Travel Planning

Leisure Pass Group brings multi-attraction technology to North America
News / Technology
Leisure Pass Group brings multi-attraction technology to North America
By Jill Menze | September 25, 2018
Attraction pass provider Leisure Pass Group is opening up its custom management platform, known as Leisure Pass Operating System (LPOS), to its North American partners. Read More
In The Big Chair - Deep Kalra of MakeMyTrip
Interview / Distribution
In The Big Chair - Deep Kalra of MakeMyTrip
By Mitra Sorrells | September 25, 2018
Deep Kalra founded MakeMyTrip in 2000 in the United States to help the country’s Indian community manage its travel to and from India. It started operations within India in 2005 and now offers flights,... Read More
Flight Centre acquires Umapped
News / Technology
Flight Centre Travel Group acquires itinerary planning platform Umapped
By Mitra Sorrells | September 24, 2018
Umapped, a specialist in itinerary management, has been acquired by Australia-based Flight Centre Travel Group. Read More
Kayak AR bag measurement Siri Shortcuts
News / Technology
Kayak adds AR-powered bag measurement tool, Siri Shortcuts to mobile app
By Mitra Sorrells | September 21, 2018
Kayak wants to help travelers have confidence their carry-on bags meet airline restrictions.   Read More
Make It Social hones group check-out experience, sees growth in travel and ticketing
News / Online
Make It Social hones group check-out experience, sees growth in travel and ticketing
By Linda Fox | September 19, 2018
Make It Social has gone back to basics and revamped its social check-out technology Read More
Expedia Group Chinese travel survey
News / Online
Chinese millennials nearly doubled travel spending in the past year
By Mitra Sorrells | September 19, 2018
Chinese residents born after 1990 are fueling a surge in international travel, with a preference for local experiences, independent accommodations and long-haul destination.   Read More
CruiseWire OTA one-way cruises
News / Distribution
New online booking site facilitates one-way cruise travel
By Mitra Sorrells | September 18, 2018
A new online travel agency focused on the cruise industry has a unique goal – to help travelers find and book one-way itineraries, in effect using cruise ships as the means of travel one from... Read More
tripadvisor plots social network
News / Online
TripAdvisor plots social network, goes all-in on personalization
By Jill Menze | September 18, 2018
TripAdvisor is betting big on social media with the launch of “the new TripAdvisor” - a revamp of the platform that allows users to connect with fellow travelers as well as brands, publishers and... Read More
HYP3R happy as it raises $17M to expand geofencing tech
News / Technology
HYP3R happy as it raises $17M to expand geofencing tech
By Kevin May | September 17, 2018
A string of investors have handed HYP3R a $17 million war chest by way of a Series A investment in the company. Read More
tripcreator-8-million-funding
News / Startups
TripCreator lands $8M in funding, plans New York move
By Linda Fox | September 14, 2018
TripCreator, a trip planning service, has raised $8 million in funding from venture capitalists and business angels. Read More
Hilton Honors app add recommendations
News / Technology
Hilton’s new in-app guide offers tips from hotel employees
By Mitra Sorrells | September 13, 2018
Hilton is adding location-based recommendations for food, nightlight, shopping and activities to its Hilton Honors mobile app.   Read More
Evaneos raises $80M, eyes U.S expansion
News / Online
Evaneos raises $80M, eyes U.S expansion
By Linda Fox | September 11, 2018
The France-based multi-day tours specialist has attracted $80 million in funding, bringing its total investment to date into three figures. Read More
Google launches Touring Bird with 25,000 experiences in 20 cities
News / Online
Google launches Touring Bird with 25,000 experiences in 20 cities
By Jill Menze | September 7, 2018
In April, PhocusWire uncovered details of Touring Bird, the hush-hush tours and activities app Google was developing inside its Area 120 incubator. Now Touring Bird has officially launched 25,000... Read More
Airbnb for Work expands, looks beyond core business travel market
News / Online
Airbnb for Work expands, looks beyond core business travel market
By Jill Menze | September 5, 2018
Airbnb, in its tenacious quest to engage with one billion guests by 2028, is ramping up its efforts to court the professional community by expanding its Airbnb for Work offerings. Read More
Offline part 1 agencies
News / Distribution
Back in the offline world, part 1: Travel agency endurance
By Mitra Sorrells | September 4, 2018
First up in this month’s series on the offline travel market, we look at the traditional agency model to understand the audience it still serves and how it has continued to stay relevant. Read More
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