Dan Peltier

Things haven't looked great on paper for travel startup funding this year. Many investors have told us they feel there's a lack of originality in travel and that, combined with the global economy, likely explains what's going on.

These are the newest travel startups from AngelList vying for travelers’ interest and investors’ attention.

These are the newest travel startups from AngelList vying for travelers’ interest and investors’ attention.

Google is an even mightier king in 2016 when it comes to what leads travelers' to brand websites and, ultimately, what gets them to make a purchase. But direct website visits shouldn't be overlooked: These were the next largest source of site visits and revenue.

We're heading into one of the busiest and most stressful times of the year for travel but it doesn't have to be that way. These startups can't guarantee you speedy check-in and security lines but they can help assure you that you're getting your miles' worth and making the best booking.

They're back. The Brazilian economy and Hotel Urbano have both suffered a very rough stretch. Co-founders Joao Ricardo Mendes and Jose Eduardo Mendes have reasserted themselves in leading the company, but haven't publicly articulated in detail how they will navigate their way out of the online travel agency's current predicament. It will definitely be tough going.

These are the newest travel startups from AngelList vying for travelers’ interest and investors’ attention.

For some states coming in under budget is good news and for others the smaller spending signifies problems that marketing organizations are having. For now, most provisional tourism budgets increased for fiscal year 2016 and we'll soon see what impact that's had on travelers.

Travelers want to consume content on the same devices that they use for every other aspect of their lives and that includes virtual reality videos. InstaVR's focus on apps helps travel brands reach their audiences that may not own virtual reality headsets yet and enjoy watching videos on their phones.

New York City tourism trends are a mirror to what's happening in most other major cities. Foursquare data show that tourists and locals still stick to predictable paths, with tourists gravitating to top attractions around Midtown and Lower Manhattan. Every city is different and tourism has increased to outer boroughs but those probably still aren't top of mind for many travelers.