Travel Inspiration

Uptrip - Launch pitch at Phocuswright Europe 2023
Interview / Startups
Uptrip - Launch pitch at Phocuswright Europe 2023
By PhocusWire | July 25, 2023
Uptrip rewards travelers every time they fly with digital trading cards that provide perks such as free Wi-Fi or lounge access.   Read More
How Chinese OTAs turned around 3 years of COVID isolation
News / Online
How Chinese OTAs turned around 3 years of COVID isolation
By Gary Bowerman - Phocuswright | July 24, 2023
Phocuswright analyst Gary Bowerman explores the strategies Chinese OTAs have taken to remain competitive over the last few years.   Read More
Hotel bookings via mobile device continue to edge north
News / Online
Hotel bookings via mobile device continue to edge north
By Linda Fox | July 21, 2023
Affilired has been charting the rise in hotel bookings via mobile in recent years and reported a marked increase in the first quarter of 2023. Read More
AI Insights: Generative AI and personalization
News / Technology
AI Insights: Generative AI and personalization
By PhocusWire | June 29, 2023
Skyscanner CTO Andrew Phillips answers our questions about how the company is working with generative artificial intelligence technology. Read More
How travel brands are finding a voice on TikTok
News / Online
How travel brands are finding a voice on TikTok
By Linda Fox | June 28, 2023
TikTok's Hannah Bennett shares some of the current trends for travel on the platform as well as how brands including BA and Hilton are finding their voice. Read More
Booking.com adds conversational trip planning with ChatGPT
News / Technology
Booking.com adds conversational trip planning with ChatGPT
By Mitra Sorrells | June 27, 2023
For now the chat platform is integrated only with Booking.com’s accommodation booking experience, but the company plans to add flights, ground transportation and other trip components in the future. Read More
New apps aim to help Black travelers find safe, seamless journeys
News / Technology
New apps aim to help Black travelers find safe, seamless journeys
By Nicole Edenedo – Travel Weekly | June 21, 2023
Technology is at the center of an expanding global safety net for Black travelers, as more entrepreneurs create apps that connect them with Black communities abroad.   Read More
STARTUP STAGE: Overlap helps travelers track friends made along the way
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Overlap helps travelers track friends made along the way
By Derek Catron | June 20, 2023
With personalized recommendations, location-based alerts and features that allow users to track and log their travels, Overlap is a comprehensive and user-friendly tool that helps travelers stay... Read More
Could generative AI make Google Maps a full travel app?
News / Technology
Could generative AI make Google Maps a full travel app?
By Linda Fox | June 16, 2023
A Lufthansa Innovation Hub study explores how generative AI could be the final piece of the map-based travel planning puzzle. Read More
WeSki - Launch pitch winner at Phocuswright Europe 2023
Interview / Startups
WeSki - Launch pitch winner at Phocuswright Europe 2023
By PhocusWire | June 14, 2023
WeSki is a self-service platform for planning, comparing, booking and customizing ski trips, providing real-time prices and availability.  Read More
Trip.com unveils Trekki NFT to unite travel and Web3
News / Online
Trip.com unveils Trekki NFT to unite travel and Web3
By Linda Fox | June 5, 2023
Later this year the Singapore-based brand plans to sell 10,000 dolphin-themed NFTs, with its benefits tied to how much the token holder travels. Read More
Atly plots mapping platform updates with $18M investment
News / Startups
Atly plots mapping platform updates with $18M investment
By Linda Fox | May 31, 2023
Investment in the Israel-based company has come from Target Global, Tal Ventures and FKA Brands. Read More
Travel’s ChatGPT adventure raises hopes and questions
News / Technology
Travel’s ChatGPT adventure raises hopes and questions
By Derek Catron | May 26, 2023
PhocusWire’s latest roundup of how travel companies are utilizing ChatGPT shows a wide range of approaches.   Read More
6 ways visual UGC is evolving in the travel sector
Opinion / Online
6 ways visual UGC is evolving in the travel sector
By Damien Mahoney - Nosto | May 25, 2023
Authentic, visual user-generated content shared on the likes of TikTok, Instagram and other social channels is becoming central to how travel companies are marketing themselves. Read More
Google unveils generative AI boost to search
News / Online
Google unveils generative AI boost to search
By Linda Fox | May 24, 2023
During its Google Marketing Live event this week the company shared a number of updates including an example of how its search generative experience could work. Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2026