Travel Planning

via-citymapper-acquisition
News / Online
Via acquires Citymapper in quest to be “operating system” for public mobility
By Mitra Sorrells | March 22, 2023
Via will integrate Citymapper’s app, which consumers use to plan trips, into its TransitTech platform. Read More
Placemakr unlocks $65M for mixed-use hospitality concept
News / Startups
Placemakr unlocks $65M for mixed-use hospitality concept
By Linda Fox | March 21, 2023
Investment in the flexible-use property specialist comes from Highland Capital Partners, Harbert Growth Partners, Bernstein Management Corp., Camber Creek and Gaw Capital. Read More
citi-booking-platform-launch
News / Online
Citi’s new travel portal powered by Booking Holdings goes live
By Mitra Sorrells | March 21, 2023
The site includes supply from Booking.com – such as 1.4 million hotels around the world - and is powered by technology from Rocket Travel by Agoda, another of Booking Holdings’ brands. Read More
OYO creates accelerator to help India hoteliers expand
News / Distribution
OYO creates accelerator to help India hoteliers expand
By Linda Fox | March 21, 2023
The aim of the program, which plans to accept 30 hoteliers initially, is to help hoteliers expand more rapidly. Read More
travel-talk-travel-fully-back
News / Online
Travel Talk: Is travel fully back?
By PhocusWire | March 20, 2023
While most industry sectors have been rebounding, travel experts suggest areas where caution may be merited.     Read More
despegar-q4-2022
News / Online
Despegar sees Latin America market recovery by year end
By Linda Fox | March 16, 2023
Despegar has launched packages functionality and redesigned its mobile app, which currently accounts for about half of bookings. Read More
Southwest updates on action plan for disruption
News
Southwest updates on action plan for disruption
By Linda Fox | March 16, 2023
Bob Jordan, the carrier’s president and CEO, talks of the severe weather event that turned into a crew-related event resulting in a “three-day reset of our aircraft and crew networks.” Read More
Tripadvisor CMO talks travel marketing, membership, video
News / Online
Tripadvisor CMO talks travel marketing, membership, video
By Linda Fox | March 16, 2023
Tripadvisor's chief marketing officer John Boris, who joined the company in late 2022, shares more on the company's strategy as well as his thoughts on the state of travel marketing. Read More
Accor unveils subscription cards for frequent travelers
News / Distribution
Accor unveils subscription cards for frequent travelers
By Linda Fox | March 15, 2023
The France-based hotel giant has unveiled All Plus ibis and All Plus Voyageur, to replace its ibis Business and Business Plus frequent traveler subscription services. Read More
Captain Experiences funding round
News / Online
Outdoor sports booking platform Captain Experiences reels in $2M
By Kathryn Walson | March 14, 2023
While the Austin, Texas-based startup is currently catering to the fishing and hunting verticals, it plans to expand across all outdoor sports and geographies. Read More
Tryp.com seed funding
News / Online
Tryp.com secures seed round to enhance tech, expand reach
By Kathryn Walson | March 14, 2023
The Denmark-based startup says its search engine “accesses thousands of flights, trains, buses and hotels in real-time, comparing prices, locations and schedules.” Read More
Awai Startup Stage
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Awai seeks to simplify travel booking with one-stop shop
By Kathryn Walson | March 13, 2023
The Melbourne-based startup says it saves consumers time, money and headaches during trip planning, while removing the need for travel agents. Read More
WheeltheWorld image
News / Startups
Wheel the World lands $6M to boost accessibility in travel
By Kathryn Walson | March 10, 2023
Founded in 2018, the San Francisco-based startup plans to expand its listings with the goal of having 12,000 travelers book through its platform by December 2024. Read More
TUI loyalty
News / Online
TUI to launch loyalty program built on guest “convenience”
By Linda Fox | March 8, 2023
Sebastian Ebel, speaking at ITB in Berlin, says he has been impressed with what hotel groups such as Hilton have done, describing its program as a "convenience product." Read More
female-led-travel-startups
News / Startups
Women-led travel startups talk challenges, change, funding
By Linda Fox | March 8, 2023
The pandemic has not helped close the workplace gender gap, but there are gradual improvements. On International Women's Day, PhocusWire discusses some of the issues with three female travel startup... Read More
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