Survival of the fittest: How OTAs are competing in the Middle East
In an increasingly competitive Middle East online travel landscape, staying ahead demands more than just speed – it requires sharp differentiation, relentless innovation, and smart use of AI. That was the dominant mood as top OTA leaders from Booking.com, Wego, Almosafer, and Travelwings gath [...]
Hostelworld charts new course as world’s first social travel platform
Hostelworld recently outlined its medium-term strategic growth plan at its Capital Markets Day in London, underscoring its ambitions to scale its differentiated, social travel-focused OTA platform and deliver sustained shareholder value. Following strong financial performance and the full repayment [...]
Elevating on-site quality and experiences is the next big step to attract high-value tourists to the GCC
Mabrian, a global travel intelligence platform returns as data partner for the Connecting Travel Insights Report 2025, launched at ATM Dubai, a study that reveals trends behind the GCC’s evolution into a top-tier tourism destination and key priorities to be addressed in this journey, including har [...]
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 [...]
Airbnb makes bank-ish. Vibing with Priceline. AirAsia MOVE gets Easy Cancel. More.
Technoheaven unveils AI-driven smart markup tool and inventory distribution system
At ATM 2025, travel technology firm Technoheaven debuted its Smart Markup module, a new tool designed to help travel businesses improve profitability through predictive pricing. Powered by AI, the tool analyses booki [...]
Jazeera Airways partners with HTS to introduce Cancel for Any Reason and Disruption for Any Reason
These first-time fintech products in the Middle East aim to enhance booking flexibility and passenger experience
Jazeera Airways and HTS, the B2B division of Hopper, have joined hands to introduce Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) and Disruption Assistance For Any Reason (DAFAR) on the airline’s dir [...]
The shifting sands of social: From inspiration to action, from influence to selling
At a time when travellers are booking trips based on TikTok trends and planning itineraries via AI, the intersection of social media and travel commerce has never been more dynamic or more challenging for brands.
At Phocuswright WiT Middle East 2025, a panel of marketers, creators and platform [...]
The future of travel: Zero-phase UI and IT employees reporting to HR
In a lively and sometimes irreverent panel at Phocuswright WiT Middle East in Dubai last week, hospitality and travel technology leaders debated how AI, automation, and invisible operations are reshaping the future of travel, payments, and the guest experience.
The session kicked off on a playful [...]
AI in action: When your concierge is an AI Agent and still sends cake
When the AI you built starts sending birthday cakes unprompted, you know you’re no longer just playing with automation anymore. You are looking at AI with a mind of its own.
That’s exactly what happened at The Luxe Nomad, a luxury villa booking platform. During a chat, guest mentioned about a b [...]
Laura Houldsworth on Corporate travel, AI and Taggable Tourism | 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 [...]
