Despegar

News / Technology

Exoticca lands €60M investment to grow multi-day tours platform

By Linda Fox | July 24, 2024

Exoticca said the investment will go towards bringing in AI capabilities to its technology platform as well as brand building, particularly in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Read More

News / Technology

Despegar reports Q1 gains, AI enhancements

By Linda Fox | May 17, 2024

The company said its Sofia AI assistant now includes hotel recommendations and enables users to search by city and dates as well as budget and key amenities. Read More

News / Technology

Despegar shares AI trip planner details, reports record quarter

By Linda Fox | March 15, 2024

During its Q4 and full-year 2023 results, the company said it had achieved its highest gross bookings since its IPO in 2017 and shared further details of its AI trip assistant Sofia. Read More

News / Technology

Despegar debuts GenAI travel assistant for trip inspiration and booking

By Mitra Sorrells | March 4, 2024

Customers can use the "Sofia" tool through text or voice or by clicking on visual options and can return to chats even days later with the interaction saved in the system. Read More

News / Online

CEO Spotlight - Damian Scokin of Despegar

By Linda Fox | February 20, 2024

In a discussion with PhocusWire, Despegar CEO Damian Scokin talks about carrying momentum from 2023 into the year ahead, the role of artificial intelligence and growth opportunities for the Latin... Read More

News / Technology

Travel insiders swap insights on push for better data

By PhocusWire | December 22, 2023

The Phocuswright Bridge Series brought together experts from Trip.com, Despegar and the Saudi Tourism Authority. Read More

News / Online

Earnings roundup: Vacasa, HomeToGo, Amex GBT and Despegar

By Linda Fox | November 10, 2023

A roundup of the third quarter 2023 earnings for travel companies, including Amex GBT, Despegar and HomeToGo. Read More

News / Technology

Despegar rolls out generative AI trip planner, starting in Argentina

By Mitra Sorrells | September 27, 2023

Travelers can use the planner to receive customized itineraries, put together packages that combine flights, accommodations and car rentals and receive recommendations of what to do in their... Read More

News / Online

Despegar reports record quarter for revenue

By Linda Fox | August 17, 2023

The Latin America OTA reported its first positive quarter since 2019 with net income of $28 million. Read More

News / Online

Despegar gets boost from travel packages in Q1

By Linda Fox | May 22, 2023

Reporting first quarter results for 2023, the company said travel demand in Latin America continues to recover with Despegar reporting gross booking up 44% year over year to $1 billion. Read More

alt="smartryde-funding-api" title="smartryde-funding-api"

News / Startups

Japan’s SmartRyde raises $3.4M as it expands airport transfer marketplace

By Mitra Sorrells | April 9, 2023

Along with the funding, SmartRyde has created an API so online travel agencies and airlines can connect directly to its global network to easily offer pre-booked airport transfers in their booking... Read More

alt="despegar-q4-2022" title="despegar-q4-2022"

News / Online

Despegar sees Latin America market recovery by year end

By Linda Fox | March 16, 2023

Despegar has launched packages functionality and redesigned its mobile app, which currently accounts for about half of bookings. Read More

alt="Bridge Series PCW 2022" title="Bridge Series PCW 2022"

News / Online

4 OTA CEOs on future opportunities

By Kathryn Walson | December 22, 2022

Etraveli’s Mathias Hedlund, Traveloka’s Caesar Indra, Priceline’s Brett Keller and Despegar’s Damian Scokin discuss their latest strategies. Read More