Phocuswright unveils Top 25 travel startups of 2024, 8% from Asia Pacific
New list spotlights pandemic-era innovations, with 17 startups born in the last three years
PhocusWire, the media and news division powered by Phocuswright, has unveiled its list of the "Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2024" at The Phocuswright Conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
This year's sele [...]
Go City and Weixin Pay sign 3-year partnership, notes revenue growth from Chinese customers
Partnership to facilitate sightseeing experiences for Chinese tourists across Go City's platform
Go City, a multi-attraction pass provider, and Weixin Pay, a payment feature within the Weixin app, have formalised a collaboration with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Capitol [...]
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 [...]
A thought revolution needed in sustainability
The next word is biological diversity, says Greenview's Ricaurte
A leading player in hotel sustainability reporting has outlined what he sees as “the next lens” to view humanity’s mission of environmental balance and stewardship
Speaking at WiT Singapore 2023, Eric Ricaurte, CEO of Greenvi [...]
Letter from New York: Sleep tourism’s the next big thing
From Booking.com’s “Reboot Retreaters” prediction to sleep suites in hotels, travellers are yearning for a good snooze
I suppose it is ironic that I am writing about sleep in a city that doesn’t sleep but travelling to New York on that epic 18-hour flight from Singapore has a tendency to se [...]
WiT Podcast: Expedia’s Paredes on how to build successful partnerships
On the first episode of Expedia Talks, a special series powered by Expedia Group, we speak with Alfonso Paredes (SVP, Commercial Partnerships, Expedia Group) about finding synergy in a competitive travel market, looking for common goals among collaborators, and how tech is helping build bridges inst [...]
Murray River Paddlesteamers enhances operations through partnership with Tour Amigo
Murray River Paddlesteamers, a key player in regional (Victoria, Australia) river cruises, has teamed up with Tour Amigo to enhance operational efficiency and customer service.
Murray River Paddlesteamers made the decision to transition to a new technology partner because their existing system, whi [...]
Bansko attracts nomads. Tackling ticket scammers. MATTA’s tiger tokens. More.
This week: Small Bulgarian town has become a magnet for digital nomads, sports ticket seller is kicking goals for travel professionals, e-wallets are opening across Malaysia and Airbnb cops a big fine in Italy.
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Move over, Bali: Bansko is where the nomads [...]
The possibilities & responsibilities of travel in the age of AI and tech
Report From the Global Travel Tech Thinktank at WiT Singapore 2023
The first Global Travel Tech Thinktank, held by WiT, Phocuswright and Phocuswire, in 2022, covered the theme of “How To Future Proof Travel: Resilience, Responsibility, Respect”.
A direct outcome of that Thinktank was the lau [...]
PADI and Klook form partnership, give out scuba diving certifications worldwide
PADI, a purpose-driven organisation with a global presence spanning 6,600 dive centers and resorts, and Klook, the sole Online Travel Agency (OTA) in Asia Pacific partnering with PADI, have joined forces to simplify and streamline the process of becoming a certified PADI Scuba Diver. This collaborat [...]
