PhocusWire

@Phocuswright  has unveiled the program for Phocuswright Europe 2026, based on the strategic and operational shifts reshaping the travel industry. Senior leaders across the global travel ecosystem will convene to compare approaches, challenge assumptions and get a clearer take on where the market is headed. Read the full article on #Phocuswire to learn more about Phocuswright Europe 2026. phocuswire.com/events/online/… #travel #traveltech #travelindustry

Altitude AI is building an AI-first business travel platform aimed at companies with unmanaged programs. The approach combines trip planning, booking and spend controls, giving employees an AI-powered travel assistant while helping to control costs. Read the full article by Linda Fox on #Phocuswire phocuswire.com/startup-stage-… #travel #traveltech #travelindustry

Here's our roundup of the people, product and partner news from the global travel industry this week. @KlookTravel , @Spotnana , @AirCanada , @wizzair, Hopper Technology Solutions, @roomex , 12Go, @bookingkit , Travel Forward (formerly the Travel Foundation), @Datalex , Air Macau, @KAYAK , @Fareportal , Duffel, @HotelMinder , Lighthouse, PKFARE, Wano, AirAsia MOVE, @WEX_Travel , Extend Check out the full article on #PhocusWire to see the latest news from these companies! phocuswire.com/travel-tech-ne… #travel #traveltech #travelindustry

Trifork has acquired VION AI, adding real-time operational intelligence to its aviation software business. The deal adds VION AI’s tools for tracking and analyzing activity on the ground during aircraft turnarounds. Trifork plans to fold that technology into its iFly4 platform, which is used by airlines and airports to manage operations and passenger service. Read the full article by Cathy Walsh on #Phocuswire phocuswire.com/trifork-acquir… #travel #traveltech #travelindustry

The #hospitalityindustry is under pressure to digitize nearly every part of the business, from operations and distribution to payments and partner relationships. In this conversation, Noelani Schroy, vice president of sales at @onyxcentrsource, discusses how #hotels, #travelagencies and vendors are navigating that balance. Watch the full discussion now on #PhocusWire, bit.ly/4983SbB. #travelnews #traveltech #travelindustry #businessintelligence #travelpayments #traveltechnews #AI

The #hospitalityindustry is under pressure to digitize nearly every part of the business, from operations and distribution to payments and partner relationships. In this conversation, Noelani Schroy, vice president of sales at @onyxcentrsource, discusses how #hotels, #travelagencies and vendors are navigating that balance. Watch the full discussion now on #PhocusWire, bit.ly/4983SbB. #travelnews #traveltech #travelindustry #businessintelligence #travelpayments #traveltechnews #AI

DirectBooker, an aggregator connecting hotels to AI assistants, has announced supply agreements with five hotel chains including BWH Hotels and Radisson Hotel Group. Read the full story by Linda Fox on #Phocuswire phocuswire.com/news/distribut… #travel #traveltech #travelindustry

@ixigo has launched ChatGPT apps for its ixigo, AbhiBus and ConfirmTkt platforms. The company said Tuesday that users can search flights, hotels, trains and buses through ChatGPT before seamlessly booking on ixigo’s respective branded apps or website. Read the full article by Cathy Walsh on #Phocuswire phocuswire.com/ixigo-launches… #travel #traveltech #travelindustry

@BookingHoldings is positioning its artificial intelligence (AI) efforts as a moat against general AI models. The company reported early testing showed lifts in user conversion, reduced customer service interaction and other positive metrics across brands. CEO Glenn Fogel shared a progress report on Booking Holdings’ AI endeavors ranging from @priceline 's Penny and conversational shopping to Booking.com’s implementations in search and self-service and @agoda use to boost efficiency. phocuswire.com/news/online/bo… Read the full article by Morgan Hines on #Phocuswire #travel #traveltech #travelindustry

@Uber is expanding further into travel, adding hotel bookings and offering rewards to encourage its nearly 50 million loyalty members to book accommodations through the rideshare giant. The company is also adding AI-powered voice booking, travel recommendations and more to its platform as part of its multi-pronged release, unveiled at its GO-GET event in New York Wednesday. Read the full story by Morgan Hines on #Phocuswire phocuswire.com/news/technolog… #travel #traveltech #travelindustry

@HiltonHotels chief Chris Nassetta said the company plans to open its app to more of the large language models including Gemini and OpenAI in the coming weeks. That said he doesn't see the distribution landscape changing in a significant way any time soon despite the rapid AI developments. Read the full article by Linda Fox on #Phocuswire phocuswire.com/news/distribut… #travel #traveltech #travelindustry

