Airbnb acquires GamePlanner.AI, expands AI capabilities
Tech giant invests nearly $200 million in stealth AI startup founded by Siri co-creator
In its first acquisition since 2019 and first-ever as a public company, Airbnb has acquired GamePlanner.AI, a stealth 12-person AI company founded by Adam Cheyer and Siamak Hodjat. Adam Cheyer, known for co-foun [...]
2024: Rebooters, surrenderers, and foodies to set new travel trends
Booking.com has released its annual Travel Predictions research, revealing that travel will be at “the core of existence” in 2024. In other words, the report says that travel will shift from being an escape from reality into a core part of life.
Booking.com’s report states that 80% of APA [...]
Sky high priorities: Passengers demand speed and convenience in 2023
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has unveiled the findings of its 2023 Global Passenger Survey (GPS), shedding light on the evolving priorities of travellers. The resounding message from passengers around the globe is clear: speed and convenience take precedence, and they are incre [...]
Does AI speak in a loud voice, or is it monotone like the sci-fi movies?
It seems like you can’t go 30-minutes these days without hearing talk of Artificial Intelligence or seeing AI-related posts on social media - and for good reason. AI, now dubbed “the new internet”, “the biggest paradigm shift since the iPhone”, and “our future overlord”, has advanced a [...]
Can MYAirline recover? Shock suspension highlights challenges in crowded market
Financial pressures force Malaysian budget carrier to halt flights, prompting assistance from other airlines and regulators.
In a decision that has blindsided the regional aviation industry, MYAirline, a Malaysian budget carrier, has abruptly suspended its operations due to financial pressures, lea [...]
APAC leads in travel resurgence; consumers see trips as a necessity, not luxury
“Stability has returned and seasonality is back,” says Google's Hermione Joye
While the travel industry flourished in 2019, it came to an abrupt halt in 2020 for obvious reasons. Over the past two years, the sector witnessed a series of closures, reopenings, the emergence of vaccinated travel l [...]
SpotQuest wants to turn location-based data into insights for hotels and restaurants
Millions of data points tell a single, actionable story for hotels and restaurants, says founder
In a world where data drives decision-making, the travel industry has long grappled with the challenge of harnessing location-based insights effectively. Hannes Bos, the CEO and Founder of SpotQuest, ai [...]
Global hospitality industry sees double-digit growth in Q4, Europe leads the way
Cultural events help economy, with Beyonce's Seattle concert boosting hotel occupancy by 36%
As we step into the fourth quarter of 2023, the global hospitality industry is experiencing a notable surge in optimism. Amadeus has released its Demand360 business intelligence data, revealing that global [...]
Do consumers care about influencers?
The effectiveness of Influencer Marketing in driving direct sales is not significant, but there’s still a lot of value in this vertical, says Milieu study
In the last decade or so, the undeniable growth of social media has given rise to a new breed of celebrities: the influencers. These individua [...]
Google’s enhanced Bard AI Chatbot integrates with Google apps, expanding possibilities for travel and more
New features improve collaboration, check answers, and extend language support
Goolgle took a big step towards enhancing the capabilities of its generative AI chatbot, Bard, by unveiling a host of new features that enable users to double-check responses, collaborate seamlessly, and integrate with a [...]
