Travel Inspiration

Airbnb solicits new Experiences with new details of what it will offer in upcoming relaunch
News / Online
Airbnb solicits new Experiences with new details of what it will offer in upcoming relaunch
By Morgan Hines | March 13, 2025
The company is also hiring for several roles related to its Experiences business, including market managers tasked with supply growth in cities around the world. Read More
AI trip planner Mindtrip acquires travel guide platform Thatch
News / Startups
AI trip planner Mindtrip acquires travel guide platform Thatch
By Morgan Hines | March 12, 2025
In a post addressed to creators and travelers Monday, Thatch said its content has migrated to Mindtrip. Read More
Is an "app-ocalypse" nigh for hospitality tech as AI agents advance?
News / Technology
Is an "app-ocalypse" nigh for hospitality tech as AI agents advance?
By Florian Montag - Apaleo | March 10, 2025
Instead of relying on humans as connective tissue, AI agents acting as self-learning, adaptive digital assistants will manage the entire hospitality tech ecosystem autonomously in the future. Read More
Will metasearch remain relevant with agentic AI's rise?
News / Technology
Will metasearch remain relevant with agentic AI's rise?
By Morgan Hines | March 6, 2025
With OpenAI’s January launch of Operator, a tool that can book travel, questions have emerged on what changes will come and what industry sectors will be most affected. Read More
Trip.com Group, WTTC provide glimpse of future technology game changers
News / Technology
Trip.com Group, WTTC provide glimpse of future technology game changers
By Linda Fox | March 5, 2025
The Trip.com Group/WTTC study is divided into four trend areas-digital technologies, financial technologies, future of mobility and breakthrough innovations- and evaluates why the trends are important... Read More
Alexa+ could earn “top-of-the-funnel” spot in travel research
News / Technology
Alexa+ could earn “top-of-the-funnel” spot in travel research
By Morgan Hines | March 4, 2025
Travel brands including Tripadvisor and Uber have partnered with Amazon for the debut of its reimagined voice assistant. Read More
AI travel software provider Maya raises €1M
News / Startups
AI travel software provider Maya raises €1M
By Morgan Hines | February 27, 2025
The funding, which included investors such as Lighthouse, will be used to fuel global growth and further develop the company's white-label AI assistant.   Read More
Why travel marketers can (and should) expect more from their affiliate strategy
Opinion / Online
Why travel marketers can (and should) expect more from their affiliate strategy
By Joshua Heller - Rakuten Advertising | February 27, 2025
A sophisticated affiliate strategy can ensure you’re reaching the right person, at the right time, with the right message according to Josh Heller of Rakuten Advertising. Read More
A look at how U.S. travelers plan and book lodging
News / Online
A look at how U.S. travelers plan and book lodging
By Phocuswright Research | February 25, 2025
It seems many travelers start planning with a specific place in mind (almost six in 10), but one-third need to narrow down their choice from a few options. Read More
Experiences becoming “strategic and financial center” of Tripadvisor Group
News / Online
Experiences becoming “strategic and financial center” of Tripadvisor Group
By Morgan Hines | February 20, 2025
All three segments of Tripadvisor Group, including Brand Tripadvisor, Viator and TheFork, contributed positively to group profit for the first time. Read More
Airbnb to spend up to $250M on new businesses in 2025
News / Online
Airbnb to spend up to $250M on new businesses in 2025
By Morgan Hines | February 13, 2025
Co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky and his team stopped short of sharing what those new businesses will be specifically. Read More
Exoticca receives €25M to expand presence, build out AI technology
News / Technology
Exoticca receives €25M to expand presence, build out AI technology
By Morgan Hines | February 11, 2025
The €25 million comes in the form of a venture debt facility from BBVA Spark, following the company’s recently completed €60 million Series D round which was headed up by Quadrille Capital. Read More
OpenAI’s “Operator” and its impact on travel search and marketing
News / Technology
OpenAI’s “Operator” and its impact on travel search and marketing
By Morgan Hines | February 3, 2025
OpenAI's new Operator agent shows how an autonomous agent could work — and raises questions about travel marketing's future. Read More
Smartify adds £1.5M to boost visitor engagement at museums and galleries
News / Technology
Smartify adds £1.5M to boost visitor engagement at museums and galleries
By Linda Fox | January 30, 2025
The company offers museums, galleries and other attractions apps that are tailored and branded to their venue and helps to drive engagement through augmented and virtual reality and artificial... Read More
OpenAI debuts "Operator" agent that can book travel
News / Technology
OpenAI debuts "Operator" agent that can book travel
By Mitra Sorrells | January 24, 2025
While still very early days, the development of agents is moving fast and raises questions about the evolution of marketing strategies and search optimization, such as whether site design should change. Read More