Travel Planning

STARTUP STAGE: Textomap creates interactive maps from location-based text
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Textomap creates interactive maps from location-based text
By Linda Fox | December 12, 2023
Textomap helps businesses and individuals visualize and display location-based content, which improves customer engagement by providing more context and data. Read More
Google’s Vowinkel on the power of generative AI for travel marketers
News / Technology
Google’s Vowinkel on the power of generative AI for travel marketers
By Mitra Sorrells | December 12, 2023
While artificial intelligence and machine learning have been integral to Google’s offerings for years, 2023 brought a new concept to the fore: generative AI. Read More
AI Insights: Generative AI for search functionality in business travel programs
News / Technology
AI Insights: Generative AI for search functionality in business travel programs
By PhocusWire | December 11, 2023
Tripism CEO Adam Kerr answers our questions on how the company is working with generative artificial intelligence. Read More
STARTUP STAGE: ZentrumHub's AI-based hotel booking engine
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: ZentrumHub's AI-based hotel booking engine
By Morgan Hines | December 8, 2023
Zentrumhub is an AI-powered hotel booking platform that is B2B, B2C and meta-ready and provides an end-to-end experience for users.   Read More
Klook lands $210 million investment for three-pronged growth strategy
News / Startups
Klook lands $210 million investment for three-pronged growth strategy
By Linda Fox | December 7, 2023
Klook said that it has achieved overall profitability for the first time this year and annualized gross booking value of $3 billion as travel recovery began in 2023 for many Asian markets. Read More
Maison Sport lands £3.1M in funding, looks to agents for growth
News / Startups
Maison Sport lands £3.1M in funding, looks to agents for growth
By Linda Fox | December 6, 2023
U.K.-based Maison Sport is looking to collaborate more with travel agents, enabling them to sell its products via affiliate links or API integration. Read More
TUI plans global booking platform rollout in 2024
News / Technology
TUI plans global booking platform rollout in 2024
By Linda Fox | December 6, 2023
TUI Group is developing a single global sourcing and booking platform that has been launched in Belgium and will be extended to more markets in 2024. Read More
Center lands $30M, plans open platform to improve expense management
News / Startups
Center lands $30M, plans open platform to improve expense management
By Linda Fox | December 5, 2023
The company plans to put the investment towards speeding up innovation through the development of new features to address friction for users and broadening its distribution. Read More
Travelport boosts balance sheet with $570 million investment
News / Distribution
Travelport boosts balance sheet with $570 million investment
By Linda Fox | December 4, 2023
The capital will enable the company to invest in its technology platforms and “pave the way for other innovations” in the travel industry, according to a statement. Read More
Why travel’s experiences sector isn’t likely to operate like others
News / Online
Why travel’s experiences sector isn’t likely to operate like others
By Morgan Hines | December 4, 2023
As the experiences category continues to grow in the travel world, experts look at its future during a Center Stage discussion at The Phocuswright Conference 2023. Read More
RoomRaccoon strengthens position with acquisition of iHotelligence
News / Technology
RoomRaccoon strengthens position with acquisition of iHotelligence
By Linda Fox | December 1, 2023
RoomRaccoon described the acquisition of the Ireland-based company as the “natural next step” on its journey to becoming a leader in hotel management software. Read More
Layla launches, receives €3M in seed funding
News / Startups
Layla launches, receives €3M in seed funding
By Morgan Hines | November 30, 2023
The new app is an artificial intelligence-driven travel advisor that is meant to help users plan trips and book seamlessly. Read More
Hopper’s Lalonde talks profits, Expedia split, Booking.com competition
News / Online
Hopper’s Lalonde talks profits, Expedia split, Booking.com competition
By Derek Catron | November 29, 2023
In a far-ranging interview at The Phocuswright Conference, Lalonde also spoke of Hopper’s layoffs and his “hacker” approach to business. Read More
Expedia has given $1.5M in grants to nonprofits as part of new fund
News / Online
Expedia has given $1.5M in grants to nonprofits as part of new fund
By Morgan Hines | November 28, 2023
Expedia is looking to bolster efforts to remove barriers to travel with its new funding initiative. Read More
NUMA swoops up YAYS to expand hospitality brand across Europe
News / Startups
NUMA swoops up YAYS to expand hospitality brand across Europe
By Linda Fox | November 28, 2023
A statement says the deal adds 489 units to NUMA's portfolio and claims it creates the leading player across Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Benelux region of Belgium, the Netherlands... Read More