Travel Planning

Klook lands $100M to expand in Asia and beyond
News / Online
Klook lands $100M to expand in Asia and beyond
By Linda Fox | February 11, 2025
The latest funding for the Asia-based platform comes 14 months after the company raised $210 million in a Series E+ round in December 2023. Read More
Exoticca receives €25M to expand presence, build out AI technology
News / Technology
Exoticca receives €25M to expand presence, build out AI technology
By Morgan Hines | February 11, 2025
The €25 million comes in the form of a venture debt facility from BBVA Spark, following the company’s recently completed €60 million Series D round which was headed up by Quadrille Capital. Read More
Young travelers transitioning to AI trip planning in Southeast Asia
News / Technology
Young travelers transitioning to AI trip planning in Southeast Asia
By Phocuswright Research | February 11, 2025
Southeast Asia's booking pathway is online, increasingly mobile and with a high potential to be influenced and/or disrupted by artificial intelligence agents and applications.  Read More
How AI is impacting travel startups
News / Technology
How AI is impacting travel startups
By Mark Frary | February 11, 2025
Appetite for AI-driven travel startups from savvy investors alongside the potential for costs come down could help level the playing field for new businesses. Read More
Buy now, pay later frees travelers to spend more while managing a budget
From Our Partners / Online
Buy now, pay later frees travelers to spend more while managing a budget
By Suzanne Hirt | February 10, 2025
As prices and interest rates rise, budget-conscious travelers are turning to alternative payment methods such as buy now, pay later options that split payments into smaller installments, often without... Read More
If NDC is a first building block in airline retailing, what comes next?
Opinion / Distribution
If NDC is a first building block in airline retailing, what comes next?
By Tye Radcliffe - Accelya | February 10, 2025
Accelya's Tye Radcliffe argues that NDC is here stay and presents potential next steps as the airline industry's journey to retailing matures. Read More
Snowfall announces reset, relaunches as Junction
News / Technology
Snowfall announces reset, relaunches as Junction
By Andy Hoskins, BTN Europe | February 7, 2025
The company, whose difficulties have been documented in recent months, said Korelya Capital was helping to fund the relaunch, while other unspecified “existing and new investors” are also providing... Read More
Lufthansa's AI assistant Swifty integrated into LINE messenger
News / Technology
Lufthansa's AI assistant Swifty integrated into LINE messenger
By Morgan Hines | February 6, 2025
Lufthansa Group customers in Japan will be able to book flights on select airlines in the LINE messenger app thanks to the integration of Swifty into the platform. Read More
How "Operator" changed the travel shopping game
Opinion / Online
How "Operator" changed the travel shopping game
By Christian Watts - Magpie | February 6, 2025
OpenAI's "Operator" has the potential to remove much of the manual work from travel search and booking as well as enable deeper research and more flexibility. Read More
CEO Spotlight: Alberto Gutierrez of Civitatis
News / Online
CEO Spotlight: Alberto Gutierrez of Civitatis
By Linda Fox | February 5, 2025
In an interview in the PhocusWire studio Alberto Gutiérrez discussed the growth of tours and activities marketplace Civitatis, attracting investment and its focus on Latin America. Read More
Vacasa considering higher offer from existing shareholder
News / Online
Vacasa considering higher offer from existing shareholder
By Linda Fox | February 4, 2025
Vacasa shares rose 2.4% on news of an offer coming in before markets opened Tuesday from existing shareholder Davidson Kempner Capital Management that is higher than the one offered by Casago. Read More
Intrepid builds on $1B ambition with acquisition of Sawadee
News / Online
Intrepid builds on $1B ambition with acquisition of Sawadee
By Linda Fox | February 4, 2025
Intrepid said the acquisition of the Netherlands-based company will add $62 million in revenue and 20,000 customers a year. Read More
Mize acquires RightRez to extend technology to multiple travel sectors
News / Technology
Mize acquires RightRez to extend technology to multiple travel sectors
By Linda Fox | February 4, 2025
Mize said the acquisition enables it to provide its data analytics and AI capabilities alongside optimization tools from RightRez to multiple travel sectors. Read More
The shifting loyalty landscape in travel
News / Online
The shifting loyalty landscape in travel
By Marisa Garcia | February 4, 2025
Established travel companies and startups are taking a fresh look at what drives loyalty as behavior shifts and new technology offers ways to get closer to customers. Read More
BlaBlaCar to lobby for fair distribution through European rail group
News / Distribution
BlaBlaCar to lobby for fair distribution through European rail group
By Linda Fox | February 3, 2025
The organization, which also includes Omio, Kombo and Trainline as members, is seeking transparency of rail data fares and a more competitive and connected rail market for European passengers. Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2026