Tripadvisor to sell TheFork to American Express for $700M
News / Finance
Tripadvisor to sell TheFork to American Express for $700M
By Mitra Sorrells June 15, 2026
The deal would expand American Express' dining footprint in Europe while allowing Tripadvisor to focus more heavily on its experiences business. Read More
Startup Stage: Loook wants to be the storytelling layer for in-destination discovery
Interview / Startups
Startup Stage: Loook wants to be the storytelling layer for in-destination discovery
By Cathy Walsh June 15, 2026
Loook is building a GPS-enabled storytelling platform that automatically delivers location-based stories to travelers as they move through destinations, helping tourism organizations extend engagement beyond traditional attractions. Read More
News / Technology
Mayumi Nakamura Birt on reinvention, resilience and the art of the imperfect
By Yeoh Siew Hoon - WiT June 15, 2026
Veltra’s chief transformation officer explains how AI is challenging Japan’s culture of perfection—and why women may be uniquely suited to thrive in the AI era.... Read More
News / Technology
PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: Travelport, Daytrip, Lighthouse and more...
By PhocusWire June 12, 2026
Keep up with all the latest people, partner and product news from around the global travel industry.... Read More
News / Distribution
Cloudbeds, Journey partner to help independent hotels compete with brand loyalty programs
By Cathy Walsh June 11, 2026
Journey’s AI-driven loyalty engine will be integrated into the Cloudbeds platform, giving independent properties a new way to incentivize direct bookings.... Read More
News / Online
UK investigates Ryanair over family seat fees
By Cathy Walsh June 11, 2026
The UK regulator is examining whether the airline's mandatory family seat reservation fee breaches consumer law and obscures the true cost of travel.... Read More

In Phocus Podcast

Final episode of Season 6 - May 6, 2026

New season coming June 17! Listen to all episodes 

News / Technology
Early AI lessons, experiments at Expedia Group
Chief product officer Shilpa Ranganathan discussed Expedia Group’s AI innovation pace, early chatbot... Read more
News / Technology
Hotels face speed problem as video platforms reshape the booking journey
Hospitality leaders say legacy operating models are ill-equipped for an era of AI-powered discovery... Read more
News / Technology
Where hotel AI ambitions meet structural reality
Executives from Choice, Minor and Ascott discuss AI implementation strategies and share how they are... Read more
Opinion / Technology
OTA moats against AI disruption may be shallower than they appear
Christian Watts, founder and CEO of Magpie, argues that loyalty programs, unique inventory and... Read more
News / Technology
Expedia Group chairman Barry Diller says AI won't replace humans
Expedia Group is intent on pursuing AI opportunities, but the company’s chairman has expressed... Read more
News / Technology
Architecture, pace, culture: Navigating travel's AI transition
Executives from Hilton, Air Canada, Marriott and Evolve share what they have learned revamping legacy... Read more

From Our Partners

AI News in Travel
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Startup Stage: Loook wants to be the storytelling layer for in-destination discovery
Loook is building a GPS-enabled storytelling platform that automatically delivers location-based... Read More
Mayumi Nakamura Birt on reinvention, resilience and the art of the imperfect
Veltra’s chief transformation officer explains how AI is challenging Japan’s culture of perfection—and... Read More
Top investors in travel tech 2026
The top investors in travel tech 2026.... Read More
PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: Travelport, Daytrip, Lighthouse and more...
Keep up with all the latest people, partner and product news from around the global travel industry.... Read More
AI is the next productivity shock: Can travel reap the gains?
Jamie Lane, chief economist for AirDNA, explores how AI could reshape travel demand, distribution and... Read More
Cloudbeds, Journey partner to help independent hotels compete with brand loyalty programs
Journey’s AI-driven loyalty engine will be integrated into the Cloudbeds platform, giving independent... Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2026

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