The weekend wrap-up: Why travel brands are turning to WhatsApp / Booking shares OpenAI test program update / Travel tech founder Bobby Healy on fixing distribution

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November 02, 2025
 
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The travel industry has long sought advantages by integrating with different technology and social platforms. WhatsApp is one of the key players in this space.

This week, we spoke with HolidayPirates, MakeMyTrip and Replyr to learn how they use the SMS alternative and the challenges they face.

Earnings season is also officially in full swing: Booking Holdings shared positive results on its Q3 call this week. The brand reported 8% year-over-year growth in room nights, 14% year-over-year growth in gross bookings and a 9% increase in net income. The company also shared insights about its test program with OpenAI.

In another interesting read this week, serial travel tech entrepreneur Bobby Healy discussed challenges and opportunities in distribution. The Meili co-founder revealed what kind of travel business he would create now if he had "another life." Spoiler alert: He would key in on aggregation and providing value to customers and suppliers "without a web browser."

As we count down to the unveiling of PhocusWire's Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2026, we are continuing to check in with Hot 25 alumni. This week, PhocusWire touched base with the Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2024, including Katanox, Turneo and Jerne.

To round out PhocusWire's Middle East Month, we published an opinion piece from Shadi Kaddoura, a senior market analyst covering the Middle East for Phocuswright. Kaddoura outlined why he believes the travel transformation "offers both a blueprint and a warning," also taking a closer look at tech innovation in the region.

With that, we're on to November. Have a great weekend, and we'll see you Monday.

-Morgan Hines, senior reporter
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