Startups

Travel AI startup, Globaleur, raises 2.5m USD to connect end-to-end experience

Kristin Mariano Nov 1, 2022

South Korean travel tech startup, Globaleur, has raised US$ 2.5 million in their pre-series A round and recently completed setting up an office in Singapore as part of their expansion…

Startups

Startups laid off nearly 77,000 employees in 2022

Kristin Mariano Sep 14, 2022

A wave of layoffs has swept across the globe as companies struggle with slower business growth and rising labour costs. Thousands of companies have been forced to reduce costs and cut…

Travel tech startup Vacaay appoints Catherine Stevens as APAC Regional Director.

Kristin Mariano Mar 1, 2022

Catherine Stevens is a travel media veteran and is delighted to be re-entering the industry after her pre-COVID hiatus.

Conference programme revealed! Blue chips and startups to share Travel Forward stage at WTM London

Megha Paul Oct 25, 2021

Travel Forward, the global event for travel technology co-located with WTM London, has revealed the line-up for this year’s conference programme which features one of the travel industry’s…

Global

Tough people last. Tough times don’t! Travel startups that survived and thrived amid the pandemic year of 2020

Megha Paul Dec 31, 2020

Bravely defying the misery of the Covid-19 calamity, some startups have managed to not just survive but literally thrive and ride the waves of 2020. We bring you a list of these startups and…

Holding strong: How these two European travel startups not only survived the COVID-19 crisis but raised funding

Megha Paul Aug 25, 2020

Despite of being hit hard and being brought to a complete standstill by the ongoing pandemic, there are start-ups that are holding strong and raising fresh round of investments, too

Global

UNWTO aims to boost tourism’s contribution to sustainable development, unveils new startup contest

Megha Paul Jul 15, 2020

The UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has announced the launch of a new Startup Competition as it looks to identify innovators with the power to further tourism’s contribution to…

This Israel-based startup is tracking process of reopening hotels post the pandemic

Megha Paul Jun 30, 2020

As the travel industry gradually recovers from the impact imposed on it by the global COVID-19 pandemic, UpStay, a startup that develops a B2B solution for hotels, has created a tool…

Singapore

How one travel tech startup will help prepare businesses for the “new normal”

Alastair Newport Jun 2, 2020

Singapore-based travel tech start-up, iko.travel, is providing a solution to the industry during some of its darkest days in generations by offering its technology and booking platform at no…

Travel Tech

Eugene Kaspersky launches accelerator to help tourism startups

Megha Paul May 12, 2020

COVID-19 has hit tourism hard with fledgling projects losing support from large companies or being cancelled indefinitely. In order to address this issue, Eugene Kaspersky, founder and…

Travel Tech

Israeli travel tech startup Hotelmize raises Series B from Alibaba, opens APAC headquarters in Hong Kong

Megha Paul Apr 3, 2020

Hotelmize, developer of AI-based price prediction and profit-optimisation technologies for the hotel booking industry, is raising its B round investment largely in the Asia Pacific to…

Japanese hospitality startup H2O raises USD 7 million to expand real estate business

Kristin Mariano Feb 5, 2020

H2O, which stands for Hospitality 2.0, has raised USD7 million in Series B funding from Samsung Ventures, Stonebridge Ventures, IMM Investment and Shinhan Capital, bringing its total raised…

Eco Inn place “full faith and trust” in new startup hotel management firm

Alastair Newport Nov 14, 2019

New kid on the block Pragma Hospitality has announced it will be taking management of six new properties this week. Following the signing of a management contract with the Eco Inn…

2019 Mekong Innovative Startups in Tourism Finalists Announced

Nattakorn Asunee Na Ayudhaya Oct 3, 2019

BANGKOK, 2 October 2019 – The Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office, Tuesday, announced that 10 innovative startups from across the Mekong Region will compete in the Mekong Innovative Startups…

Travel Agents

Avian: How a startup is making life better for travel agents all around the world

Alastair Newport Sep 30, 2019

Challenged with the self-appointed task of revolutionising the way commission and incentives are managed by airlines and travel agents (TAs); Avian is a startup on a mission to drag the…

Startups

Get personal: The new mantra of Indian travel startups

MILI SEMLANI Semlani Jan 2, 2019

Abhas Desai, co-founder of Taxidio Travel India— a DIY travel planner shares his thoughts on travel startups in India and what's in store for them in 2019.

OTAs & Tour Operators

Tour guide app wins at UAE’s Startup Weekend

MILI SEMLANI Semlani Oct 5, 2018

Smart Guide, an app that acts as a personal tour guide won among other startups at the Startup Weekend hosted by Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) from 27 to 29 September 2018.

Hospitality

Time for a Bath: Hospitality startup hits Somerset

Alastair Newport Oct 4, 2018

Tourists are drawn to the striking grandeur of the town’s architecture, the iconic public baths, built by the aforementioned Romans, as well as its fascinating history and the beauty of the…

Entrepreneurs

Turkey has highest number of new startups registered in Europe

Tian Tolentino Jul 12, 2018

Through data gathered by Statista, the card processing company, Paymentsense, has revealed the countries seeing significant growth in start-ups between 2013 and 2017.

Travel Tech

This startup wants to be the ‘eBay for travel’ – in a USD 40 billion marketplace

Kristin Mariano Jul 6, 2018

Simon Powell, CEO and founder of TransferTravel, has created a marketplace dedicated to travellers who want to sell their unwanted but non-refundable flights, accommodation and cruises.

Travel Tech

7 head-turning travel tech startups at Techsauce Global Summit 2018

Kristin Mariano Jun 26, 2018

Southeast Asia is a treasure trove of some of the most innovative travel tech start-ups today.

Hospitality

Direct bookings startup Triptease’s funding reaches USD 13 million

Alastair Newport Jun 26, 2018

Following our story in April where Triptease content manager Lily McIlwain, told us about the direct booking start up's report into the future of A/B testing, the company has now announced…

Travel Tech

Techsauce Global Summit proves fertile ground for startups

Kristin Mariano Jun 26, 2018

Start-ups are the lifeblood of this year’s Techsauce Global Summit with hundreds of up and coming tech companies in the exhibitors’ area, not including the current or to-be business owners…

Entrepreneurs

Vietnamese traveltech startup Triip raises new funding round, readies itself for ICO

Simon Willmore Apr 23, 2018

Ho Chi Minh City-based travel tech startup Triip has announced that it has raised an undisclosed funding round from Japanese strategic investor Gaiax and Vietnamese angel investor Nguyen…

Startups

Startup brings the heat to Vietnam’s hospitality, tech industries

Simon Willmore Mar 2, 2018

BedLinker is a Vietnamese joint stock company providing technology solutions that allow hotels, travel agents and tour operators to work together. The start-up founded by Thuan Dao, whose…

Startups

Startup that lets multiple travel groups meet halfway hailed in 2018 Business Travel Show

Simon Willmore Feb 26, 2018

Group trip organisers and business travellers in multinational organisations can now breathe easier thanks to a new platform where they can plan multi-origin group travel for face-to-face…

Entrepreneurs

Filipino startup bares tech updates, celebrates gains

Simon Willmore Feb 12, 2018

Tripkada, the Philippine curated trip-joining start-up platform, launched its joiner app for iOS, gave stakeholder updates and revealed its expansion plans.

Hotels

Startup adds more spice to Indian travel, tech sectors

Simon Willmore Feb 5, 2018

Opaque hotel booking platform Travelspice was recently named 2018 Travel Tech Startup of the Year by the ELEVATE100 entrepreneurship programme.

Travel Tech

Future of Travel summit fires up travel tech startup race

Simon Willmore Feb 5, 2018

Miami brings the heat into the US travel tech scene as LAB Miami Ventures announces its shortlist of startups for its first annual Future of Travel summit.

Travel Tech

Future Travel Experience unveil FTE Startup Hub with corporate partner JetBlue Technology

Alastair Newport Jan 12, 2018

The FTE Startup Hub has been developed to make it as easy as possible for corporate innovators and startups in the air transport and travel sector to connect both digitally and physically,…

Tourism

Travel tech startup receives funding for overseas expansion

Jill Sayles Jan 10, 2018

The Plum Guide, a London-based travel tech startup that lets customers book top-rated homes from more than 25 booking platforms, has raised £5.7m in Series A funding, as part of a round led…

ENTREPRENEURS: Howard Love – The Startup J-Curve

Chicke Fitzgerald Nov 15, 2016 1

The Start-Up J Curve: The Six Steps to Entrepreneurial Success Entrepreneurs who have read early drafts of The Start-Up J Curve responded, ”I wish I had this book years ago.”  At the Game…

Global

Rapid growth of vacation rentals bookings in Asia is confirmed

Kanchan Nath Sep 28, 2023

Trip101 experienced an 84% jump in vacation rentals bookings in Asia from 2022 to 2023. Longer stays by travelers in Asia are also confirmed. Average length of stay has grown by 20% since…

Global

ITB China 2023 boasts over 17,000 Business Engagements

Kanchan Nath Sep 18, 2023

The fourth ITB China marked its grand live- return, concluding its 2023 edition with impressive achievements in business meetings and Chinese and international dialogues.