The desire to travel has never been stronger in Southeast Asia. The problem, according to Nadia Omer, is that the industry hasn’t caught up with the person doing the desiring. Speaking at Travel Tech Thursdays Kuala Lumpur, themed “AI & The Aspiring Traveler in ASEAN,” the CEO of AirAsia MOVE sat down with @WebInTravel founder Yeoh Siew Hoon for a candid conversation about generational shifts, trust gaps, pent-up demand and why the region’s next great travel disruption hasn’t happened yet. Read the full story by YEOH SIEW HOON on #Phocuswire phocuswire.com/interviews/onl… #travelnews #travelindustry #travel

For many hosts and property managers in the short-term rental (STR) sector, platforms like @Airbnb and @vrbo have become essential distribution channels. But they come at a price, thanks in part to shifting commission fees. Limited ownership of customer details is also causing frustration, leading to a wider direct-booking push. The opportunity to adopt a different business model looks increasingly appealing. TravelSmarter uses agentic AI to help frequent travelers optimize airline status, points and rewards by aggregating fragmented loyalty data and providing real-time guidance on booking decisions. Read the full article by MATTHEW PARSONS on #Phocuswire phocuswire.com/news/distribut… #travelnews #travelindustry #travel

Travel Smarter uses agentic AI to help frequent travelers optimize airline status, points and rewards by aggregating fragmented loyalty data and providing real-time guidance on booking decisions. The approach aims to increase value for travelers while creating new opportunities for agencies and employers. Travelin.ai is among the first corporate booking platforms to embed Smarter Travel’s loyalty intelligence into the booking flow. phocuswire.com/startup-stage-… Read the full article by Cathy Walsh on #Phocuswire #travelnews #travelindustry #travel

International arrivals to the United States fell 5.5% in 2025, even as global tourism rose 4%. Canadian visitors have pulled back sharply. European carriers are cutting routes. At the same time, the premium-led recovery that defined post-pandemic travel is showing its first signs of strain. @Deloitte 's 2026 Travel Industry Outlook found that even higher-income travelers are spending less. For an industry running on tighter-than-ever margins, there's little room for error. phocuswire.com/opinion/online… Read the full story by Prashant Shah on #Phocuswire #travelnews #travelindustry #travel

For indulgent travelers, “premium ROI” is service-led and risk-averse. According to @Phocuswright research report Quiet Luxury in Motion: The Indulgent Explorer Mindset, safety and security (45%) and food and beverage quality (43%) are the most common non-negotiables. Privacy and well-being follow, and these attributes begin to distinguish a trip as truly premium after the basics are locked in. Read the full article on #Phocuswire phocuswire.com/news/online/lu… #travelnews #travelindustry #travel

Here's our roundup of the people, product and partner news from the global travel industry this week. @VirginAtlantic , @rome2rio , @civitatis , @Travelport , Webjet, Adalte, Repayd, Talma, @Spotnana , Journey, @Navan , @Guesty , @GetYourGuide , ATPCO, @AirEuropa , Retailaer, @PROS_Inc , @eviivo, @ProfitroomINT and @Braze Check out the full article on #PhocusWire to see the latest news from these companies! phocuswire.com/travel-tech-ne… #travelnews #travelindustry #travel

@lyft has acquired the U.K. business of London black cab app Gett for an undisclosed amount with the deal expected to close in the coming weeks. The acquisition enables Lyft to offer a range of ground transport options from black cabs to bikes and chauffeur services in London. Read the full article by Linda Fox on #Phocuswire phocuswire.com/news/online/ly… #travel #traveltech #travelindustry

Travel companies are beginning to discuss AI costs—think tens of thousands of dollars monthly—but that is likely a drop in the ocean of what’s coming. While having teams begging for more tokens at the end of the week can be seen as a positive, at some point the investors putting billions into AI platforms will want their money back. At the Short Stay Summit in London this week Steve Schwab, founder and CEO of Casago and Graham Donoghue, group CEO of Forge Holiday Group discussed the challenge during an AI-focused session. Read the full story by Linda Fox on #Phocuswire phocuswire.com/news/technolog… #travelnews #travelindustry #travel

eDreams ODIGEO has announced AI updates, including the introduction of a proprietary AI trip planning feature and a ChatGPT app. “We are just beginning to scratch the surface of our model's potential to deliver a hyper-personalized, frictionless experience,” said Carsten Bernhard, CTO at eDreams. Read the full article by Morgan Hines on #Phocuswire phocuswire.com/news/technolog… #travel #traveltech #travelindustry