Travel Planning

Kayak, Tripadvisor on growing their in-house media studios
News / Online
Kayak, Tripadvisor on growing their in-house media studios
By Morgan Hines | September 19, 2023
In the last two years both Kayak and Tripadvisor have created content studios that are becoming a growing part of their overall businesses and spurring plans for future investment.   Read More
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
Go City launch taps into one of China’s largest social media platforms
News / Online
Go City launch taps into one of China’s largest social media platforms
By Web in Travel | September 14, 2023
Surpassing 2019 revenue from Mainland Chinese customers, Go City becomes first global sightseeing pass to launch a mini program.   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
CEO Spotlight - Johannes Thomas of Trivago
Interview / Online
CEO Spotlight - Johannes Thomas of Trivago
By Linda Fox | September 14, 2023
PhocusWire talks to Trivago CEO Johannes Thomas about coming back to the metasearch platform, his first 100 days in the role and priorities going forward. Read More
First Choice relaunches with flight-free vacation options
News / Online
First Choice relaunches with flight-free vacation options
By Linda Fox | September 13, 2023
TUI brand First Choice believes traveler needs are changing, and it wants to offer them more options when it comes to booking trips. Read More
9 months into the GPT Era, what has travel learned?
Opinion / Technology
9 months into the GPT Era, what has travel learned?
By Gilad Berenstein – Brook Bay Capital | September 13, 2023
  Travel tech investor and entrepreneur Gilad Berenstein shares his three main takeaways in the first year of generative AI’s widespread use in travel and other sectors.   Read More
Wego moves into business travel with acquisition of Travelstop
News / Online
Wego moves into business travel with acquisition of Travelstop
By Linda Fox | September 12, 2023
Wego said the move will extend its reach into business travel while Travelstop will be able to take advantage of Wego's regional network. Read More
French company CDS Groupe acquires Germany-based Corporate Rates Club
News / Online
French company CDS Groupe acquires Germany-based Corporate Rates Club
By Morgan Hines | September 11, 2023
CDS Groupe is continuing its international expansion, bringing its total to nearly 300 employees across France, Poland, Italy, Croatia and Germany. Read More
STARTUP STAGE: Tango targets “mass affluent” travelers with AI-based booking platform
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Tango targets “mass affluent” travelers with AI-based booking platform
By Mitra Sorrells | September 11, 2023
Tango combines artificial intelligence, machine learning and human curation to provide design, booking and servicing of hyper-personalized trips.  Read More
Travel executive launches new marketplace for adventure travel
News / Startups
Travel executive launches new marketplace for adventure travel
By Derek Catron | September 11, 2023
Headed by Drew Patterson, formerly with Kayak, Jetsetter, Room 77 and Transparent, Thermal is a marketplace for booking unique surfing experiences all around the globe. 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
Booking will fight any decision to veto Etraveli acquisition in court
News / Online
Booking will fight any decision to veto Etraveli acquisition in court
By Linda Fox | September 8, 2023
Booking Holdings has responded to rumors that European regulators will veto its Etraveli acquisition, saying that decision would be "flawed on both factual and legal grounds." Read More
Travelers are placing more value on customer experience when considering air travel
News / Online
Travelers are placing more value on customer experience when considering air travel
By Morgan Hines | September 8, 2023
SITA's latest Passenger IT Insights report finds travelers becoming more comfortable with technology, particularly mobile apps, and also increased desire for technology that boosts sustainability for... Read More
AI Insights: Generative AI across airline operations
News / Technology
AI Insights: Generative AI across airline operations
By PhocusWire | September 7, 2023
Lufthansa Digital Hangar's Christian Spannbauer answers our questions about the areas the airline group is applying generative artificial intelligence technology to. Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2026