Appointments

Joyned appoints Sergio Vargas Johansson as Managing Director of Travel  

Kanchan Nath Sep 15, 2023

Award-winning Jerusalem-based startup Joyned has announced the appointment of Sergio Vargas Johansson as its Managing Director of Travel. 

MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing, Exhibitions)

Phocuswright Conference releases full 2023 program

Kanchan Nath Sep 14, 2023

Phocuswright, the leading travel industry research and events authority, has released its full 2023 program for The Phocuswright Conference, which will be held November 13-16 in Ft.…

MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing, Exhibitions)

ITB China 2023 kicks off today, reuniting China’s tourism market with the global world of travel

Kanchan Nath Sep 12, 2023

The stage is set for ITB China to be once again an exceptional gathering of global industry leaders, top travel destinations and industry expertise.

MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing, Exhibitions)

ATM 2024 to explore how entrepreneurship is empowering innovation in ME’s travel industry

Kanchan Nath Sep 12, 2023

Arabian Travel Market (ATM), the Middle East’s leading event for inbound and outbound travel and tourism professionals, has unveiled its next theme: ‘Empowering Innovation: Transforming…

Features

Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council and Flat6Labs launch boot camp to upskill female entrepreneurs

Kanchan Nath Aug 31, 2023

The Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council (ADBWC), a subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi Chamber, has partnered with Flat6Labs to launch a boot camp program to empower members of the Council and enhance…

PR Newswire

SequenceShift Achieves AWS Travel and Hospitality Competency

traveldailymedia FTRSS Aug 28, 2023 0

SYDNEY, Aug. 28, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SequenceShift proudly announced that it has achieved the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Travel and Hospitality Competency. This designation recognizes…

Global

Travellers willing to pay more for eco-tourism

Kristin Mariano Aug 24, 2023

Nearly 80% of travellers will pay at least 10 per cent more for sustainable travel features despite the cost of living crisis, a Euromonitor International report has revealed.   41% of…

Reports

Travellers will pay 10% extra for sustainable travel despite cost-of-living crisis: Euromonitor report 

Kanchan Nath Aug 16, 2023

Nearly 80% of travellers will pay at least 10 per cent more for sustainable travel features despite the cost of living crisis, a Euromonitor International report has revealed.  

PR Newswire

Art Busan successfully raises first investment round – securing foundation for expanding domestic art market base and the fair’s global…

traveldailymedia FTRSS Aug 14, 2023 0

Organizer of the leading art fair in Korea "Art Busan," launching a new Seoul fair in November 2023.BUSAN, South Korea, Aug. 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On the 9th of August, Art Busan Inc.,…

MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing, Exhibitions)

Virtuoso Travel Tech Summit to be held on 12 August

Kanchan Nath Aug 4, 2023

Virtuoso, the global network specialising in luxury and experiential travel, is hosting its second annual Travel Tech Summit during the 35th annual Virtuoso Travel Week on Saturday, 12th …

PR Newswire

utu Closes US$33 Million Deal, Acquires SC Ventures-Incubated CardsPal to Re-engineer Tax-Free Shopping Globally

traveldailymedia FTRSS Jun 29, 2023 0

SINGAPORE, June 29, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Singapore-based travel-tech company utu today announced its acquisition of CardsPal — a Singapore-based platform — along with closing a deal of…

Travel Tech

Zealous partners with Creative Zone

Kanchan Nath Jun 21, 2023

Zealous, the UAE's first tech networking app, is thrilled to announce its strategic partnership with Creative Zone, a leading provider of business setup services

Global

Velocity Ventures rallies travel and hospitality industry to recalibrate and strengthen

Kanchan Nath Jun 14, 2023

Velocity Ventures, Southeast Asia’s leading travel and hospitality tech investor has announced a subscription-based  Corporate Partners Program (CPP) so that corporates in the travel and…

Airlines and Aviation

Hahn Air drives change with innovation

Kanchan Nath Jun 12, 2023

Airline distribution provider, Hahn Air, is creating an innovation node for companies looking to advance their innovative projects.

MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing, Exhibitions)

Shaping the Future of HoReCa: THAIFEX – HOREC Asia soft launch unveils Next-generation trends in Bangkok, Thailand

Kanchan Nath May 31, 2023

The highly anticipated soft launch of THAIFEX - HORECA Asia took place at THAIFEX - Anuga Asia, offering an exciting preview of what the official launch in March 2024 has in store. 

Global

MyAgeing, HUR and IMM Carehub launch physical functional lab to promote health ageing in Malaysia 

Kanchan Nath May 31, 2023

The Malaysian Research Institute on Ageing (MyAgeing) has officially launched its Physical Functional Lab equipped with an advanced rehab and exercise equipment from Finland – HUR. 

PR Newswire

Las Vegas Sands and Sands China Host Grand Celebration at The Londoner Macao, Marking New Era for Cotai Strip

traveldailymedia FTRSS May 26, 2023 0

After opening in phases since 2021, The Londoner Macao is now complete, fulfilling Las Vegas Sands founder Sheldon G. Adelson's vision for the Cotai Strip and deepening the company's…

Global

battleface travel insurance partner platform lands in Australia

Kanchan Nath May 18, 2023

Travel Insurance provider, battleface, which offers embedded modular insurance for partners and their customers alike, has today announced the launch of its tech platform where partners can…

Hospitality

YOTEL announces debut in Thailand with YOTEL Bangkok

Kristin Mariano May 17, 2023

YOTEL – the non-stop, global hospitality brand known for challenging the status quo – has announced its debut in Thailand with the signing of YOTEL Bangkok.  The new-build hotel, opening…

Eturbo News

The Future Top Destination for Wellness Tourism is Saudi Arabia

Juergen T Steinmetz May 14, 2023 0

eTurboNews: The Future in the Hospitality Industry will enhance on Wellness, and Saudi Arabia lead according to HE Gloria Guevara, Chief Advisor Saudi Tourism Minister. Read more: The…

MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing, Exhibitions)

“Travel is at a crossroads: It can either become more sustainable via innovation – or be forced to take action via crises and regulation”

Kanchan Nath May 11, 2023

 Ahead of Phocuswright Europe in Barcelona, Phocuswright urges travel companies to take action on climate change via innovation. 

Travel Tech

Generative AI and sustainability are driving investment in the tourism technology segment

Kanchan Nath May 5, 2023

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) and environmental, social and governance (ESG) activities are attracting the highest levels of investment in travel technology at present, according…

Air

REX Invests In Electric Propulsion Company

Joe Cusmano Apr 19, 2023

REX, the largest regional airline in Australia, has confirmed a substantial investment in an aviation startup, opening the door for electric planes to be used by passengers flying…

Travel Tech

Italy Travel Tech Accelerator

Kanchan Nath Apr 3, 2023

Over 100 Startup candidates for the “Italy Travel Tech Accelerator” call, roadshows in 5 major Italian cities and a strong enthusiasm for the measure proposed by the Ministry of Tourism in…

Airlines and Aviation

Thailand’s new ‘Really Cool Airline’ to fly to Australia

Joe Cusmano Mar 29, 2023

Really Cool Airlines’ slogan is “We Fly the Future,” and the company aspires to provide a lifestyle product by prioritising customer satisfaction, innovation, safety, and the environment.

MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing, Exhibitions)

Phocuswright Europe 2023 moves to Barcelona, Spain from 12-14 June

Kanchan Nath Mar 22, 2023

Phocuswright, the travel industry research authority, released the growing Speaker roster for Phocuswright Europe 2023, taking place at the Barceló Sants Hotel in Barcelona, Spain this 12-14…

Eturbo News

New Taipei to Los Angeles Flight on STARLUX Airlines

Harry Johnson Mar 17, 2023 0

by: Harry Johnson | STARLUX Airlines also announced its new designation as the “Official International Airline Partner of the LA Clippers” Full article: New Taipei to Los Angeles Flight on…

MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing, Exhibitions)

Karnataka Tourism marks its presence at ITB Berlin 2023

Kanchan Nath Mar 15, 2023

Karnataka Tourism aimed to promote its inbound tourism, particularly its heritage, culture, wildlife, beaches, and adventure activities at ITB Berlin, which was held on March 7 to 9, 2023 in…

TDIWTA

Calling for nominees: TD IWTA to honour inspiring women in a prestigious award ceremony

Kristin Mariano Mar 9, 2023

We know women in the travel industry whom we admire and feel inspired by. Perhaps it is someone who has succeeded against all odds, someone whose courage defied biases or whose…

OTAs & Tour Operators

Tour operator brand ‘Eurowings Holidays’ to expand

Kanchan Nath Mar 8, 2023

Vacation packages from a single source: customers can use the Eurowings tour operator brand to book the all-inclusive vacation that is right for them, including an affordable flight and a…

Mergers & Acquisitions

Travelsoft acquires Spain’s Travel Compositor 

Kanchan Nath Mar 6, 2023

Travel Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) group Travelsoft has announced the acquisition of B2B booking engine provider to travel companies, Travel Compositor, as part of the group’s strategy to…

Travel Agents

TUI launches ‘TUI tours platform’

Kanchan Nath Mar 3, 2023

TUI is targeting product led growth in existing and untapped customer segments with the launch of TUI tours.

Travel Tech

Is AI the next gold rush? Global investment skyrockets 633.33%

Kristin Mariano Mar 2, 2023

If you compare the change from 2020 to 2021 with the previous 3 years, where AI investment remained almost consistent, the 2020 pandemic accelerated this growth.  Although there was a…

MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing, Exhibitions)

Mekong Tourism Forum 2023 from 25-27 April in Cambodia

Kanchan Nath Mar 1, 2023

The 2023 Mekong Tourism Forum (MTF 2023), hosted by the Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia and co-organised by the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office, will take place 25-27 April in…

MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing, Exhibitions)

Karnataka Tourism to participate in ITB Berlin 2023

Kanchan Nath Feb 27, 2023

Karnataka Tourism aims to promote its inbound tourism, particularly its wildlife, heritage, culture, beaches, and adventure activities at ITB Berlin, the trade show to be held on 7 to 9,  …

Visa updates

Go for your ‘Digital Nomad Visa’ in Spain

Kanchan Nath Feb 14, 2023

The Spanish government announced that it officially approved a new digital nomad visa dedicated to remote workers. 

MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing, Exhibitions)

G Kishan Reddy inaugurates 30th edition of SATTE 2023

Kanchan Nath Feb 13, 2023

Grand 30th Edition of the Travel Trade Event, SATTE 2023, saw the presence of all Indian States, over 50 Countries and 600+ Hosted Buyers.

MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing, Exhibitions)

JAGGAER to join world leaders in technology at LEAP, Saudi Arabia

Kanchan Nath Feb 9, 2023

JAGGAER has confirmed its participation at LEAP, Saudi Arabia’s global technology event, where the company will showcase its industry-leading spend management platform and its investment in…

Appointment announcement

The Ritz-Carlton, Fukuoka welcomes Radu Cernia as general manager

Kristin Mariano Feb 8, 2023

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., has recently  announced the appointment of Radu Cernia as General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Fukuoka. Cernia brings a wealth of international…

Associations

UNWTO announces winning start-ups for ‘Awake Tourism Challenge’

Kanchan Nath Feb 3, 2023

UNWTO has announced the winners of its 'Awake Tourism Challenge', celebrating the start-ups that are reshaping the sector in every global region.

Finance

Industry reflections to the Indian Union Budget 2023-2024

Kanchan Nath Feb 2, 2023

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that there is a huge potential in the tourism sector which holds huge opportunities for jobs and entrepreneurship for the youth.

Consumer

Greether selected by Expedia for accelerator

Kanchan Nath Feb 1, 2023

Greether, the innovative travel safety startup for female travellers, has announced that they have been accepted into Expedia Group’s first accelerator program.

Cruise

Global boat rental platform SamBoat announces rebrand

Kristin Mariano Jan 25, 2023

 SamBoat, global platform for boat and yacht rental, has announced a transformation of its branding, amid record growth and a series of significant industry mergers in recent months.  …

Spas & Treatments

Spa services market is expected to grow to USD140.28 bn by 2032

Kanchan Nath Jan 24, 2023

The spa services market  is estimated at USD 105.18 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 140.28 billion by 2032, at a CAGR of 10% during the forecast period. 

By the Way

Cognizant to advance Garuda Aerospace drones with digital technologies

Kanchan Nath Dec 26, 2022

Cognizant has announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Garuda Aerospace, one of India's drone startups, to power its drones with advanced digital capabilities…

Corporate & Business

Top 20 countries for expanding a business overseas

Kristin Mariano Dec 15, 2022

Recent data shows that nearly half of company CFOs are currently in the process of expanding their business to overseas markets, or planning to do so soon. As well as capturing a greater…

Visa updates

Spain to launch digital nomad visa in January 2023

Kanchan Nath Dec 7, 2022

Spain is planning to launch its Digital Nomad visa for international remote workers in January 2023 as part of the new Startup Act, which is also expected to pass in January next year

MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing, Exhibitions)

Artificial Intelligence, data analytics and augmented reality for transforming tourism

Kanchan Nath Nov 28, 2022

Tourism Innovation Summit 2022 has once again hosted the Touristech Startup Fest entrepreneurship competition

MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing, Exhibitions)

B2b platform ‘MyBiz’ records 3X growth over pre-covid period

Kanchan Nath Nov 25, 2022

MakeMyTrip’s B2B platform, MyBiz, fueled by its differentiated product offering and a unique go-to market strategy is growing much faster than the corporate travel industry.

Spain

Spain introduces new visa for foreign start-ups & digital nomads

Kanchan Nath Nov 9, 2022

The Spanish Parliament has approved the new law for start-ups and digital nomads, which regulates who is eligible for this visa and anticipates reducing the Corporation Tax for these…

Airlines and Aviation

Pakistan’s Fly Jinnah to start operations by 1 Nov

Kanchan Nath Oct 25, 2022

Just days after receiving its air operator's certificate and operating license, Fly Jinnah has confirmed its initial domestic network and rolled out its launch plans.

Hotels

Mews to sponsor GrINN Awards 2022

Kanchan Nath Oct 19, 2022

Cloud-based property management software Mews has reached an agreement with Quartz Inn Hotels to become the main sponsor of the European Sustainable Tourism Awards, GrINN Awards 2022.

Airlines and Aviation

Bonza’s Launch Delayed Again

Joe Cusmano Sep 13, 2022

Another setback has emerged in the launch of Australia’s new ultra-low-cost airline Bonza. There is still some ambiguity about when Bonza will take off because the budget airline is…

Travel Tech

Virtuoso launches its first-ever Travel Tech Summit

Kristin Mariano Aug 11, 2022

Virtuoso is hosting its first-ever Travel Tech Summit, taking place on 14 August at ARIA Resort & Casino during its Virtuoso Travel Week event. The summit will consist of three…

Hospitality

Hotelbeds launches new Environmental, Social and Governance Strategy

Kristin Mariano Jul 26, 2022

Hotelbeds has today announced its new Environmental, Social and Governance strategy, which aims, as Hotelbeds’ CEO Nicolas Huss describes, "to take Hotelbeds' position on ESG to the next…

Hospitality

OYO adds over 1250 new corporates since March 2022

Megha Paul Jun 6, 2022

The recovery is led by small and medium enterprises, traditional business houses & conglomerates, startups, travel management companies

Tourism

Driven by longer trips and workations, Trip101 shows strong growth in 2021

Megha Paul May 30, 2022

Global travel media startup Trip101 reports that its 2021 performance shows 87% YoY growth in Gross Merchandise Value (GMV)

MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing, Exhibitions)

Major market players paved way to recovery in travel industry at ITB India

Megha Paul Apr 7, 2022

The concurrent three-day ITB India Conference featured close to 100 online sessions with over 80 industry experts

Travel Tech

Bracing for rebound! Here’s how Amadeus preps for next COVID surge

Kristin Mariano Mar 9, 2022

To prepare for a possible coming COVID surge, Amadeus has partnered with testFRWD, the Austrian startup providing AI-powered solutions for self-certifying COVID-19 tests.

