Addressing current challenges and looming change in ground transportation with SilverRail and Mozio

Connecting the dots of the traveler journey is priority in the ground transportation sector, but tangible examples of connected trip in action are still somewhat “rare.” Travelers can book a full trip in Sweden, including a train, taxi and a bus, which is working well, but there aren’t many models…

Evolution in trip planning and personalization with Nezasa and Mobi.ai

The “connected trip” has become a bit of a tired buzzword, but the ability to bundle different trip elements is not less coveted in the travel space. During an interview in the PhocusWire studio at The Phocuswright Conference last month, Manuel Hilty, CEO and co-founder of Nezasa, and Andrew Boch,…

How Expedia Group believes AI can improve digital travel marketing

While artificial intelligence (AI) is impacting travel marketing, the best use cases are still being determined. AI-supported digital travel marketing can work—as long as it still has a human touch, according to Rob Torres, SVP of media solutions and retail partnerships for Expedia Group. In Octo…

Priceline CEO Brett Keller reflects on 26 years at the OTA and industry evolution

After 26 years with the company and 10 as CEO, Priceline recently announced that Brett Keller would hand over the reins to Brigit Zimmerman in January. In an interview in the PhocusWire studio, Keller reflected on his time at the OTA, where he has held several roles including CMO and COO. His bes…

Vacation rentals in a spin: Outlining trends, changes and the future of short-term rentals

Within the vacation rental industry, opportunity abounds as operators lean into consolidation and professionalization. During an interview in the PhocusWire studio at The Phocuswright Conference last week, Sharad Sunderesan, founder and CEO of Homescreen, and Eric Goldreyer, CEO of Savvy, shared t…

Digital wallets, crypto and payment developments in travel

Cryptocurrency is carving out a role in travel—from B2C bookings to B2B settlements—through stablecoin-powered payments and crypto-savvy consumers making high-value transactions. Although cryptocurrency still represents a small portion of global travel spending, industry leaders believe change is c…

CEO Spotlight: Muzzammil Ahussain of Almosafer

Saudi Arabia-based OTA Almosafer, which means “traveler” in Arabic, is making headway in the Middle East. Now head of the company, Muzzammil Ahussain has risen the ranks from COO to EVP to CEO—a role he’s held since January 2023. In an interview with PhocusWire, Ahussain said Almosafer sets itself…

Thayer Investment Partners' Chris Hemmeter on SPAC comeback and space for a new travel brand

You could be forgiven for thinking that travel companies might shy away from taking companies public via special purpose acquisition company (SPAC). Many will have seen industry peers have a rough ride back in 2022 and question what has changed. For Chris Hemmeter, managing director of Thayer Inve…

Are travel companies hesitant to sell ancillaries?

While ancillaries are often discussed as a way to boost profit, not every travel company has introduced these revenue streams. But what's holding them back? Mark McLaughlin, CEO of Coras, and Inigo Valenzuela, CEO of Smartvel, opened up about the hesitancy they encounter in the pitching process to…

Short-term rental experts from Safely and Interhome weigh in on the ancillaries opportunity

As the short-term rental (STR) industry continues to evolve, it’s become clear that vacation rentals can be more than just a place to rest one’s head—and Airbnb has tapped into this opportunity with its recent launch of Services. But what benefit do ancillaries really pose to STR providers? Indust…