AI disruption threat overstated for OTAs? / Looking past AI hype in travel / Fora raises $60M

Today's news on travel tech and distribution. 

View online July 17, 2026

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AI risk to OTAs is margin squeeze, not disintermediation The risk of OTAs being disintermediated by AI is perhaps exaggerated as pressure on margin perhaps the more likely outcome, according to investment bank BTIG.

Read More By Linda Fox

Latest News Travel startup investors look beyond AI hype In the challenging funding environment, travel startups are demonstrating differentiation and value to attract investors. Read More Fora lands $60M to scale AI assistant for travel advisors Fora is looking to scale is AI assistant, Via, which is currently in beta with a number of its top advisors. Read More PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: Expedia Group, Apaleo, Klook and more... Keep up with all the latest people, partner and product news from around the global travel industry. Read More Omio to acquire Rail Europe Omio's acquisition of Rail Europe consolidates two rivals in European rail distribution. A separate $10 million raise is earmarked for Omio's expansion in Asia. Read More Why B2B travel payments need more than virtual cards Brad La Nasa, chief business officer at Zyzza, speaks with Phocuswright’s Mitra Sorrells about B2B travel payments, virtual cards, carrier acceptance, agency liquidity and settlement friction. Read More

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Trending Stories Perk launches MCP connector as part of push to eliminate ‘shadow work’ Perk chief product officer Nikita Miller outlined the company's approach to AI and automation at Phocuswright Europe.  Read More Expedia Trails Fund links sustainability with commerce According to Aditi Mohapatra, VP of global social impact and sustainability at Expedia Group, data drove the decision to establish the fund.  Read More The U.S. government's split signals on fee disclosure for travel sellers While the FTC and Hopper reach a settlement on hidden fees, the DOT is loosening fee disclosure rules for airlines.  Read More

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Recent Phocuswright Research U.S. Hotel and Lodging 2026: Slow growth, a stable split and AI waiting at the door OTAs lead, AI rises and travelers research less: New findings from three key European markets Germany sets a travel spending record—sustaining it won’t be simple US car rental growth remains muted amid new pressures Japan inbound boom becomes policy priority U.K. travel distribution has reached equilibrium. Will it stay that way? Wellness tourism hits $894B, with more growth ahead Spain’s surge signals a structural shift in global travel demand

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