Investment Capital Raises opportunities – Emerging Markets OTA and Digital Asset Management for the Global Business Aviation Industry

Chris Head Feb 14, 2022

We have 2 new Investment Capital Raises for investors. Emerging Markets OTA and Digital Asset Management for the Global Business Aviation Industry. We introduce TSI Deal Listings building…

Spain to launch digital nomad visa soon

Megha Paul Feb 3, 2022

Spain will unfold plans for the digital nomad visa during the following months in an effort to attract internationals who can temporarily live in Spain while working for companies or clients…

UNWTO chooses to headquarter its America’s office in Brazil

Megha Paul Jan 12, 2022

UNWTO has elected to locate the headquarters of its Americas office in Brazil and the decision was made at the UNWTO’s 24th General Assembly held last month

Hospitality

Microsoft invests $5 million in Oyo

Megha Paul Aug 23, 2021

Microsoft has invested $5 million in SoftBank-backed Oyo, according to a regulatory filing, ahead of the Indian hotel chain's plan to go public

Hospitality

Oyo shortlists investment banks for USD 1.2 billion IPO

Megha Paul Aug 10, 2021

SoftBank-backed Oyo Hotels & Rooms has shortlisted JP Morgan, Kotak Mahindra Capital and Citi for its more than USD 1.2 billion initial public offering in India

Hospitality

OYO raises USD 660 million debt from investors

Megha Paul Jul 19, 2021

OYO has raised a term loan B (TLB) funding of USD 660 million from global institutional investors

Hospitality

Hotelmize inks pact with Qtech to revolutionise hospitality sector with new-age software solutions

Megha Paul Jul 16, 2021

Hotelmize will now integrate its big data booking solutions directly with OTRAMS Travel ERP - Qtech Software’s flagship travel software platform

Global

Innovation and digital at centre of tourism recovery as UNWTO logs into Google

Megha Paul May 24, 2021

The UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and Google have signed a new agreement to work together and lead global tourism’s recovery through innovation, education, and market intelligence

Hospitality

SoftBank pulls out of Oyo partnership in Latin America

Megha Paul Feb 12, 2021

The Latin American unit of Indian hotel startup Oyo Corp. has ended its joint venture with the SoftBank Latin America Fund, less than six months after they struck a partnership in the region

Reopening updates

How digital transformation and AI will lead future development of aviation in post COVID-19 era

Megha Paul Feb 9, 2021

Dubai Airshow 2021 will serve as a platform to showcase the role of cutting edge technologies in bolstering the recovery of the aviation, aerospace and defence industries following the…

Tourism

Madeira launches Digital Nomad Village as part of Portugal’s most vital remote working offering

Megha Paul Feb 3, 2021

Madeira is emerging as a frontrunner choice for remote workers following the opening of a major development

Hospitality

Juniper and Hotelmize: Partnerships that bring innovation to tourism industry

Megha Paul Jan 21, 2021

One of the latest partnerships for the benefit of the tourism market is the collaboration between Juniper and Hotelmize

Guest Column

Future of business travel post COVID-19

Vishnu Vasanth Jan 19, 2021

It is critical to adopt an analytic approach to how business travel is planned during COVID-19.

Going green: Italy unveils EU-backed project to encourage sustainable tourism

Megha Paul Nov 26, 2020

EU Eco-Tandem Programme also aims to promote sustainable tourism by helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) become more innovative

Agents of change: How can APAC’s travel industry come together to solve the contactless conundrum?

Alastair Newport Oct 28, 2020

The technology already exists to render most parts of the travel experience contactless – from voice-activated screens, biometric scanners and automated gates at airports, to robot check-in…

Facilitating reopening of borders: Digital ‘health passport’ trials under way from this week

Megha Paul Oct 19, 2020

The CommonPass system, backed by the World Economic Forum (WEF), is designed to create a common international standard for passengers to demonstrate they do not have coronavirus

Travel Tech

5 contactless technologies gaining traction in travel and tourism industry

Kristin Mariano Sep 18, 2020

Against the COVID-19 backdrop, contactless technologies are proving to be a game changer for the industry.

“In times of crisis we are the first type of solution that businesses are looking for”

Alastair Newport Sep 9, 2020

The global tourism industry is estimated to lose between USD1.2 and 2.2 trillion (1.5-2.8% of global GDP) due to the coronavirus pandemic. And, Travel companies are seeking innovative ways…

Phocuswright Europe beams live straight to you in 2020

Alastair Newport Sep 2, 2020

One of the biggest events in the Travel Industry is coming directly to you- this year, in its European version. Phocuswright Europe 2020, which will be streaming live, will focus on finding…

Get ready for ‘Virtual Assistant’ and contactless check-in as Nexpera.ai creates ‘Hotel of the Future’

Megha Paul Aug 19, 2020

US-based startup DigiVerv, an AI company with its India office in Bengaluru, recently launched its new offering nexpera.ai – an AI and IoT powered enterprise SaaS platform that aims at…

Travel Tech

Digital channels permeate post-COVID life

Kristin Mariano Jul 31, 2020

In our efforts to get back to our daily routine before the lockdown, there is a significant increase in the adoption of various technologies into our everyday lives.

This is no time for complacency post COVID-19, says UNWTO chief

Megha Paul Jul 21, 2020

UNWTO head talks about how mere words will not do and concrete actions are needed for tourism recovery in post-COVID 19 times

Startups

Tech start-ups lay off thousands of employees amid COVID-19 pandemic

Kristin Mariano Jul 7, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic is a health crisis that no one anticipated and it devastated many industries, especially the travel sector.

Global

“It’s an exclusive group”: Aeronology hooks up with ATPCO

Alastair Newport Jul 3, 2020

Aussie travel tech firm Aeronology has announced its acceptance into ATPCO’s scheme for startups, emerging companies and tech innovators, the Bridge Labs Program. 

Shaping biz for new future! Techsauce Virtual Summit 2020 kicks off

Megha Paul Jun 19, 2020

Some of the biggest names in tech across Southeast Asia are set to take part in Techsauce Virtual Summit, which kicks off today. The first-ever online event of its kind was created as a…

Canada

Unlearn: The Year The Earth Stood Still, Bruce Poon Tip’s ode to lovers of travel

Megha Paul May 13, 2020

The Covid-19 pandemic has brought the global travel industry to a complete standstill and it is unlikely to ever be the same again. While reflecting on how this interruption would impact…

Partner content

Travelling after lockdown: What can we learn from China?

Kristin Mariano Apr 30, 2020

Many of us wonder what travelling would be like after the lockdown. It has been over a month since some nations imposed a shutdown that made us live like a recluse and I imagine that our…

ZUZU Hospitality strengthens position in Southeast Asia with regional expansion and new hires

Megha Paul Mar 16, 2020

ZUZU Hospitality, a Singapore-based hospitality tech startup which provides revenue management and distribution solutions to independent hotels, announced that they are moving forward…

Airbnb tweaks refund policy

Megha Paul Mar 12, 2020

Airbnb is making adjustments to its refund policy in an attempt to balance the needs of hosts and guests on its home-sharing site amid the global coronavirus outbreak that has severely…

Welcome to the future! World’s first hotel virtual reality experience centre unveiled

Megha Paul Mar 6, 2020

Crowne Plaza Greater Noida, a leading business hotel in Delhi NCR, has announced the launch of the world’s first hotel virtual reality (VR) experience centre, in association with…

Technology Transforming the Travel Industry

Valerie Lalonde Feb 24, 2020

The travel and leisure industry is undergoing a major evolution with personalisation. Travellers’ experiences can now be deeply customisable at every stage, from research and booking to…

ANA to test autonomous mobility assistance at Tokyo airport

Megha Paul Feb 23, 2020

All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan’s largest airline, will test autonomous RakuRo mobility assistance solutions at Tokyo Narita International Airport from 27-28 February. Designed by ZMP…

UNWTO and Basque Culinary Centre launch 2nd gastronomy tourism start-up competition

Megha Paul Feb 11, 2020

The UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and Basque Culinary Center have joined forces again for the second edition of the Global Gastronomy Tourism Startup Competition. After the…

Travel Tech

Grab acquires Bento Invest to grow financial services

Kristin Mariano Feb 5, 2020

Southeast Asian tech giant Grab has announced its acquisition of robo-advisory startup Bento Invest in order to expand its financial services.

