Travel Inspiration

News / Online

Google launches Touring Bird with 25,000 experiences in 20 cities

By Jill Menze | September 7, 2018

In April, PhocusWire uncovered details of Touring Bird, the hush-hush tours and activities app Google was developing inside its Area 120 incubator. Now Touring Bird has officially launched 25,000... Read More

Opinion / Online

The impact of influencer marketing on the booking journey

By Angharad Miller - Swayy | August 30, 2018

Let’s set the scene. Up until the digital revolution, traditional marketing and word-of-mouth were the only real ways to grow consumer awareness at a notable scale. Read More

News / Startups

Travello gets $5M round to push Bluetee marketing tech and expand

By Kevin May | August 28, 2018

It's been a long time since a travel social network has caught some attention - but Travello has done so with a $5 million fund-raise. Read More

Opinion / Online

The secret to direct bookings? Consider hotel website conversion rates

By Max Starkov | August 17, 2018

A key imperative for hoteliers in 2018 is preventing travel planners from becoming distracted by digital noise and serving them content at the correct time in order to convert them into bookings. Read More

News / Distribution

Wegogo aims for fair-share travel platform, alternative to web agency dominance

By Mitra Sorrells | August 14, 2018

In the midst of growth plans, Wegogo is forging ahead with the introduction of blockchain-based tech and the creation of its cryptocurrency known as WeGold. Read More

Interview / Startups

STARTUP STAGE: MüvTravel uses AI to customize itineraries for independent travelers

By Mitra Sorrells | August 7, 2018

MüvTravel is an AI-powered platform to help independent travelers customize their entire trip, including transportation, accommodations and activities. Read More

Opinion / Online

Can FOMO help capture hotel bookings?

By Mike Ford - SiteMinder | August 2, 2018

Around 69% of millennials experience FOMO, and 60% make reactive purchases because of it. In other words, they’ll buy just because they feel they might miss out - even at hotels. Read More

News / Online

What under-30 travelers want when researching, booking and experiencing trips

By Mitra Sorrells | August 2, 2018

Younger travelers – those under 30 years old – represented 23% of all international arrivals in 2017, creating a market valued at more than $280 billion. Read More

News / Online

TripAdvisor’s non-hotel revenue slows but remains bright spot in Q2 earnings

By Mitra Sorrells | August 1, 2018

TripAdvisor reports non-hotel segment revenue grew 22% year-over-year – from $98 million to $120 million - a sizable increase but a deceleration from the first quarter when it posted gains of 36% over... Read More

News / Online

Desktop still dominates over mobile for travel search

By Mitra Sorrells | August 1, 2018

Although mobile penetration and usage continues to grow, travelers in most parts of the world are still doing their searching and price comparison on desktop. Read More

News / Technology

Reimagining customer experience, part 4: Hospitality happenings

By Mitra Sorrells | July 30, 2018

Deloitte recently surveyed more than 6,600 hotels guests who have collectively stayed at 25 brands across different hotel tiers to find out what makes a great hotel experience. Read More

News / Online

WayBlazer closes shop, cites lack of funds and time

By Mitra Sorrells | July 26, 2018

WayBlazer, which offered artificial intelligence-powered search, discovery and shopping for travel websites and apps, is shutting down. Read More

News / Online

Google on why consumers like to know more before they travel

By Linda Fox | July 23, 2018

Google delves into mobile search trends to discover traveler motives to know more before they go. Read More

Interview / Startups

STARTUP STAGE: Swayy helps hotels manage influencer campaigns at scale

By Jill Menze | July 23, 2018

Swayy is a tool for hotels to find, book and maintain relationships with social media influencers. It matches hotels with pre-vetted, relevant influencers, and Swayy’s closed-loop system allows both... Read More