Travel Booking

News / Technology

Hotels push live ChatGPT integrations as AI search goes bookable

By Matthew Parsons | October 23, 2025

Following OpenAI’s launch of “ChatGPT apps,” experts predict that AI search platforms will soon be able to display hotels' real-time availability and rates. Read More

News / Online

Grab introduces third-party partner apps

By Abby Crotty | October 22, 2025

Grab has partnered with five service apps that are now available on Grab's app in Singapore and Malaysia. Read More

News / Online

When travel isn’t first: How economic strains are changing consumer behavior

By Phocuswright Research | October 22, 2025

While major trip components continue to be booked at similar rates, the way travelers research, plan and choose is shifting beneath the surface. Read More

News / Startups

The Middle East travel startup atmosphere is buzzing

By Morgan Hines | October 22, 2025

As the Middle East sees rapid travel growth, its startup environment is characterized by ambition and innovation with government support, according to travel stakeholders. Read More

News / Technology

Airbnb adds social tools for experiences and updates host capabilities

By Abby Crotty | October 21, 2025

Guests can now interact with other travelers they meet on experiences, while hosts can set new cancellation policies and access price tips. Read More

News / Online

Hostelworld boosts social strategy with acquisition of OccasionGenius

By Linda Fox | October 21, 2025

Hostelworld described the acquisition as "a natural progression" of the growth strategy announced earlier this year. Read More

News / Online

Rapid Fire with Jeff Kim of Yanolja

By Abby Crotty | October 21, 2025

As we approach The Phocuswright Conference in San Diego, PhocusWire is highlighting a number of conference speakers in a series of Q&As. Read More

Opinion / Technology

AI’s new gatekeepers: How Booking.com and Expedia are hijacking the future of travel

By Brad Brewer - Agentic Hospitality | October 21, 2025

The EU’s Digital Markets Act forces the biggest online “gatekeepers” to play fair, but it doesn’t yet cover standalone AI assistants—like ChatGPT, Gemini or Perplexity. Read More

News / Technology

Google launches Google Maps in Gemini API

By Morgan Hines | October 20, 2025

Google said the mechanism will be similar to grounding with Google Search, which provides increased accuracy, real-time information and citations. Read More

News / Online

Phocuswright names winners of the 2025 Philip C. Wolf Memorial Scholarship

By PhocusWire | October 20, 2025

Sebastián Muñoz, co-founder of Rutopía, and Jen Wong, founder and CEO of Laasie, received this year's award. Read More

News / Online

European Commission's tourism strategy will focus on 3 priorities

By Morgan Hines | October 20, 2025

Apostolos Tzitzikostas, European commissioner for sustainable transport and tourism, shared Europe’s upcoming strategic goals for travel. Read More

News / Startups

Where are they now? Catching up with the Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2023

By Mileva Sapic | October 20, 2025

Many of our Hot 25 Startups for 2023 have undergone major transformations, including significant funding rounds and strategic acquisitions. Read More

News / Technology

PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: Amex GBT, PriceLabs, Expedia, Trust My Group and more

By PhocusWire | October 17, 2025

Keep up with all the latest people, partner and product news from around the global travel industry. Read More

News / Distribution

Buy now, pay later provider Upgrade lands $165M investment

By Linda Fox | October 16, 2025

The company offers BNPL and other credit options to consumers, having acquired Uplift (now Flex Pay), a BNPL provider in travel, two years ago. Read More