Booking.com announces USD 3.4 million in grants to support sustainable accommodation in 2020

Megha Paul Jan 31, 2020

With a mission to make it easier for everyone to experience the world, Booking.com announced the opening of applications for its 2020 Booking Booster programme to support solutions in…

Tourism start-ups focus on innovation and sustainability

Megha Paul Jan 13, 2020

The UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), in association with Globalia, a tourism group in Spain and Latin America, has selected the finalists of the 2nd Global Tourism Startup…

Festival of the future to become focus of Southeast Asia’s sauciest tech conference

Megha Paul Jan 10, 2020

The theme for South East Asia’s largest tech conference, Techsauce Global Summit has just been announced. Techsauce Global Summit’s ‘Festival of the Future’ will take place at Centara…

Travel Tech

Travel tech this week: Flying taxis by 2023 and more

Kristin Mariano Jan 9, 2020

For this week’s travel tech stories, Uber and Hyundai showed a glimpse of the future of transportation with flying taxis. Companies strive for expansion with start-up The Guild raising new…

Uber co-founder Travis Kalanick no longer associated with company

Kristin Mariano Dec 26, 2019

After a decade since the conception of Uber, Travis Kalanick has severed his last ties with the company he co-founded by announcing his resignation from the board at the end of 2019.

How to Build a Travel Service Customers Will Love

Django Stars Dec 11, 2019

With more than 100k flights, 1.5 million bookings made every day, and every tenth person in the world employed in travel services, it’s no surprise that the value of the travel industry, and…

Travel Tech

Amadeus: “We’re democratising AI in travel”

Alastair Newport Nov 21, 2019

AI systems are set to provide a USD14 trillion boost to the global economy by 2035. In the travel industry, this technology has the potential to produce USD400 billion of value, more than…

Global

Revolutionising how tour management works is iZZi when you know how

Alastair Newport Oct 30, 2019

The tour guide is an essential cog in the travel industry. And it is through their enthusiasm and specialist knowledge of a destination, and all the wonderful possibilities that can be found…

Travel technology investment symposium announced

Megha Paul Oct 24, 2019

Travel Startups Incubator (TSI) has announced a one-day Travel Technology Investment Symposium, on 8 January 2020 in Miami at the Amadeus Executive Center. Dedicated exclusively to…

2019 MIST Winners Announced

Nattakorn Asunee Na Ayudhaya Oct 21, 2019

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION 14 October 2019 2019 MIST Winners Announced For the Mekong Innovative Startups in Tourism (MIST) event, travel and tourism innovators from…

Partner content

Hotelmize CEO: “Travel companies are lagging behind”

Tian Tolentino Oct 10, 2019

In this exclusive interview, Hotelmize CEO Dor Krubiner talks about the company's beginnings, the state of tech in the travel industry, and how the technology works for tour operators and…

Battle of the best: 2019 Mekong innovative start-ups in tourism finalists announced

Megha Paul Oct 3, 2019

The Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office has announced that 10 innovative start-ups from across the Mekong Region will compete in the Mekong Innovative Start-ups in Tourism (MIST)…

River Cruising

Testing of ‘flying’ water taxis continues in Paris

Tian Tolentino Sep 23, 2019

Flying boat startup SeaBubbles has continued the testing of its eco-friendly water taxis across the river Seine in Paris, which could be integrated into the transport network of the city.

The Rough Guide to being a travel company in 2019

Jon Reay Sep 19, 2019

Digital is transforming all industries. Businesses are becoming ever more digital. In travel, you may still be selling holidays, flights or accommodation but the way you do it has…

On the green track: ADB and PATA partner with Plug and Play

Megha Paul Sep 6, 2019

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), a non-profit membership association for acting as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel…

Vietjet opens first in-town ticket office

Megha Paul Sep 4, 2019

Low-cost carrier has unveiled its first ticket office to provide city check-in service. From now on, customers of the airline and Swift247, a technology startup providing super express…

Global

Vietjet, Swift247 and Grab ink pact to boost transport mobility and delivery

Megha Paul Aug 8, 2019

Airline Vietjet, Grab and Swift247, a startup providing super express air delivery service, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the comprehensive cooperation to develop…

MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing, Exhibitions)

7 sites in Portugal for MICE

Kristin Mariano Jul 17, 2019

As a world-class destination, Portugal also remains a strong contender in the global MICE market, in terms of infrastructure, network and accessibility, with excellent air links from the UK,…

Travel Tech

Asia’s youngest blockchain entrepreneur steals show at Techsauce Global Summit

Megha Paul Jun 24, 2019

One of the ASEAN region’s youngest entrepreneurs, KIDLetCoin CEO and co-founder, 10-year-old Kaede Takenaka, spoke about blockchain and cryptocurrencies at this year’s Techsauce Global…

Global

How the airport check-in rulebook has been ripped to shreds

Alastair Newport Jun 14, 2019

As we progress further into the 21st century, and the world we live in incorporates more technology to make our day-today experiences as convenient as possible, there is one glaring area…

Startups

BookMeBus wants an ecosystem around transportations

Kristin Mariano Jun 10, 2019

Buses are the preferred form of inter-provincial transportation in Cambodia. The same can be said for most countries in Southeast Asia. Backed with his decade of experience in the ICT…

Interviews

Explora.ph: “The Philippines is more than its greatest hits”

Tian Tolentino Jun 6, 2019

Tech startup Explora.ph has launched its mobile app, bringing together more than 1,500 curated attractions in the Philippines.

Tourism

Slovakia unveils Visa application centre in Bengaluru

Megha Paul May 31, 2019

Now, the Silicon Valley and startup hub of India has more access to Slovakia as the country has unveiled its visa application centre in Bengaluru. The centre in Bengaluru was formally…

Associations

Portugal beats out rivals to win re-election to the Executive Board of UNWTO

Alastair Newport May 30, 2019

Portugal, has been re-elected for a second term on the Executive Board of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), with a total of 29 votes – ahead of rivals Turkey (26), Italy (25) and…

Travel Tech

The importance of technology comfort

Simon Willmore May 16, 2019

We speak to Othmane Amrani, general manager of Hotel G Singapore

Startups

Booking.com: “The power to make a difference every single day”

Alastair Newport May 13, 2019

Booking.com has announced the sustainable tourism startups receiving scaling grants as part of its 2019 Booking Booster accelerator program today. Now in its third year, the three-week…

Startups

GetYourGuide bags EUR 500 million led by Softbank

Kristin Mariano Apr 29, 2019

Travel activity platform GetYourGuide has raised EUR 500 million from investors led by Japanese conglomerate Softbank.

Travel Tech

Travel tech this week: Tinder for boat owners and more

Kristin Mariano Apr 25, 2019

This week in the world of travel tech, we saw airlines partner with tech companies to improve their service and revenue. Moreover, another app is out in the market that connects boat owners…

Startups

Go-Jek and Traveloka mull over going public

Kristin Mariano Apr 16, 2019

Indonesian unicorns Go-Jek and Traveloka are reportedly thinking of holding an IPO, which could be the first for Indonesia Stock Exchange.

Travel Tech

Travel tech this week: Settling in Singapore

Kristin Mariano Apr 4, 2019

This week, we saw a lot of activity in Southeast Asia, which has been a fertile ground for start-ups. Two companies have set up offices in Singapore, which is still the best place to manage…

Startups

Like Chuxing raises ‘tens of millions’ of funding

Kristin Mariano Feb 27, 2019

Chinese car-sharing start-up Like Chuxing reportedly has secured “tens of millions” of dollars for its series B+ round of financing from a group of investors including Ant Financial, the…

Startups

Grab teases on big partnerships this year

Kristin Mariano Feb 21, 2019

Grab is not yet done as the ride-hailing app Grab has plans to expand into business ranging from health care to insurance to video streaming through big partnerships and raised funding.

Travel Tech

Travel tech this week: New start-ups and groundbreaking updates

Kristin Mariano Feb 21, 2019

This week, we saw new start-ups launch worldwide KIWIride, SensorFlow, and Bounce. Zudu cooked up digital strategies while Egencia updated its platform to enhance customer experiences,…

Air

Aviation round up: BA goes BOAC in time and Lufthansa looks to the future

Alastair Newport Jan 22, 2019

Aviation this week looks to the past as well as the future with some notable tech developments, while an iconic name celebrates a century of flying by rifling through its wardrobe for a…

Startups

GrabJobs disrupts old school recruitment process in SEA

Kristin Mariano Jan 16, 2019

Finding a job has never been this easy for both job seekers and employers. Singapore-based GrabJobs is making a fuss in the recruitment scene with their interview chatbot technology.

