Travel Inspiration

Staples tests travel agents in stores in plan to grow travel services
News / Distribution
Staples tests travel agents in stores in plan to grow travel services
By Mitra Sorrells | September 15, 2023
The office supply retailer has offered TSA PreCheck and passport services for several years and is now talking to travel industry partners about expanding its offerings. Read More
Caravelo raises €3.5M in Series A round
News / Online
Caravelo raises €3.5M in Series A round
By Morgan Hines | September 14, 2023
 Subscription-focused travel company Caravelo is looking at expanding into new markets with its series A round. Read More
Klook unveils AI tool, social media focused affiliate program
News / Technology
Klook unveils AI tool, social media focused affiliate program
By Arvindh Yuvaraj - WiT | September 11, 2023
Klook plans to integrate its K.AI trip planning tool into its Things to do activity page. The company also hopes its Kreator affiliate program will bring conversions via social media. Read More
Generative AI trip planning startup MindTrip raises $7M
News / Startups
Generative AI trip planning startup MindTrip raises $7M
By Morgan Hines | September 8, 2023
MindTrip, set to go public in beta before year's end, seeks to help travelers discover, book and plan travel in one place. Read More
Travel embraces generative AI
News / Technology
Travel embraces generative AI
By Jamie Biesiada – Travel Weekly | September 6, 2023
The industry has embraced artificial intelligence as a timesaving tool with vast potential, and advisors are studying use cases and developing best practices for deploying the nascent technology. Read More
Smartvel extends travel content with acquisition of ArrivalGuides
News / Technology
Smartvel extends travel content with acquisition of ArrivalGuides
By Linda Fox | September 5, 2023
ArrivalGuides provides destination guides in multiple languages from tourism boards and travel experts for travel brands to integrate into their websites, mobile applications and marketing campaigns. Read More
CosmoTrips no more one year after launch?
News / Online
CosmoTrips no more one year after launch?
By Linda Fox | September 1, 2023
CosmoTrips was launched a year ago by Cosmopolitan-publisher Hearst targeting a millennial and Gen Z audience. Read More
TikTok, Instagram, X: How travel startups use social media
News / Online
TikTok, Instagram, X: How travel startups use social media
By Morgan Hines | August 24, 2023
Travel startups have been using social media as a marketing tool for some time now. But with an ever-evolving social media spectrum, what remains useful? Read More
Influencers are a new class of travel agents — but lack the right tools
Opinion / Online
Influencers are a new class of travel agents — but lack the right tools
By Betsy Mulé – F-Prime Capital | August 7, 2023
Influencers have become a new breed of travel agent, yet they need a way to monetize their efforts, and travelers need the details to recreate their favorite influencers’ experiences for themselves. Read More
AI Insights: Generative AI to develop a white-label travel assistant
News / Technology
AI Insights: Generative AI to develop a white-label travel assistant
By PhocusWire | August 7, 2023
Live the World's CEO Joris Vanherp answers our questions about how the startup is using generative AI. Read More
STARTUP STAGE: Landng offers bookable travel itineraries from content creators
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Landng offers bookable travel itineraries from content creators
By Mitra Sorrells | July 31, 2023
Landng provides a database of customizable itineraries to help users discover, share and activate travel plans curated by a community of creators, travelers and brands.  Read More
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
The Phocuswright Conference 2026