Big bets, bold moves: Investors double down on Middle East’s travel startup future
In a region undergoing massive economic transformation, the Middle East’s travel sector is becoming fertile ground for venture bets – from Umrah companions and cargo startups to AI-led personalisation.
At the WiT Phocuswright Middle East panel moderated by Phocuswright Managing Director Pete Co [...]
80% of hotels still spend days on manual reports, says global benchmark report
Manual work still dominates despite the buzz around AI - highlighting both the tech gap and operational reality
The NYU School of Professional Studies (NYU SPS) Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality and its Hospitality Innovation Hub (HI Hub), in collaboration with RateGain Travel Technologies Li [...]
Not first but fast followers: Michael Cawley on Ryanair’s tech playbook, OTA rapprochement & regulatory realities
Michael Cawley may be best known for his long tenure as Deputy CEO and COO of Ryanair, but his thinking continues to influence not just aviation, but also how we see technology, regulation, and the distribution battleground in Europe.
In a wide-ranging interview at Phocuswright Europe, Cawley lai [...]
WiT Podcast: From lucky beginnings to a mind-blowing future
Omri Morgenshtern reflects on 20 years of Agoda and 10 years of leadership
This WiT Podcast exclusive is part of our “Conversations on Turning 20” series.
If you’ve ever wondered what happens when a tech-loving realist runs one of Asia’s biggest travel platfor [...]
Aviation’s dual reality: Dreaming of the future, grounded in the now
At WiT Phocuswright Middle East, aviation leaders debated the next 10 years of travel distribution, payments, and digital transformation, and the balance between ambition and realism.
At a time when every industry panel seems to default to AI, it was refreshing to hear leaders in aviation and tech [...]
AI, multimodality & the human heart: Amy Wei on designing for the Golden Age of Travel
At WiT Japan & North Asia 2025, Amy Wei walked onto stage jet-lagged but charged – with fresh insights from Google I/O in California, her own AI panel at Trip’s Envision Summit in Shanghai, and now, Tokyo. Her global sprint mirrors the speed at which generative AI is transforming travel and [...]
From Ryokans to Ray-Bans: Adrienne Enggist on how AI can enable Omotenashi for the digital age
From Ryokans to Ray-Bans: Booking.com’s Adrienne Enggist on AI breaking barriers and a world without screens
When Adrienne Enggist walks into a room, whether it’s a tech summit in Amsterdam or a ryokan in Arima Onsen, she brings the future with her.
At WiT Japan & North Asia 2025, which [...]
JTB Launches Teal. Lloyds Debuts Travel Portal. Prince Harry Pushes APAC Sustainability. Platinum & Acai Unite on AI. More.
JTB Unveils Teal to Streamline Global Business Travel
JTB Business Travel has launched Teal, a next-generation, cloud-based travel management platform powered by Spotnana, aimed at changing the way companies handle business travel. Teal brings together travel managers, travelers, and JTB advisors o [...]
ByteDance is tearing up the online travel playbook
In an age where social media has become pervasive, it seems inevitable that holiday bookings would eventually join cat videos and influencer selfies in the endless scroll of your feed. Yet even the most seasoned industry observers might be surprised by the speed at which social commerce has turned f [...]
Filip Filipov on why AI needs a higher purpose | Conversations On Turning 20
When you get to the ripe young age of 20, you’re bound to collect lots of stories – not only about the past but lessons for the future.
As WiT marks its 20th year in 2025, we turn the spotlight on our community, our tribe pioneers and leaders, to tell their stories and share their views on th [...]