Podcasts

How tennis and tenacity helped to build the MICE industry’s biggest global player

Brett Henry Jan 10, 2019

I caught up with Bharet Malhotra, senior vice president of sales at Cvent – and one of the company’s founding members – for this week’s podcast.

Travel Tech

Travel tech this week: Start-ups Grab, Nezasa, AvantStay secure millions and more

Kristin Mariano Jan 3, 2019

It is that time of the week again. This time, we saw millions being secured by start-ups hinting the forthcoming innovations in various sectors.

Hotels

2018 in review: Movers and shakers in the hotel space

Tian Tolentino Jan 2, 2019

Mergers, acquisitions, and billion-dollar funding rounds — so much have happened in 2018 and so I’ve thought of compiling them into one bite-sized piece.

Podcasts

Content + collaboration = success: Podcast with Chirag Gupta, CEO of Deyor Camps

Brett Henry Dec 20, 2018

I spoke to Chirag Gupta, CEO of Deyor Camps - India's largest experiential travel company - about staying true to your values for this week's podcast.

Global

Founders and CEOs share their tips for finding the right team members

Kristin Mariano Dec 14, 2018

For the past year, I have spoken with founders and CEOs of various travel companies on how to find the right team members.

Global

“Visit Helsinki from the comfort of one’s own sofa” with VR Helsinki

MILI SEMLANI Semlani Nov 30, 2018

Nearly every industry leader and veteran has been talking about the new technological advancements and emerging ones like VR/AR will impact the travel industry. With VR-Helsinki, the capital…

Global

Portier hires travel tech grandee Olivier Dombey to become a “very serious player”

Alastair Newport Nov 27, 2018

Portier Technologies, has announced the appointment of Olivier Dombey as its new chief operating officer based out of the company’s Bangkok office.

Hotels

BedLinker: A marketplace for midsize players in the travel business

MILI SEMLANI Semlani Nov 16, 2018

A travel tech startup from the economic hub of Vietnam, BedLinker, aims to empower travel buyers and sellers to create their own seamless, configurable purchasing and distribution experience…

Hospitality

Direct Booking Summit: “China is the Wild West of hotel distribution”

Tian Tolentino Nov 13, 2018

Ahead of the Direct Booking Summit in Singapore next February, Triptease has spoken with Chetan Patel, VP for strategic marketing & e-commerce at ONYX Hospitality Group.

Travel Tech

Where pawns become queens: 5 underrated Asian markets

Kristin Mariano Nov 5, 2018

Asia and the Pacific is a massive market and a fertile ground for travel start-ups.

Tourism

Sweden calling: Growth in business and tourism ties with India

MILI SEMLANI Semlani Nov 5, 2018

There is a 23% increase in the number of tourists from India to Sweden according to a report shared by Visit Sweden and the Consul General of Sweden in Mumbai.

Hotels

TD enters Agoda’s Gold Circle

Alastair Newport Nov 2, 2018

A couple of days ago, Agoda, the Singaporean based company which dominates the OTA landscape in APAC, announced the winners of its Gold Circle Awards. I spoke to Errol Cooke, vice president…

Hotels

“We have Satoshi to thank”, says founder of KeyoCoin

MILI SEMLANI Semlani Nov 1, 2018

So what can the travel industry realistically hope to gain from blockchain technology in the decade to come? Matt Baer, founder and CEO of KeyoCoin, the universal travel rewards platform…

Global

New kids on the blockchain: TD gets the lowdown on Keyocoin with CEO, Matt Baer

Simon Willmore Oct 17, 2018

For this week's podcast I spoke to the CEO and founder of Keyocoin Matt Baer, about making a real-world application for blockchain, solving the difficulties of the fragmented nature of the…

Global

HR Executive Summit: Connecting, informing and developing

Alastair Newport Oct 13, 2018

A little over a month after the success TD GM Summit, it was time for the TD events team to once again swing into action.

Airlines and Aviation

Myway’s skyway to Budapest

Alastair Newport Sep 25, 2018

It has only been a little more than six months Georgia’s Myway Airlines received its air operator's certificate (AOC) in February of this year, and even less when it took to the skies for…

Podcasts

The workforce of the future: When AI meets HR

Brett Henry Sep 12, 2018

TD spoke to Jitender Panihar on this week's podcast about how AI will affect the role of HR professionals and indeed the global workforce.

Air

JetClass to the rescue: Launches Bern service for SkyWork passengers

Tian Tolentino Sep 3, 2018

Due to hundreds of flight cancellations in Bern, Switzerland, the Austrian business aviation startup, JetClass, has launched an on-demand service through a smart-matching online platform.

UK

“Group functionality is a game-changer” says Criton’s CEO

Alastair Newport Aug 22, 2018

Criton, a UK based tech startup, has launched a new “group app” tool designed specifically with the hospitality industry in mind.

How to – and how not to – use OTAs as partners

Brett Henry Jul 31, 2018

Dan Lynn is the co-founder of ZUZU Hospitality Solutions, a distribution and revenue management company for small independent hotels.

Corporate & Business

Is the sharing economy safe for corporate travel?

Kristin Mariano Jul 30, 2018

The sharing economy enables individuals to lend and avail goods and services to one another for a fee.

Hospitality

Chinese media giant Tencent to invest in Indian budget hotel start-up OYO Rooms

MILI SEMLANI Semlani Jul 26, 2018

Tencent Holdings Ltd. is in talks to lead a financing round of between US$300 million to US$500 million in Indian budget hotel brand OYO Rooms, valuing OYO at over US$2 billion, according to…

Hospitality

“The way online travel worked was broken” says Triptease founder

Alastair Newport Jul 9, 2018

Triptease bags a further USD 4 million on top of their original contributions from BGF and Notion Capital contributed. Now, with their total investment standing at USD 13 million, Charlie…

Hospitality

Sabre adds Booking.com listings to its new platform

Kristin Mariano Jul 3, 2018

Travel industry’s technology provider Sabre Corporation and Booking.com recently inked an agreement that will enable Sabre agency customers to access all Booking.com listings through the new…

Travel Tech

Why travelling to China nowadays is so much easier than in July 1997: mobile technology

Tian Tolentino Jun 14, 2018

Gone are the days where travellers had to print train tickets, boarding passes or hotel reservation receipts. Thanks to e-tickets, online bookings, and mobile check-in, consumers benefit…

OTAs & Tour Operators

‘Preserving something special by sharing it’ – Explora.ph founder on the challenges of bespoke travel

Tian Tolentino Jun 8, 2018

Last month, we featured Explora.ph, a travel platform that partners with locals to offer bespoke travel experiences in the Philippines. Here’s the inspiration behind the company, and some of…

Hospitality

Guesty, the property management platform behind Airbnb raises $19.75m

Tian Tolentino Apr 27, 2018

Guesty, a Tel Aviv-based Startup that provides an end-to-end property management platform, announced that it has raised $19.75 million in a series B funding.

Summit

TD Executive Summit: 3 August 2018

Thoe L-Khan Apr 2, 2018

50 Five-Star Hotel GMs, 6 Start-up Executives No promotion, no panels, no corporate pontification. Just executive-level education, on the six most important categories for hotel GMs in…

MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing, Exhibitions)

Bye bye group bookings? Marriott cuts strategic meetings and corporate travel commissions in North America

Simon Willmore Mar 21, 2018

The North American corporate travel, meetings and events industries alike all heaved a collective groan recently after receiving an email from Marriott International. The…

Airlines and Aviation

Airbus BizLab signs Indian start-ups in new push for ‘Make in India’

Alastair Newport Mar 8, 2018

Neewee and EFLIGHT, two start-ups accelerated at Airbus Bizlab India, have signed their first contracts with Airbus and subsidiary NAVBLUE to bring to life their unique innovative ideas in…

Entrepreneurs

‘I built a travel data start-up because of a selfish desire to keep in touch’

Simon Willmore Mar 2, 2018

Andres Fabris earned a finance degree from the University of Texas at Austin in the hopes of working in the finance side of the IT industry. Instead, he has spent 23 years growing, then…

Startups

MakeMyTrip Ltd renews OYO partnership

Simon Willmore Feb 28, 2018

India’s largest online travel services provider, MakeMyTrip Ltd, formally announced that it entered an agreement with award-winning budget hospitality company OYO. The agreement entails…

Entrepreneurs

‘Opaque booking format works for both hoteliers and guests’ – Travelspice co-founder

Simon Willmore Feb 27, 2018

We sat down with Travelspice co-founder and CFO Ankit Manglik for a short chat on the success of its opaque booking format, its future plans, and why its team chose “Kitney Mein Chahiye?” as…

Entrepreneurs

Reclaim adventure by going Anywhr

Simon Willmore Feb 22, 2018

Anywhr, an opaque bespoke tour booking start-up under the National University of Singapore’s NUS Enterprise programme, operates on the belief that “travel is more than just recycling…

Travel Tech

Duetto secure record-breaking $80 Million investment from Warburg Pincus

Alastair Newport Feb 15, 2018

Duetto, hospitality's only 'Revenue Strategy Platform', announced have the closing of an $80 million Series D financing round led by funds affiliated with Warburg Pincus, an American global…

Face‑to‑Face

Can hoteliers trust TrustYou?

