Travel Planning

Boats in Mykonos? Uber expands travel options
News / Online
Boats in Mykonos? Uber expands travel options
By Derek Catron | May 18, 2023
The ride-hailing company’s third annual Go-GET product event announced a couple of travel-focused updates, including concierge service at partner hotels and boat reservations on a Greek island. Read More
Hotels of the future will need to learn to harness data
Opinion / Technology
Hotels of the future will need to learn to harness data
By Klaus Kohlmayr – IDeaS | May 18, 2023
We all shop, work and interact differently. The greatest opportunity for hotels today is to leverage the digital data being collected from guests around the world.   Read More
STARTUP STAGE: Roam Around uses ChatGPT to tailor free travel itineraries
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Roam Around uses ChatGPT to tailor free travel itineraries
By Derek Catron | May 18, 2023
Built on OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Roam Around claims to be the world’s first viral AI travel planner, crafting free personalized itineraries for its users.   Read More
Earnings roundup: HomeToGo, MakeMyTrip
News / Online
Earnings roundup: HomeToGo, MakeMyTrip
By Linda Fox | May 17, 2023
HomeToGo and MakeMyTrip report their Q1 2023 and full-year 2023 earnings, respectively. Read More
How Expedia is thinking about growth in vacation rentals
News / Online
How Expedia is thinking about growth in vacation rentals
By Linda Fox | May 17, 2023
Tim Rosolio, vice president for vacation rental partner success at Expedia Group, talks about inventory pressure, technology gaps and more flexible cancellation policies for vacation rentals. Read More
Startups selected for first round of Global Startup Pitch
News / Startups
Startups selected for first round of Global Startup Pitch
By PhocusWire | May 15, 2023
The judging criteria applied to the startups throughout the competition include viability, customer appeal, technical innovation, sustainability, team and the X factor.  Read More
Seamless but secure: ChatGPT and data protection in travel
News / Technology
Seamless but secure: ChatGPT and data protection in travel
By Mitra Sorrells | May 15, 2023
Join us for PhocusWire's next LinkedIn Audio Event as we discuss this topic with executives from Hopper, MakeMyTrip, Microsoft and Indicio. Read More
Connected trip company Worldia raises €25M for global expansion
News / Startups
Connected trip company Worldia raises €25M for global expansion
By Kathryn Walson | May 15, 2023
The Paris-based company plans to make its packaging technology available to travel distributors across Europe and North America and to hire people in research and development. Read More
Hugo Burge, online travel pioneer and startup investor, dies at 51
News / Online
Hugo Burge, online travel pioneer and startup investor, dies at 51
By Linda Fox | May 12, 2023
Tributes are flooding in for online travel pioneer Hugo Burge, who died on Wednesday at age 51. Read More
Google looks to social media for some travel searches
News / Online
Google looks to social media for some travel searches
By Mitra Sorrells | May 12, 2023
The new Perspectives filter will show results from TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Reddit and other social sites for some travel queries when the user “may benefit from the experience of other people.”... Read More
Today’s demand won’t define tomorrow’s travelers
News / Online
Today’s demand won’t define tomorrow’s travelers
By Derek Catron | May 11, 2023
A panel at Hotelbeds’ MarketHub Americas conference discussed why strong consumer appetite for travel doesn’t relieve industry leaders from preparing for a more sustainable future.   Read More
Airbnb's Chesky on GPT-4 being right for travel
News / Online
Airbnb's Chesky on GPT-4 being right for travel
By Linda Fox | May 10, 2023
Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky said he felt the plugin interface was not right for travel but he has high hopes for GPT-4. Read More
HomeToGo launches OpenAI-powered curated search
News / Online
HomeToGo launches OpenAI-powered curated search
By Linda Fox | May 10, 2023
HomeToGo’s first "Mode" is AI Mode, which enables anyone planning travel to receive personalized recommendations via OpenAI's GPT technology. Read More
Axel Hefer leaves Trivago, former director appointed
News / Online
Axel Hefer leaves Trivago, former director appointed
By Linda Fox | May 9, 2023
Johannes Thomas, a former chief revenue officer and managing director, takes over the role of CEO and managing director with immediate effect. Read More
MakeMyTrip adds Microsoft’s GPT tech for voice-assisted travel booking
News / Technology
MakeMyTrip adds Microsoft’s GPT tech for voice-assisted travel booking
By Mitra Sorrells | May 9, 2023
The India-based online travel agency says it will use the technology to introduce voice-assisted booking in Indian languages. Read More