Travel Planning

Paris bedbugs: Does tech offer the solution to save travel?
News / Technology
Paris bedbugs: Does tech offer the solution to save travel?
By Morgan Hines | October 13, 2023
Here’s how travel tech companies like Valpas and Spotta are working toward stopping bedbug mania in hotels. Read More
DiDi Autonomous Driving lands $149M investment
News / Technology
DiDi Autonomous Driving lands $149M investment
By Linda Fox | October 12, 2023
The autonomous vehicle unit of DiDi plans to further its R&D and seek collaborations as part of its strategy to speed up the commercial use of autonomous driving technology. Read More
Assessing AI opportunities through the corporate travel lens
News / Technology
Assessing AI opportunities through the corporate travel lens
By Linda Fox | October 12, 2023
Technology experts discuss the potential gains and risks of artificial intelligence in the corporate travel world. Read More
Airbnb shutters Plus program, promises other upgrades for hosts
News / Online
Airbnb shutters Plus program, promises other upgrades for hosts
By Linda Fox | October 11, 2023
Airbnb Plus was unveiled in early 2018 and enabled hosts to be part of a higher tier based on quality and comfort. Read More
STARTUP STAGE: Crewfare aims to make booking event and group travel easy
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Crewfare aims to make booking event and group travel easy
By Mitra Sorrells | October 11, 2023
Crewfare is a customizable group travel booking platform offering events, festivals, sports and brands with the ability to capitalize on travel while providing attendees with a streamlined and simpler... Read More
Cendyn acquires PushTech to build out CRM capabilities
News / Technology
Cendyn acquires PushTech to build out CRM capabilities
By Linda Fox | October 10, 2023
Barcelona-based PushTech offers a cloud-based customer data and CRM platform helping hotels with marketing, guest communications and loyalty. Read More
Attraction World Group looks to growth through acquisition by new investment company
News / Online
Attraction World Group looks to growth through acquisition by new investment company
By Linda Fox | October 9, 2023
Attraction World Group will use the investment for geographic expansion as well as technology investment and acquisitions. Read More
Alaska Airlines unveils Airline Venture Lab to address challenges
News / Startups
Alaska Airlines unveils Airline Venture Lab to address challenges
By Linda Fox | October 9, 2023
Alaska's Airlines Venture Lab is looking to launch its first startup in 2024 and will focus on solutions to address friction in air travel. Read More
Where are they now? Checking in with our Hot 25 Startups of 2019
News / Online
Where are they now? Checking in with our Hot 25 Startups of 2019
By Morgan Hines | October 9, 2023
Sanctifly, Stay22, Lumo, Beyond, TravelPerk and GuestReady update PhocusWire on what they’ve been up to since they were named part of PhocusWire’s Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2019. Read More
Habyt lands $40M for co-living concept expansion
News / Startups
Habyt lands $40M for co-living concept expansion
By Linda Fox | October 5, 2023
Investment in the Germany-based business was led by Korelya Capital and Deutsche Invest with Exor Ventures, Endeavor Catalyst and existing investors also participating. Read More
Blacklane adds mobility provider Sixt as an investor
News / Online
Blacklane adds mobility provider Sixt as an investor
By Linda Fox | October 4, 2023
The exact investment is undisclosed and comes in addition to earlier Series F investment from Mercedes-Benz Mobility and Gargash Enterprises. Read More
Legends wins Phocuswright/WiT Global Startup Pitch
News / Startups
Legends wins Phocuswright/WiT Global Startup Pitch
By Mitra Sorrells | October 4, 2023
A panel of industry leaders selected travel personalization solution Legends as the winner of the competition while SquadTrip won the People's Choice Award. Read More
Google, Expedia, Travelport and Wego on AI risks, opportunities
News / Technology
Google, Expedia, Travelport and Wego on AI risks, opportunities
By Mitra Sorrells | October 3, 2023
In a session at WiT Singapore, executives from the four companies discussed concerns such as privacy, hallucinations and bias in relation to generative AI. Read More
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi optimistic about its travel future
News / Online
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi optimistic about its travel future
By Morgan Hines | October 3, 2023
Uber has seen a positive response to travel features it launched in the United Kingdom and is looking for ways to continue to expand the services. Read More
Two new distributors tap TourRadar's API to sell organized adventures
News / Online
Two new distributors tap TourRadar's API to sell organized adventures
By Morgan Hines | October 2, 2023
As experiences gain dominance in consumers' travel planning, LocalAdventures and Travlr are using TourRadar's API to offer thousands of options to their customers.  Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2026