Following its initial launch as a virtual shopping assistant, Mezi has found success as a chatbot-led virtual travel assistant since its 2016 pivot. Since then, it says 100,000 users have downloaded the app to book flights and make hotel and restaurant reservations. But the startup doesn’t actually market its…

This is a viewpoint from Robert Meza, global head of travel partnerships at the ENTERTAINER. On my last trip to London for WTM (our company was exhibiting for the first time), I found myself at a newly built, well known and well-rated hotel that certainly missed the mark when…

Didi Chuxing has bought Brazil’s biggest ride-hailing business 99 for a reported $1 billion. The deal comes almost a year to the day since Didi took a stake in 99 and started a strategic co-operation. A few days ago, Didi raised $4 billion in equity funding and identified international…

The past 12 months have been kind to Lyft. As Uber struggled with its own challenges throughout the year, its ride-hailing competitor saw its fortunes rise, its value estimated at $7.5 billion according to Vanity Fair, which also reported Lyft’s plans to develop its own self-driving technology and partnerships…

Biometric facial recognition, now in use at nine US international airports, has been met with cooperation from airlines and barely a whisper of protest from US travelers. Not having to fish around one’s bags to produce a passport is a compelling idea for some travelers. But a new report…

Sponsored by Amadeus. It’s a well-known fact that today’s travelers are tech savvy, cost conscious, and come with high expectations compared to previous generations. In a rapidly changing industry that is increasingly focused on personalization, hoteliers are looking to stand out. Where there was once a very clear distinction…

Airports around the world were actively engaged in trials of advanced technologies in 2017, and we expect that many of those projects will expand in 2018. The main airport technology priority will be making the terminal experience less jarring and more pleasurable for passengers. Not only will this help…

A recent exposé by Vice on TripAdvisor’s ratings system vulnerabilities to fake reviews and fraud, raises fresh questions on the value for travel brands of relying on online ratings and social media promotions. It also shines a light on a uniquely human characteristic that makes these systems work so…