Travel Planning

How Chinese OTAs turned around 3 years of COVID isolation
News / Online
How Chinese OTAs turned around 3 years of COVID isolation
By Gary Bowerman - Phocuswright | July 24, 2023
Phocuswright analyst Gary Bowerman explores the strategies Chinese OTAs have taken to remain competitive over the last few years.   Read More
STARTUP STAGE: BookingData helps airlines tap into ancillary revenue
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: BookingData helps airlines tap into ancillary revenue
By Linda Fox | July 24, 2023
Airlines can capitalize on the travel patterns and profiles of passengers by using BookingData to offer travelers tailored offers directly from ancillary partners. Read More
Hotel bookings via mobile device continue to edge north
News / Online
Hotel bookings via mobile device continue to edge north
By Linda Fox | July 21, 2023
Affilired has been charting the rise in hotel bookings via mobile in recent years and reported a marked increase in the first quarter of 2023. Read More
Emburse boosts expense management offering with acquisition of Tripbam
News / Technology
Emburse boosts expense management offering with acquisition of Tripbam
By Linda Fox | July 19, 2023
The acquisition strengthens Emburse’ offering and aims to help its travel and finance customers better manage spend. Read More
Tripadvisor integrates OpenAI for travel planning
News / Technology
Tripadvisor integrates OpenAI for travel planning
By Mitra Sorrells | July 19, 2023
Tripadvisor's new tool leverages the platform's more than one billion user-generated reviews and opinions to generate personalized itineraries using OpenAI's technology.  Read More
HolidayPirates announces virtual tour operations, maintains social strategy
News / Online
HolidayPirates announces virtual tour operations, maintains social strategy
By Linda Fox | July 19, 2023
HolidayPirates carried out a soft launch of its new flight plus hotel package service in Italy before extending it to the Netherlands last month. Read More
Checkfront and Rezdy merge in significant tech deal in tours, activities and attractions
News / Technology
Checkfront and Rezdy merge in significant tech deal in tours, activities and attractions
By Stephen Joyce and Janelle Visser - Arival | July 18, 2023
CEOs Jason Morehouse and Chris Atkin share the details of the recent deal, which brings two in-destination experience sector booking system providers together under one company.   Read More
Travel leaders talk about the innovations that excite them
News / Technology
Travel leaders talk about the innovations that excite them
By Derek Catron | July 18, 2023
Karen Bolda of Expedia, Ross Veitch of Wego Group and Philip Yan of Alibaba Fliggy spoke about the travel tech innovations they’re watching at Phocuswright Europe 2023.     Read More
Travel data leaders join forces as AirDNA acquires Arrivalist
News / Online
Travel data leaders join forces as AirDNA acquires Arrivalist
By Mitra Sorrells | July 17, 2023
Arrivalist will now become a product within AirDNA’s suite of solutions, and the 25-person Arrivalist team, including founder Cree Lawson, will join AirDNA. Read More
Expedia Group announces ugly split with Hopper
News / Online
Expedia Group announces ugly split with Hopper
By Mitra Sorrells and Derek Catron | July 12, 2023
Expedia Group is pulling its hotel and vacation rental supply from Hopper, charging the rival online travel agency with taking advantage of consumers. Read More
Culture Trip considers sale, funding options following management buyout
News / Online
Culture Trip considers sale, funding options following management buyout
By Mitra Sorrells | July 12, 2023
 Culture Trip has struggled to find its way and is now considering a sale after raising more than £130 million from investors.   Read More
Holden out at Google Travel
News / Online
Holden out at Google Travel
By Mitra Sorrells | July 11, 2023
Google Travel is now being led by Rose Yao and Julie Farago, two longtime Google employees with product and engineering experience. Read More
How can travel harness ChatGPT - while limiting risks?
Opinion / Technology
How can travel harness ChatGPT - while limiting risks?
By Rudy Daniello – Amadeus | July 11, 2023
Amadeus has been working with Microsoft and Accenture to develop a generative AI-powered interactive travel assistant to assist corporate travelers with all elements of their journey. Read More
NeoKe raises first round in push to create truly “connected” travel
News / Startups
NeoKe raises first round in push to create truly “connected” travel
By Mitra Sorrells | July 10, 2023
The startup, launched by two former Booking.com executives in 2022, aims to put travelers in control of their data and to create new opportunities for brands to drive loyalty. Read More
Expedia Group launches One Key unified rewards program
News / Online
Expedia Group launches One Key unified rewards program
By Derek Catron | July 7, 2023
Speaking at Phocuswright Europe 2023, Alfonso Paredes called One Key “a super powerful tool” that would spread rewards benefits to more travelers.   Read More