Interviews

 alt="SparkToro's Rand Fishkin on Google, zero-click content and why loyalty is the key to travel marketing"  title="SparkToro's Rand Fishkin on Google, zero-click content and why loyalty is the key to travel marketing"
News / Online
SparkToro's Rand Fishkin on Google, zero-click content and why loyalty is the key to travel marketing
By Mitra Sorrells | July 30, 2024
Spurred by SparkToro's recent analysis of search behavior on Google in both the United States and Europe, PhocusWire talked to Fishkin about digital marketing trends and his advice for the travel industry.... Read More
 alt="STARTUP STAGE: Wanderboat wants to be an AI-companion for travel planning"  title="STARTUP STAGE: Wanderboat wants to be an AI-companion for travel planning"
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Wanderboat wants to be an AI-companion for travel planning
By Mileva Sapic | July 25, 2024
Founded in 2023, Wanderboat provides an AI-augmented forum for users to discover new ideas, post their experiences and connect with other travelers.... Read More
 alt="The importance of “small wins” in developing a long-term AI strategy"  title="The importance of “small wins” in developing a long-term AI strategy"
News / Technology
The importance of “small wins” in developing a long-term AI strategy
By Mitra Sorrells | July 25, 2024
Agent Studio's Cesc Vilanova and Acai Travel's Riky Vittoria - two people who have been developing artificial intelligence solutions for year - offer advice on how to employ the technology.... Read More
 alt="Ravlling wants to be Northern Europe's “conscious travel” booking platform"  title="Ravlling wants to be Northern Europe's “conscious travel” booking platform"
Interview / Startups
Ravlling wants to be Northern Europe's “conscious travel” booking platform
By Morgan Hines | July 16, 2024
Founded in 2022, Ravlling aims to make searching for sustainable travel options easy, provides curated options and inspiration.... Read More
 alt="CEO Spotlight: Nadia Omer of AirAsia MOVE"  title="CEO Spotlight: Nadia Omer of AirAsia MOVE"
Interview / Online
CEO Spotlight: Nadia Omer of AirAsia MOVE
By Mitra Sorrells | July 12, 2024
Previously known as AirAsia Superapp, AirAsia MOVE is the online travel agency brand of Capital A, which also operates AirAsia airline. AirAsia MOVE and fintech brand BigPay constitute MOVE Digital, Capital A’s digital arm.... Read More
 alt="ConnexPay - Launch pitch at Phocuswright Europe 2024"  title="ConnexPay - Launch pitch at Phocuswright Europe 2024"
Interview / Technology
ConnexPay - Launch pitch at Phocuswright Europe 2024
By PhocusWire | July 9, 2024
 Founded in 2017, ConnexPay integrates both sides of the payment ecosystem – accepting and making payments – inside a single global platform.... Read More
 alt="STARTUP STAGE: FreeGuides empowers hotels to accompany their guests beyond the lobby"  title="STARTUP STAGE: FreeGuides empowers hotels to accompany their guests beyond the lobby"
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: FreeGuides empowers hotels to accompany their guests beyond the lobby
By Mileva Sapic | July 8, 2024
FreeGuides is committed to enriching the guest experience while also enhancing hotel operations by using QR code-driven solutions to make content creation efficient and straightforward.... Read More
 alt="STARTUP STAGE: Seeru is a marketplace to help Muslims travel across the U.A.E"  title="STARTUP STAGE: Seeru is a marketplace to help Muslims travel across the U.A.E"
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Seeru is a marketplace to help Muslims travel across the U.A.E
By Linda Fox | July 2, 2024
The company said it is launching a first in the region app that aims to serve 90 million out of 2 billion Muslims, making Umrah accessible through its tech-driven approach.... Read More
 alt="Takyon - Launch pitch at Phocuswright Europe 2024"  title="Takyon - Launch pitch at Phocuswright Europe 2024"
Interview / Startups
Takyon - Launch pitch at Phocuswright Europe 2024
By PhocusWire | July 1, 2024
Takyon turns non-refundable travel reservations into digital goods, using a blockchain-based tokenization process, so they can be resold or exchanged.... Read More
 alt="Oracle Hospitality’s new SVP on cloud-based PMSs, the value of partnerships and AI"  title="Oracle Hospitality’s new SVP on cloud-based PMSs, the value of partnerships and AI"
Interview / Technology
Oracle Hospitality’s new SVP on cloud-based PMSs, the value of partnerships and AI
By D.J. Catron | June 28, 2024
Oracle’s Hospitality’s Laura Calin has been with the company since its 2014 acquisition of Micros, where she had worked since the 1990s - starting as a lead developer on the original Opera system.... Read More
 alt="Visa - Launch pitch at Phocuswright Europe 2024"  title="Visa - Launch pitch at Phocuswright Europe 2024"
Interview / Online
Visa - Launch pitch at Phocuswright Europe 2024
By PhocusWire | June 24, 2024
Visa's Commercial Pay is a suite of B2B payment solutions, to help improve cashflow for businesses and eliminate outdated manual processes.... Read More
 alt="STARTUP STAGE: Welcome Compass provides personalized guest guidebooks at scale"  title="STARTUP STAGE: Welcome Compass provides personalized guest guidebooks at scale"
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Welcome Compass provides personalized guest guidebooks at scale
By Morgan Hines | June 20, 2024
Welcome Compass uses artificial intelligence to generate a personalized digital guide for guests that can include house rules, local recommendations, check-in/check-out instructions and more.... Read More
 alt="STARTUP STAGE: Stellar allows consumers to repurpose their unused reservations"  title="STARTUP STAGE: Stellar allows consumers to repurpose their unused reservations"
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Stellar allows consumers to repurpose their unused reservations
By Mileva Sapic | June 17, 2024
Stellar is a marketplace committed to reselling nonrefundable and noncancellable reservations and tickets across a broad spectrum of experiences, including travel, dining, concerts and sporting events.... Read More
 alt="123compare.me – EMEA Travel Innovation Award winner at Phocuswright Europe 2024"  title="123compare.me – EMEA Travel Innovation Award winner at Phocuswright Europe 2024"
Interview / Startups
123compare.me – EMEA Travel Innovation Award winner at Phocuswright Europe 2024
By PhocusWire | June 12, 2024
123Compare.me is a pricing tool that empowers hotel groups to master room distribution by targeting and resolving online price disparities.... Read More
 alt="STARTUP STAGE: Trustr is a private marketplace for vacation rental discovery"  title="STARTUP STAGE: Trustr is a private marketplace for vacation rental discovery"
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Trustr is a private marketplace for vacation rental discovery
By Mileva Sapic | June 5, 2024
Launching publicly Wednesday, Trustr is a vacation rental marketplace that enables its members to make properties they own available to people they know and capitalize on recommendations for places to stay from people they trust.... Read More