Simon Willmore Feb 14, 2018

Hospitality and travel professionals should not miss this Q&A with CEO and co-founder Benjamin Yost

Travel Tech

Travel and booking APIs for online travel and tourism providers – which could you make use of?

Altexsoft Team Feb 6, 2018

According to the study by Fuel and Flip.to, travellers visit 4.4 unique websites to book their holidays. These sites tend to be ‘all-in-one-place’ platforms, done through combining data from…

Mobile & Social

“Every musician is born an entrepreneur” – how piano theory helps the founder of a messaging start-up

Simon Willmore Feb 6, 2018

We got in touch with Unified Inbox CEO and founder Toby Ruckert, to figure out how seemingly disparate interests could create a platform that allows for a harmonious relationship between…

Travel Tech

Unpacking traveller needs made easy with Unified Inbox

Simon Willmore Jan 31, 2018

IoT and AI come together through Unified Inbox (UIB), which enables people to talk with all of their smart devices through a single integrated API.

Corporate & Business

MagicStay accelerates growth securing EUR 1.5 million investment

Simon Willmore Jan 30, 2018

B2B alternative accommodations rental platform for business tourism recently earned EUR 1.5 million (US$1.86 million) in its latest fundraiser.

Face‑to‑Face

‘Talk less, listen more:’ Harnessing data out of customer sentiment with Twistar

Simon Willmore Jan 28, 2018

Twistar, a mobile device that harnesses feedback into actionable data, provides engagement that businesses can customise & customers can enjoy.

Travel Tech

Keeping revenue and guest satisfaction handy

Simon Willmore Jan 26, 2018

Handy has made it possible for hotel operators to engage with guests through all stages of the travel journey, even as they step out of the actual hotel.

Corporate & Business

Demystifying air travel with Mystifly

Simon Willmore Jan 23, 2018

Mystifly has become the definitive anywhere-to-anywhere B2B global airfare marketplace.

Face‑to‑Face

Joining offbeat trips is serious business: Q&A with Tripkada CEO April Cuenca

Simon Willmore Jan 23, 2018

I recently sat down with Tripkada's April Cuenca to learn more about how both she and the startup she built are disrupting the Philippine travel industry.

Indonesia

SEAsians #GoLoka for Traveloka

Simon Willmore Jan 22, 2018

Traveloka appears to be crushing Expedia in core SE Asian markets despite their late entry. Will it continue to do so in 2018?

Face‑to‑Face

Pace keeps hotel prices in step with market demand

Simon Willmore Jan 20, 2018

Pace promises that it will allow hotels to work less in order to change rates more frequently and accurately thanks to its platform's AI and analytics tech.

Travel Tech

TrustYou boasts multiple guest feedback solutions in one login

Simon Willmore Jan 18, 2018

TrustYou ushers in the new year with a new all-in-one guest feedback platform, which features a singular login account and a streamlined user interface.

Entrepreneurs

Travel tech innovation race at full speed with ‘Hotel Jumpstart’

Simon Willmore Jan 15, 2018

Five companies recently pitched for Hotel Jumpstart, a mentorship-driven accelerator programme to support the most innovative travel tech startups.

Face‑to‑Face

Opening Asia to branded budget stays, one RedDoorz at a time

Simon Willmore Jan 15, 2018

RedDoorz aims to be the Uber of budget accommodation: its ecosystem allows owners of unbranded spaces to showcase their properties & reach out to travellers who want to avail of quality…

Travel Tech

CBInsights reviews 2017 trends in travel tech start-ups and investments

Simon Willmore Jan 10, 2018

Tech analyst company CBInsights argues that travel tech is evolving faster than Pokemon.

Startups

Packdat start-up! Disrupting the travel market with Felix Lee

Simon Willmore Jan 3, 2018 6

Felix Lee Zheng De looks like any other Singaporean engineering student: lanky, bespectacled, wearing jeans and trainers, raring to go anywhere. What sets this twenty-something apart is that…

Travel Tech

Buddy up on budget adventures with Tripkada

Simon Willmore Dec 31, 2017 1

Friendly, generous, caring, adventurous. These make us Filipinos the best chums or ‘barkada’ in virtually everything, particularly when travelling. Now, a local start-up weaponises these…

UK

Air Europa to offer flights to Quito from January

Jill Sayles Dec 18, 2017 14

Air Europa will strengthen ties to Ecuador with flights to Quito from January. From 1 January 2018, the Spanish airline will cover the triangular route between Madrid, Quito and Guayaquil…

Events

MICE and Corporate buyers flock to ITB Asia 2017

Alastair Newport Oct 26, 2017 18

Celebrating its 10th anniversary as Asia’s Leading Travel Trade Show, ITB Asia 2017 has opened its doors today at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands.

United States

10 Reasons Why You SHOULDN’T Attend the 2017 Phocuswright Conference: Can You Afford NOT to Come?

Mark Elliott Oct 18, 2017 0

Here are 10 reasons you shouldn't attend The Phocuswright Conference: 1. You have no reason to hear from – and meet – top travel executivesHate growing your professional network? Then this…

United States

Starwood Capital stake fuels Yotel’s global growth plan

Mark Elliott Sep 27, 2017 0

A $250-million capital injection and 30% ownership stake from Starwood Capital Group is expected to help London-based Yotel seek aggressive global portfolio growth, with plans to reach 50 to…

Hotels

Forbes Names Marriott International One of the World’s Most Innovative Companies

Mark Elliott Aug 21, 2017 0

Marriott International, Inc., was recently named to the Forbes 2017 World’s Most Innovative Companieslist, joining the ranks of Tesla, Amazon and Netflix.  Forbes’ proprietary…

United States

From On-Demand Champagne to Mountaintop Yoga Class, Welcome To The New Expectations In Luxury Travel

Mark Elliott Aug 7, 2017 0

From on-demand champagne to mountaintop yoga class, new concepts of luxury are changing what high-end travelers expect. As the world’s ideas of wealth and status change, travelers’ ideas of…

United States

Five Essential Eclipse Facts and 772 Places to Camp To See It

Mark Elliott Aug 1, 2017 0

To encourage Americans to get outside for the 2017 solar eclipse, Hipcamp —a startup that creates new campsites by unlocking access to beautiful private lands such as nature preserves,…

United States

From On-Demand Champagne to Mountaintop Yoga Class, New Concepts of Luxury Are Changing What High-End Travelers Expect

Mark Elliott Jul 24, 2017 0

New research shows how evolving definitions of ‘luxury’ and ‘status’ are altering travelers’ preferences and expectations of service SOUTHLAKE, Texas  – As the world’s ideas of wealth and…

United States

Open Destinations Acquires Award-Winning Mobile Technology Solution for Tour Operators

Mark Elliott Jun 14, 2017 0

Tour operator specialist buys majority stake in Asia-based startupLeading travel technology provider Open Destinations has acquired a majority stake in Tineri, a mobile itinerary startup…

United States

Q&A: with CEO Hotels of The Future – hotels.com

Simon Willmore Mar 16, 2017 1

We caught up with Dr. James Canton, CEO and Chairman of the Institute for Global Futures about how hotels will look like in the future. Dr. Canton is a global futurist, social scientist,…

Airlines and Aviation

Finnair partners with Amadeus on new NDC capability

Aaron Greenwood Mar 2, 2017

Finnair has partnered with Amadeus to launch a new solution, Amadeus Altea NDC, which is based on  IATA's NDC (New Distribution Capability) XML-based messaging standard. Finnair is…

Airlines and Aviation

flydubai and HackMania launch second Air Travel Hackathon

Gemma Greenwood Mar 1, 2017

flydubai has announced details of its second Air Travel Hackathon in association with Hyderabad-based tech startup HackMania. The Hackathon, which is supported by the E-Cell of…

United States

My 15 Minutes of Fame (and why Airbnb is Killing it)

