Group Travel

 alt="STARTUP STAGE: StretchBill enables STR managers to offer layaway-style payment option"  title="STARTUP STAGE: StretchBill enables STR managers to offer layaway-style payment option"
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: StretchBill enables STR managers to offer layaway-style payment option
By Mitra Sorrells | May 16, 2024
Founded in 2023, StretchBill creates a pay-over-time option for short-term rentals, including an option that lets individuals traveling together each take responsibility for specific payments. Read More
 alt="As Gorin debuts as CEO, Expedia Group launches new AI assistant, content creator shops"  title="As Gorin debuts as CEO, Expedia Group launches new AI assistant, content creator shops"
News / Technology
As Gorin debuts as CEO, Expedia Group launches new AI assistant, content creator shops
By Morgan Hines | May 14, 2024
 At Expedia Group's Explore event, the company announced a new generative AI trip planning tool and content creator marketplaces.   Read More
 alt="Expensify to launch travel platform"  title="Expensify to launch travel platform"
News / Online
Expensify to launch travel platform
By Morgan Hines | May 8, 2024
Expensify Travel will exist as part of a partnership between Expensify and Spotnana and has been built on Spotnana’s travel-as-a-service platform. Read More
 alt="Joyned releases AI planner to drive social revenue for online travel vendors"  title="Joyned releases AI planner to drive social revenue for online travel vendors"
News / Technology
Joyned releases AI planner to drive social revenue for online travel vendors
By D.J. Catron | May 2, 2024
The tool enables users to discuss, decide and book together, straight from the vendor’s website. Read More
 alt="AI-powered trip planner Mindtrip officially launches"  title="AI-powered trip planner Mindtrip officially launches"
News / Technology
AI-powered trip planner Mindtrip officially launches
By Morgan Hines | May 1, 2024
Mindtrip, which had been available in beta, made its official consumer debut Wednesday. Read More
 alt="How technology is helping to fuel wellness opportunities for travelers"  title="How technology is helping to fuel wellness opportunities for travelers"
News / Technology
How technology is helping to fuel wellness opportunities for travelers
By Morgan Hines | April 26, 2024
Travel tech leaders focused on wellness have an eye trained on the future - with predictions as to how technology may impact traveler wellness and wellness tourism. Read More
 alt="STARTUP STAGE: RoomRite is a resale marketplace for group hotel blocks"  title="STARTUP STAGE: RoomRite is a resale marketplace for group hotel blocks"
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: RoomRite is a resale marketplace for group hotel blocks
By Mitra Sorrells | April 24, 2024
RoomRite CEO Michael Weiss describes the startup as "the StubHub" of room blocks - enabling meeting and event professionals to sell rooms they no longer need or buy rooms when there is limited time or... Read More
 alt="Travel companies navigate changes to Google’s search function"  title="Travel companies navigate changes to Google’s search function"
News / Technology
Travel companies navigate changes to Google’s search function
By Morgan Hines | April 18, 2024
Some travel companies have seen changes in search results following Google’s latest update, which addresses in part “low quality AI-generated content that’s designed to attract clicks.”  Read More
 alt="Trip.com Group’s Trip.Biz launches business travel booking app"  title="Trip.com Group’s Trip.Biz launches business travel booking app"
News / Technology
Trip.com Group’s Trip.Biz launches business travel booking app
By Morgan Hines | April 15, 2024
Trip.Biz, a digital travel management company, aims to revolutionize the organization of business travel. Read More
 alt="How travel clubs are driving revenue, loyalty and customer experience"  title="How travel clubs are driving revenue, loyalty and customer experience"
From Our Partners / Online
How travel clubs are driving revenue, loyalty and customer experience
By PhocusWire | April 8, 2024
Custom Travel Solutions founder Mike Putman explains the benefits of a travel club and how brands are using this type of offering to drive revenue and loyalty. Read More
 alt="Blueground raises $45 million in Series D funding round"  title="Blueground raises $45 million in Series D funding round"
News / Startups
Blueground raises $45 million in Series D funding round
By Morgan Hines | March 28, 2024
The global operator of flexible, furnished rentals will use the funding to develop technology and advance strategic initiatives. Read More
 alt="Spotnana adds travel management for meetings and events"  title="Spotnana adds travel management for meetings and events"
News / Technology
Spotnana adds travel management for meetings and events
By Mitra Sorrells | March 13, 2024
Spotnana Events is a self-service solution employees can use to book and manage their travel for meetings and events. Read More
 alt="What happens when travelers find tours too authentic?"  title="What happens when travelers find tours too authentic?"
News / Online
What happens when travelers find tours too authentic?
By Morgan Hines | February 26, 2024
An “authentic” experience that included a fried dog in a local market set off a lively discussion of what responsibilities tour operators — and travelers — bear when encountering unfamiliar cultures. Read More
 alt="Duetto focuses on groups and events with acquisition of Micerate"  title="Duetto focuses on groups and events with acquisition of Micerate"
News / Technology
Duetto focuses on groups and events with acquisition of Micerate
By Linda Fox | February 7, 2024
The Micerate platform brings revenue optimization tools to hotels, makes the quoting process more efficient and creates personalized meeting and event space booking engines for properties. Read More
 alt="Joyned receives $8M in funding"  title="Joyned receives $8M in funding"
News / Startups
Joyned receives $8M in funding
By Morgan Hines | January 31, 2024
Joyned enables online travel agencies, hotels and other booking sites to offer group travel planning and booking on their websites, to create a seamless and collaborative booking process.  Read More