Interviews

 alt="CEO Spotlight: Ariane Gorin of Expedia Group"  title="CEO Spotlight: Ariane Gorin of Expedia Group"
Interview / Online
CEO Spotlight: Ariane Gorin of Expedia Group
By Mitra Sorrells | May 23, 2024
As Gorin moves into the CEO role at Expedia Group, she shares her thoughts on AI, social commerce, the B2B business, Vrbo and OneKey, as well as opinions on Airbnb and the TikTok ban.... Read More
 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="Steve Hafner on 20 years at Kayak: "The innovation isn't over yet""  title="Steve Hafner on 20 years at Kayak: "The innovation isn't over yet""
News / Online
Steve Hafner on 20 years at Kayak: "The innovation isn't over yet"
By D.J. Catron | May 11, 2024
As the metasearch site passes 20 years since its launch, CEO Steve Hafner shares his views on generative AI, Kayak for Business, the future of metasearch and more.  ... Read More
 alt="CEO Spotlight - Kurt Ekert of Sabre"  title="CEO Spotlight - Kurt Ekert of Sabre"
Interview / Distribution
CEO Spotlight - Kurt Ekert of Sabre
By Linda Fox | May 7, 2024
Kurt Ekert joined Sabre as president in January 2022 and became CEO in April 2023. Prior to that he had most recently been president and CEO of CWT and chief commercial officer at Travelport.... Read More
 alt="STARTUP STAGE: Levee uses AI and computer vision to provide quality control for hotels"  title="STARTUP STAGE: Levee uses AI and computer vision to provide quality control for hotels"
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Levee uses AI and computer vision to provide quality control for hotels
By Mitra Sorrells | May 7, 2024
Levee uses proprietary AI models trained on the hotels’ unique data and quality control requirements to create self-inspection tools for housekeeping staff.... Read More
 alt="STARTUP STAGE: Itair aims to help creators make their content bookable with AI"  title="STARTUP STAGE: Itair aims to help creators make their content bookable with AI"
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Itair aims to help creators make their content bookable with AI
By Morgan Hines | April 30, 2024
Itair, Inc. CEO Priya Agarwal believes "Tiktok/Reels are now the new travel search engine," and she and her partner, CTO Swapnil Thombre, are hoping to help creators monetize their work.... 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 inventory.... Read More
 alt="Southwest Airlines' CIO on plans for its $1.7B technology investment"  title="Southwest Airlines' CIO on plans for its $1.7B technology investment"
News / Technology
Southwest Airlines' CIO on plans for its $1.7B technology investment
By Linda Fox | April 8, 2024
Southwest Airlines SVP of technology and chief information officer Lauren Woods discusses the carrier's approach to its tech investments, disruption and modernization through cloud and AI.... Read More
 alt="STARTUP STAGE: Biliki AI is a travel planner for eco-friendly itineraries"  title="STARTUP STAGE: Biliki AI is a travel planner for eco-friendly itineraries"
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Biliki AI is a travel planner for eco-friendly itineraries
By Mitra Sorrells | April 5, 2024
Biliki AI is building a platform that consumers can use to book sustainability-focused trips, with detailed itineraries that include flights, accommodations and experiences.... Read More
 alt="Trip.com Group on growth strategies, experiences and generative AI"  title="Trip.com Group on growth strategies, experiences and generative AI"
News / Distribution
Trip.com Group on growth strategies, experiences and generative AI
By Linda Fox | April 2, 2024
Trip.com COO Schubert Lou discusses the current focus for the China-based online travel agency and the outlook for travel in 2024.... Read More
 alt="STARTUP STAGE: Obvlo helps travel brands provide personalized destination content"  title="STARTUP STAGE: Obvlo helps travel brands provide personalized destination content"
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Obvlo helps travel brands provide personalized destination content
By Mitra Sorrells | April 1, 2024
Founded in 2021, Obvlo currently works with hotels that are part of the Hilton, Marriott and IHG brands, and the company is planning to expand its work to destinations and airlines.... Read More
 alt="Fritz Demopoulos on new frontiers in travel and beyond"  title="Fritz Demopoulos on new frontiers in travel and beyond"
News / Online
Fritz Demopoulos on new frontiers in travel and beyond
By Yeoh Siew Hoon - WiT | March 26, 2024
Fritz Demopolous co-founded Qunar, the first travel metasearch company in China, and has invested in several travel companies including GetYourGuide, TravelPerk and Tourlane.... Read More
 alt="STARTUP STAGE: NowBoarding is a commission-free distribution platform for travel brands"  title="STARTUP STAGE: NowBoarding is a commission-free distribution platform for travel brands"
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: NowBoarding is a commission-free distribution platform for travel brands
By Mitra Sorrells | March 22, 2024
NowBoarding was founded by Christopher Moss, who previously founded Psngr1, a business travel management tool acquired by travel technology firm Snowfall in 2022.... Read More
 alt="Exploring the travel payments landscape in Asia"  title="Exploring the travel payments landscape in Asia"
News / Online
Exploring the travel payments landscape in Asia
By Linda Fox | March 20, 2024
PhocusWire discusses the complexities of travel payments in Asia with Agoda chief commercial officer Damien Pfirsch.... Read More
 alt="STARTUP STAGE: Explorely wants to be “Kayak for outdoor travel”"  title="STARTUP STAGE: Explorely wants to be “Kayak for outdoor travel”"
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Explorely wants to be “Kayak for outdoor travel”
By Mitra Sorrells | March 18, 2024
Explorely is a platform to help travelers find and book campsites and vehicles such as campervans, trailers and motorhomes around North America, with plans to expand into Europe.... Read More