Simon Willmore Feb 19, 2017 0

In 2010, I was working on an update to our U.S. vacation rental market research, and one name kept popping up: Airbnb. I began digging in. The model was odd – people rent out their primary…

United States

Spotlight on Pedro Ceron, changing the game with Tampa Bay Travel Massive

Chicke Fitzgerald Feb 16, 2017 4

New Travel Massive Chapter focuses on changing the game in Tampa Bay Pedro Ceron is a travel industry veteran and is joined in this interview by the Game Changer host and fellow industry…

United States

ENTREPRENEURIALISM: Stephanie Breedlove – ALL IN

Chicke Fitzgerald Feb 15, 2017 0

Stephanie Breedlove-All In: How Women Entrepreneurs Can Think Bigger, Build Sustainable Businesses, and Change the World Listen to this 52-minute interview with Stephanie to learn how to …

Airlines and Aviation

easyJet and Founders Factory grant funding to start-ups

Aaron Greenwood Feb 14, 2017

easyJet and Founders Factory have announced the first two travel start-ups selected for their Travel Tech accelerator programme. In October 2016, easyJet announced a strategic investment…

United States

Elliot Hool, CMO of SimpleOrder Talks Romantic Destinations for Valentine’s Day

Simon Willmore Feb 11, 2017 0

With Valentine's Day approaching, romantic destinations are growing in popularity, with many people looking to surprise their partner on February 14. What are the most romantic restaurants…

Maldives

Coming to San Francisco in 2017

Simon Willmore Jan 17, 2017 0

The year 2017 in San Francisco will be a time of welcoming the new and unique while celebrating the richness of the past.  Here are some of the major highlights: 50th Anniversary of the…

Fast Company™: Lessons from Silicon Valley's Biggest Mistakes from 2016

Chicke Fitzgerald Jan 6, 2017 0

Failure as Teacher, even for UnicornsOne of the game changing principles of success is the value of failure as teacher.  If you can learn from others' mistakes, you can save yourself a lot…

Features

PhocusWright Conferences Brings Top Travel Leaders Together

Carri Wilbanks Nov 17, 2016

The 2016 Phocuswright Conference opened in Los Angeles running from November 14 to 17 with more than 1,800 people expected to attend. During the four days, the city becomes the epicenter…

Phocuswright 2016: The 9th Annual Edition of the Summit and the Winners

Chicke Fitzgerald Nov 15, 2016 0

Collectively since the formal launch of the Innovation program by Phocuswright in 2008, 260 innovators have received over $2b in funding. In day one of the Innovation portion of the…

Phocuswright 2016: Innovators, Innovators, Everywhere Innovators

Chicke Fitzgerald Nov 15, 2016 7

Innovation is one of the core topics that Travel Daily Media will be covering in the Executive Village section of the publication and on our Game Changer radio program.  The Innovation…

UK

WTM 2016 to showcase new trends reports

Aaron Greenwood Oct 20, 2016

World Travel Market London 2016 will unveil an array of research in to a variety of sectors within the global travel industry when it opens its doors between Monday 7 – Wednesday 9 November.…

UK

easyJet invests in travel technology incubator

Aaron Greenwood Oct 17, 2016

easyJet has signed a multi-million-pound deal with Founders Factory, the corporate backed, multi-sector accelerator and incubator created by Brent Hoberman and Henry Lane Fox.  easyJet…

Travel Tech

New Tineri app connects Asian travel companies with customers

Mark Elliott Aug 12, 2016

A new mobile app has been launched that allows travel agents, tour operators and DMCs in Southeast Asia to connect with their customers. Tineri, which now forms part of the Travel…

Corporate & Business

Travel Boutique Online teams up with Fxkart.com

Gemma Greenwood Jul 17, 2016

Travel Boutique Online (TBO), India’s largest B2B travel portal backed by Naspers, has announced a strategic partnership with Fxkart.com, an online aggregator/marketplace of Foreign Exchange…

UK

Face to face: Toni Stoeckl, VP of lifestyle brands and Dan Vinh, VP of global marketing for lifestyle brands, Marriott International

Gemma Greenwood Jun 30, 2016

Tell us about AC Hotels by Marriott  AC Hotels is a lifestyle hotel brand with Spanish roots and European soul. Renowned hotelier Antonio Catalan founded the brand in 1998 and grew AC…

Airlines and Aviation

flydubai partners with HackMania

Mark Elliott Jun 12, 2016

flydubai recently announced its partnership with Hyderabad-based tech startup, HackMania, to promote its Application Programming Interface (API) App Store. As part of this initiative,…

UK

Luxury villa specialist secures £1m funding

Aaron Greenwood Apr 11, 2016

Edge Retreats, a London-based tech startup specialising in luxury villas worldwide, has closed a seed funding round of close to $1m. Led by entrepreneurial VC fund Lean Investments with…

Airlines and Aviation

Turkish Airlines collaborates with Plug and Play

Mark Elliott Apr 7, 2016

Plug and Play is looking at key innovations across a wide range of industries, while Turkish Airlines has a deeper focus on innovations. In parallel with Turkish Airlines’ goals for…

Corporate & Business

North America dominates UK business travel bookings: report

Aaron Greenwood Feb 26, 2016

New data from American Express Global Business Travel (GBT) highlights the destinations most booked by UK-based business travellers in 2015, with traditional global business hubs leading the…

UK

Voting opens for Business Travel Show Disrupt Awards

Aaron Greenwood Feb 8, 2016

The first wave of voting for the inaugural Business Travel Show Disrupt Awards has now opened with eight innovative start-ups vying for the top prize.  The eight nominees are all under…

UK

Travel Tripper opens London office

Aaron Greenwood Jan 13, 2016

Hotel reservation specialist Travel Tripper has opened a new office in London. The company’s booking technology, e-commerce platform and presence will now be available to the European…

Travel Tech

Irhal’s Arabic app selected for Google’s Global Travel Start-up programme

Mark Elliott Dec 15, 2015

Irhal Halal Travel App was recently selected in the MENA region as the only start-up for the first global travel start-up programme. This programme was launched by Google for…

UK

Business Travel Show 2016 focuses on innovation

Mark Elliott Nov 5, 2015

A new Launchpad area and the Travel Technology Disrupt Awards will be introduced to Business Travel Show 2016, as the event aims to highlight industry innovation and support new…

UK

Business Travel Show reveals new initiatives for 2016

Gemma Greenwood Nov 4, 2015

A new Launchpad area and the Travel Technology Disrupt Awards will be introduced to Business Travel Show 2016 to help buyers source the very latest in industry innovation and to support and…

Guest Column

In Search of a Perfect Pairing

Mark Elliott Aug 6, 2015

Pairing a good wine with my meal is a personal passion. As such, I am always on the lookout for new and upcoming wines in the region to add a new dimension and flavour to a meal. I recently…

Travel Tech

ClickTripz acquires hotel data-analytics start-up

Aaron Greenwood Jul 24, 2015

Travel technology firm ClickTripz has announced the acquisition of hotel data-science startup, TheSuitest. TheSuitest gained acclaim for applying Wall Street-style data analytics to the…

Travel Tech

Amadeus to support tech start-ups

Mark Elliott May 15, 2015

Amadeus has launched a new programme intended to support new start-up companies in the travel technology sector. The company said its new 'Amadeus for Startups' programme is "designed to…

UK

Hotelbeds Group named lead partner of travel tech incubator

Aaron Greenwood Apr 15, 2015

TUI Group division Hotelbeds Group has been named the lead partner of the Traveltech Lab, a recently launched incubator for travel tech companies based in London.  Under the…

UK

Travel tech incubator launches in London

Aaron Greenwood Mar 14, 2015

The UK’s first-ever travel technology incubator has launched in an official ceremony in London.  Traveltech Lab offers high-specification workspace for 30 people co-located within the…

Airlines and Aviation

Turkish Airlines launch ‘Invest On Board’ platform

Mark Elliott Nov 26, 2013

In an effort to encourage business development, Turkish Airlines has launched a unique program catering to entrepreneurs – Invest on Board. The worldwide program offers investors a…

Guest Column

The Snow White Theory

Mark Elliott Sep 9, 2013

Today we introduce a new columnist for Travel Daily Media. Timothy O'Neil-Dunne will be penning an occasional column on technology and the travel marketplace. We asked him to start with…

Global

New Thai airline to take off in Oct.

Mark Elliott Oct 2, 2009

The first new Thai startup airline in many years, branded Happy Airways, is poised for take-off late this month, defying the aviation industry downturn and a slump in air…