Startups

PhocusWire's in-depth coverage of the startups in the travel, tourism and hospitality industry, featuring news, analysis, interviews, research and more.

 alt="Battling external forces: How a startup competes in the tours market"  title="Battling external forces: How a startup competes in the tours market"
News / Online
Battling external forces: How a startup competes in the tours market
By Jill Menze | February 14, 2018
The travel industry has yet to see a clear frontrunner emerge in the tours and attractions space. Be... Read More
 alt="outdoorsy rv marketplace funds"  title="outdoorsy rv marketplace funds"
News / Startups
Peer-to-peer RV marketplace Outdoorsy drives away with $25M
By Mitra Sorrells | February 13, 2018
Outdoorsy, a sharing economy startup connecting owners of recreational vehicles with interested... Read More
 alt="Cool Cousin guide app blockchain"  title="Cool Cousin guide app blockchain"
News / Startups
Local guide app Cool Cousin pivots to blockchain
By Mitra Sorrells | February 13, 2018
When Nadav Saadia and his co-founders launched “Cool Cousin” in 2016, they were aiming to create a new... Read More
 alt="Matchmaking attractions app weeds out big-box and "locally mainstream" tours"  title="Matchmaking attractions app weeds out big-box and "locally mainstream" tours"
News / Startups
Matchmaking attractions app weeds out big-box and "locally mainstream" tours
By Jill Menze | February 13, 2018
With Kolu, the app’s co-founders are harnessing the power of three to put their spin on the local... Read More
 alt="Travel ledger blockchain billing"  title="Travel ledger blockchain billing"
News / Startups
Travel tech entrepreneur launches blockchain system for non-airline services
By Mitra Sorrells | February 12, 2018
A new blockchain-based travel billing and settlement platform is in the works.   ... Read More
 alt="Busbud raises 11M for expansion"  title="Busbud raises 11M for expansion"
News / Startups
Bus travel platform Busbud races ahead with $11M investment
By Mitra Sorrells | January 31, 2018
Busbud, a Montreal-based booking platform for intercity bus tickets, is keen on expansion following... Read More
 alt="American Express buys Mezi chatbot"  title="American Express buys Mezi chatbot"
News / Startups
AmEx buys Mezi, embraces "do-it-for-me" model
By Mitra Sorrells | January 30, 2018
American Express has acquired artificial intelligence-powered assistant Mezi, which co-founder and CEO... Read More
 alt="Cabify ride app funding"  title="Cabify ride app funding"
News / Startups
Ride-sharing app Cabify secures $160M funding
By Mitra Sorrells | January 24, 2018
A new round of funding and new app features are positioning Madrid-based ride-hailing service Cabify... Read More
 alt="Travelport suspends startup accelerator program"  title="Travelport suspends startup accelerator program"
News / Startups
Travelport suspends startup accelerator program
By Kevin May | January 24, 2018
Travelport is ending its Accelerator program for travel startups, just short of three years since its... Read More
 alt="lokckchain booking disruption"  title="lokckchain booking disruption"
News / Distribution
Is this the start of blockchain-based disruption for travel?
By Mitra Sorrells | January 22, 2018
LockChain - what may be the first blockchain-based marketplace for booking hotels and private... Read More
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 alt="Could non-personalization hold the key to retailing success for airlines?"  title="Could non-personalization hold the key to retailing success for airlines?"
May 31, 2023
Could non-personalization hold the key to retailing success for airlines?
Arguably the biggest challenge facing the airline industry centers around how to put the traveler at... Read More
 alt="4 critical T&E data points for high-growth companies to monitor"  title="4 critical T&E data points for high-growth companies to monitor"
July 11, 2022
4 critical T&E data points for high-growth companies to monitor
Monitoring some key data points can help travel and finance managers streamline their programs and... Read More
 alt="REPORT: The reality of modern airline retail - when the sky isn't the limit"  title="REPORT: The reality of modern airline retail - when the sky isn't the limit"
March 26, 2019
REPORT: The reality of modern airline retail - when the sky isn't the limit
In this white paper, carried out in partnership with PROS, we look at the various stages of airlines... Read More