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.

Offline part 1 agencies
News / Distribution
Back in the offline world, part 1: Travel agency endurance
By Mitra Sorrells | September 4, 2018
First up in this month’s series on the offline travel market, we look at the traditional agency model to understand the audience it still serves and how it has continued to stay relevant. Read More
The ultimate directory for tours and activities
From Our Partners / Distribution
The ultimate directory for tours and activities
By Douglas Quinby - Arival | September 4, 2018
The list of online travel resellers in tours, activities and attractions is long and constantly changing. At Arival we’ve been hard at work compiling them. Read More
indian bleisure travelers
News / Online
Bleisure on the rise among Indian business travelers
By Mitra Sorrells | August 31, 2018
Business travelers from India are increasingly investing time and money to add leisure experiences to their work trips.  Read More
Is there enough room for another one-stop shop like Airbnb?
News / Online
Is there enough room for another one-stop shop like Airbnb?
By Kevin May | August 29, 2018
It's worth remembering that Airbnb was the feisty little upstart of the travel, tourism and hospitality industry not too long ago - before it became a power player. Read More
Surveying the travel startup landscape, part 4: Exit strategy
News / Startups
Surveying the travel startup landscape, part 4: Exit strategy
By Mitra Sorrells | August 28, 2018
For the final piece in our month-long series on startups, we gathered learnings from three companies that have been purchased in recent years. Read More
Tech comes of age in tours and activities
Opinion / Technology
Tech comes of age in tours and activities
By David Juman - Phocuswright | August 27, 2018
There is some irony to the fact that, when it comes to arranging their leisure tours and activities, travelers often have little choice but to reserve and book offline. Read More
ota hotel profitability
Opinion / Online
Online travel agency moves harming profitability: What hotels need to know
By Max Starkov - HEBS Digital | August 24, 2018
Two recent events in hotel distribution created a mild media buzz, but unfortunately were ignored by some hoteliers and quickly forgotten by the industry: Expedia’s Add‐On Advantage and Booking.Basic. Read More
Using data to help shift tours and activities from mobile-friendly to mobile-optimised
From Our Partners / Technology
Using data to help shift tours and activities from mobile-friendly to mobile-optimised
By Sponsored Content | August 21, 2018
Sponsored by Checkfront. The go-to statistic when discussing the potential of tours and activities comes from research which says the sector will be worth “$183 billion by 2020.” That sum repres Read More
Ctrip adds tours and activities inventory to Trip.com
News / Online
Ctrip adds tours and activities inventory to Trip.com
By Jill Menze | August 21, 2018
Ctrip is bringing tours and activities to more customers by adding its Things to Do product to Trip.com. Read More
Using customer service as a growth tool for travel tech providers
Opinion / Technology
Using customer service as a growth tool for travel tech providers
By Lukas Hempel - BookingKit | August 20, 2018
The game for tour and activity software providers is decided by winning over new suppliers and monetizing them. Read More
Taiwan startup FunNow raises 5 million
News / Startups
FunNow raises $5M to expand tours and activities in Southeast Asia and Japan
By Mitra Sorrells | August 16, 2018
FunNow, a Taiwan-based instant booking app for entertainment and leisure activities, has raised $5 million Series A funding led by Alibaba Entrepreneur Fund.  Read More
Wegogo blockchain travel platform
News / Distribution
Wegogo aims for fair-share travel platform, alternative to web agency dominance
By Mitra Sorrells | August 14, 2018
In the midst of growth plans, Wegogo is forging ahead with the introduction of blockchain-based tech and the creation of its cryptocurrency known as WeGold. Read More
Dnata acquires German tour operator Tropo
News / Distribution
Dnata acquires German tour operator Tropo
By Mitra Sorrells | August 13, 2018
Dnata, a Dubai-based provider of ground handling, cargo, travel and flight catering services for 300 airline customers in six continents, has acquired German tour operator Tropo. Read More
Surveying the travel startup landscape, part 2: Front line tips from the founders
News / Startups
Surveying the travel startup landscape, part 2: Front line tips from the founders
By Mitra Sorrells | August 13, 2018
For the second piece in our series on startups, we go to the front lines to gather insights from three startup founders.   Read More
Startup Pitch - GuruWalk offers free walking tours for travelers, tips welcome
News / Distribution
Startup Pitch - GuruWalk offers free walking tours for travelers, tips welcome
By Martin Cowen | August 13, 2018
Have you heard? The tours and activities sector is quite exciting at the moment... A flurry of big deals and funding - Booking buying Fareharbor, Tripadvisor buying Bokun, Klook raising another $20 Read More