Travel Inspiration

PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: Airbnb, Yotel, IHG and more...
News / Technology
PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: Airbnb, Yotel, IHG and more...
By PhocusWire | June 5, 2026
Keep up with all the latest people, partner and product news from around the global travel industry. Read More
Expedia Group chairman Barry Diller says AI won't replace humans
News / Technology
Expedia Group chairman Barry Diller says AI won't replace humans
By Morgan Hines | June 5, 2026
Expedia Group is intent on pursuing AI opportunities, but the company’s chairman has expressed apprehension over the technology. Read More
Architecture, pace, culture: Navigating travel's AI transition
News / Technology
Architecture, pace, culture: Navigating travel's AI transition
By Morgan Hines | June 4, 2026
Executives from Hilton, Air Canada, Marriott and Evolve share what they have learned revamping legacy technology. Read More
AI-powered Mindtrip expands to Europe
News / Startups
AI-powered Mindtrip expands to Europe
By Morgan Hines | June 3, 2026
Mindtrip has signed contracts with two destination marketing organizations: Madeira Promotion Bureau and Norwegian Travel Cluster. Read More
Japan inbound boom becomes policy priority
News / Online
Japan inbound boom becomes policy priority
By Phocuswright Research | June 2, 2026
What comes next is less about volume and more about value, regional distribution and managing the strains of success.   Read More
Meet the 17 finalists of the 2026 Global Startup Pitch
News / Startups
Meet the 17 finalists of the 2026 Global Startup Pitch
By PhocusWire | May 29, 2026
Finalists will compete in person at Phocuswright Europe, and winners from each region will deliver showcase presentations at WiT Singapore. Read More
Travel marketers prepare for the rise of AI agents
News / Technology
Travel marketers prepare for the rise of AI agents
By Morgan Hines | May 28, 2026
Executives from Expedia Group, OpenAI and The Trade Desk say travel marketers must adapt as AI agents become a bigger part of trip discovery and booking. Read More
Travel operators ramp up AI spending as search and discovery behaviors shift
News / Online
Travel operators ramp up AI spending as search and discovery behaviors shift
By Cathy Walsh | May 27, 2026
TravelTech Show research points to rising investment in AI and travel technology as operators adapt to changing customer search, discovery and booking patterns. Read More
U.K. travel distribution has reached equilibrium. Will it stay that way?
News / Distribution
U.K. travel distribution has reached equilibrium. Will it stay that way?
By Phocuswright Research | May 26, 2026
Demand is strong, digital adoption leads Europe, every major segment is growing: So why does the distribution picture look like a stalemate?  Read More
Startup Stage: TravelOne targets luxury travel with behavior profiling platform
Interview / Startups
Startup Stage: TravelOne targets luxury travel with behavior profiling platform
By Cathy Walsh | May 26, 2026
The platform matches travelers with destinations and itineraries based on psychological and personality markers. Read More
3 key takeaways from Google I/O 2026
News / Technology
3 key takeaways from Google I/O 2026
By Matthew Parsons | May 21, 2026
New agentic AI features unveiled at Google I/O 2026 could reshape how travelers search, shop and book trips, increasing pressure on travel brands to become machine-readable and agent-accessible. Read More
Expedia Group expands Meta partnership amid push to connect social, booking
News / Technology
Expedia Group expands Meta partnership amid push to connect social, booking
By Morgan Hines | May 19, 2026
 The expanded collaboration follows the recent news that Expedia is a partner with TikTok for its new in-app booking, a sign of the OTA's focus on growing its B2B distribution strategy. Read More
Wellness tourism hits $894B, with more growth ahead
News / Online
Wellness tourism hits $894B, with more growth ahead
By Phocuswright Research | May 19, 2026
Wellness tourism is at “the powerful intersection of two large and growing multi-trillion-dollar industries." Read More
Expedia Group moves advertising unit under CMO Jochen Koedijk
News / Online
Expedia Group moves advertising unit under CMO Jochen Koedijk
By Morgan Hines | May 18, 2026
The move continues Expedia Group's reorganization following the merger of its B2B and supply businesses. Read More
Startup Stage: Globe Thrivers turns creator travel content into bookable trips
Interview / Startups
Startup Stage: Globe Thrivers turns creator travel content into bookable trips
By Cathy Walsh | May 18, 2026
The startup is building AI-powered infrastructure that turns creator content into structured itineraries, collaborative planning and attributed bookings. Read More