Travel Planning

News / Online

Booking Holdings' Fogel calls for "smart regulations" in Europe

By Linda Fox | March 6, 2024

The company has had decisions from European lawmakers go against it in recent months, from its blocked acquisition of Etraveli to the threat of being tagged a digital gatekeeper under the looming... Read More

News / Startups

SITA serves as lead investor in Indicio’s Series A funding round

By Morgan Hines | March 5, 2024

SITA and Indicio began working together during the pandemic and have since expanded their partnership to develop a digital travel credential using blockchain and biometrics. Read More

News / Technology

Kayak launches image recognition tool to compare flight prices from a screenshot

By Derek Catron and Morgan Hines | March 5, 2024

Extensive training of ChatGPT’s AI model on Kayak’s database of billions of consumer travel queries helped produce the metasearch site’s new features. Read More

News / Technology

Despegar debuts GenAI travel assistant for trip inspiration and booking

By Mitra Sorrells | March 4, 2024

Customers can use the "Sofia" tool through text or voice or by clicking on visual options and can return to chats even days later with the interaction saved in the system. Read More

News / Online

Airbnb removes 100,000 listings, expands listing verification

By Morgan Hines | March 4, 2024

As part of its “spring update,” Airbnb shared news of de-listings, verification, highlights and more. Read More

News / Online

TravelAI relaunches Casai website with focus on luxury short-term rentals

By D.J. Catron | March 1, 2024

After acquiring the domain name of the Latin American short-term rental startup, TravelAI will use the site to target travelers interested primarily in the Mediterranean and Caribbean. Read More

News / Online

Tripadvisor Plus is shutting down after three years

By Morgan Hines | March 1, 2024

In remarks at the Phocuswright Conference in November, Tripadvisor CEO Matt Goldberg said the company would focus on the benefits of free membership versus trying to build the paid subscription program. Read More

News / Distribution

Sabre, Mastercard join Travalyst mission to drive sustainable travel choices

By Linda Fox | March 1, 2024

The coalition, which also counts Booking.com, Expedia Group and Trip.com Group as partners, aims to help inform consumer travel choices by making sustainability information mainstream. Read More

News / Technology

Amex GBT looks to drive AI across organization and beyond

By Linda Fox | February 29, 2024

The AI initiative is seeking to adopt AI technologies and will work across four areas of the company: traveler care, finance, engineering and enabling a modern workplace. Read More

News / Online

STR industry faces new rules in Europe; Airbnb welcomes change

By Morgan Hines | February 29, 2024

The short-term rental industry will have 24 months to comply with new industry regulations to be implemented across Europe. Read More

News / Technology

AI check-in: Trip.com seeks to create “perfect trip for a better world” with TripGenie

By Morgan Hines | February 29, 2024

In the past year, users engaging with TripGenie used the Trip.com app for a "remarkable" 20 minutes or more - double the length of app users not engaging with the tool. Read More

News / Distribution

Amadeus 2023 revenue hits €5.4B, expects growth from Vision-Box acquisition

By Linda Fox | February 28, 2024

Amadeus revenue in Q4 increased 18% to almost €1.4 billion with EBITDA up 18% to €469 million and a 47% increase in profit to €210 million. Read More

News / Technology

Spotlight on 3 technology trends in corporate travel

By Linda Fox | February 27, 2024

Recent reports and business travel execs highlight advances in AI, personalization and expense management as the trends to watch. Read More

News / Online

Culture Trip website sold to U.S. media company

By Linda Fox | February 26, 2024

U.S. media company U.S. News & World Report has boosted its existing travel content services with the acquisition of theculturetrip.com website. Read More