tours, activities and activities sector is produced in partnership with Arival, the essential resource for the in-destination experiences industry.

Opinion / Online

Key trends driving innovation in tours and packages

By Manuel Hilty - Nezasa | March 22, 2024

Changes in consumer expectations along with the fact technology for selling multi-day tours is still in its infancy create a strong need for technical innovation in the tours and package business. Read More

News / Startups

Travelers can now purchase AI-created customized audio tours for any destination

By Mitra Sorrells | March 20, 2024

Travelers specify the location, duration and language for the tour, as well as if they have preferences of a theme or specific sites and then moderators review the AI-generated guide before sending it... Read More

News / Distribution

GetYourGuide adds tools to help partners tap into growing traveler interest in experiences

By Mitra Sorrells | March 19, 2024

GetYourGuide's is unveiling multiple new capabilities to help operators "create, manage and grow" their businesses, including artificial intelligence-powered keyword and location suggestions for product... Read More

News / Online

Experts: Why Tripadvisor Plus didn’t pan out

By Jamie Biesiada – Travel Weekly | March 12, 2024

Analysts say the shutdown of the struggling service may be part of an attempt to streamline Tripadvisor after its parent company said last month that it was exploring a potential sale. Read More

News / Technology

Way launches new tools to help hotels offer experiences

By D.J. Catron | March 12, 2024

The technology company’s new products allow hotels to manage and sell experiences without the need for third-party technologies that take customers off the hotel's website. Read More

News / Online

Airbnb's Stephenson on expansion beyond the core and AI

By PhocusWire | March 12, 2024

Airbnb announced CFO Dave Stephenson would be taking up the newly created role of chief business officer to oversee its growth plans. Read More

News / Online

GetYourGuide is hiring a TikTok content creator: Here’s why

By Morgan Hines | March 11, 2024

Despite accelerating efforts to ban TikTok in the United States, GetYourGuide's job opening for a dedicated TikTok creator has received overwhelming interest. Read More

News / Technology

WTTC partners with Oliver Wyman to drive sustainability in travel

By Linda Fox | March 7, 2024

WTTC and Oliver Wyman are helping the industry navigate the regulatory landscape when it comes to sustainability, while startups BeCause and Weeva are helping hotels with data collection and insights. Read More

News / Online

Tripadvisor Plus is shutting down after three years

By Morgan Hines | March 1, 2024

In remarks at the Phocuswright Conference in November, Tripadvisor CEO Matt Goldberg said the company would focus on the benefits of free membership versus trying to build the paid subscription program. Read More

News / Online

Rezdy-Checkfront-Regiondo booking system rollup sees management shakeup

By Douglas Quinby and Bruce Rosard – Arival | February 26, 2024

The previous leadership from Rezdy and Checkfront have left the company as details emerge about the combined entity of reservation systems for tour and activity operators. Read More

News / Online

Culture Trip website sold to U.S. media company

By Linda Fox | February 26, 2024

U.S. media company U.S. News & World Report has boosted its existing travel content services with the acquisition of theculturetrip.com website. Read More

News / Online

What happens when travelers find tours too authentic?

By Morgan Hines | February 26, 2024

An “authentic” experience that included a fried dog in a local market set off a lively discussion of what responsibilities tour operators — and travelers — bear when encountering unfamiliar cultures. Read More

News / Online

Booking Holdings will appeal $530M fine by Spanish competition authority

By Mitra Sorrells | February 22, 2024

Booking Holdings reported its fourth quarter and full year 2023 earnings late Thursday, with records across multiple financial metrics including revenue that soared 40% higher than 2019. Read More

News / Online

With speculation of a sale in the air, Tripadvisor reports record revenue driven – again – by Viator

By Mitra Sorrells | February 14, 2024

Two days after announcing it has created a special committee and retained a mergers and acquisition advisory firm, Tripadvisor reported an all-time high for revenue in 2023 led by a 49% growth in... Read More