Travel Inspiration

News / Online

Airbnb removes 100,000 listings, expands listing verification

By Morgan Hines | March 4, 2024

As part of its “spring update,” Airbnb shared news of de-listings, verification, highlights and more. 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 / Technology

AI check-in: Trip.com seeks to create “perfect trip for a better world” with TripGenie

By Morgan Hines | February 29, 2024

In the past year, users engaging with TripGenie used the Trip.com app for a "remarkable" 20 minutes or more - double the length of app users not engaging with the tool. 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

Opinion / Online

What hotels can learn from Amazon, Netflix and the OTAs

By Frank Reeves - SHR Group | February 23, 2024

The hotel industry finds itself at a crossroads: Change its strategy or lose guests. It’s not about mimicking the OTAs, but learning from their approach to build direct, meaningful relationships with... Read More

News / Technology

AI check-in: MakeMyTrip sees conversion boost from AI implementations

By Morgan Hines | February 22, 2024

MakeMyTrip group chief technology officer Sanjay Mohan discusses what the company is learning - and the business impacts - from its artificial intelligence strategy. Read More

News / Technology

Q&A: Conor Grennan on how travel companies can use generative AI as a strategic advantage

By Mitra Sorrells | February 16, 2024

The NYU Stern dean and consultant on generative AI explains why it is a change management issue and so much more than a simple tool - and why training employees how to use it is like "giving them an... Read More

News / Technology

Priceline expands generative AI chatbot across all products on its platform

By Mitra Sorrells | February 13, 2024

Priceline said it has created more than 30 new features built on intelligence it has gathered from millions of customers that have used the technology since it debuted in June. Read More

News / Technology

Generative AI check-in: HomeToGo on integrating artificial intelligence across its platform

By Morgan Hines | February 13, 2024

PhocusWire is checking in with travel companies that were early adopters of generative artificial intelligence around a year after brands began implementing the technology. Read More

News / Startups

Startup travel planner Layla acquires AI-itinerary builder Roam Around

By Mitra Sorrells | February 12, 2024

Roam Around founder Shie Gabbai is now chief operating officer at Layla, a startup that launched last fall with backing from travel veterans Andy Phillipps, Barry Smith and Brent Hoberman. Read More

News / Technology

Trip.com Group creates travel app for Apple Vision Pro

By Morgan Hines | February 5, 2024

Trip.com Group's Trip.Vision app is intended to bring realistic destination experiences to users at home - enabling them to to virtually explore places including Antarctica, the Maldives, Mount Everest... Read More

Interview / Startups

STARTUP STAGE: MintPass helps travelers document journeys, inspire others

By Morgan Hines | February 2, 2024

The goal of MintPass is to create a platform for travelers to document their adventures through seamless collecting in a way that doesn’t take away from the experience itself. Read More

News / Online

Assessing the effectiveness of influencer marketing in travel

By Morgan Hines | February 1, 2024

Windstar Cruises is the latest company to bolster its influencer marketing strategy, recently announcing a partnership with Jerne, which helps to facilitate connections with influencers. Read More

News / Startups

Joyned receives $8M in funding

By Morgan Hines | January 31, 2024

Joyned enables online travel agencies, hotels and other booking sites to offer group travel planning and booking on their websites, to create a seamless and collaborative booking process. Read More

Most Popular
Latest Stories