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This edition is arriving just in time for your weekly roundup of the travel industry’s top news, trends, and startup stories:
- Quick booking, tech boost. A travel discovery platform, supported by leaders such as the founders of Booking.com and Skyscanner, alongside Paris Hilton, has recently disclosed a €3 million investment. Layla is reshaping trip planning through the use of AI and concise travel videos. Their Instagram Travel Planner merges social media inspiration with swift booking, promising an improved user experience by seamlessly connecting social media, planning, and booking.
- Eco-friendly travel is their goal. Danish startup BeCause has raised €1.75M in seed funding to boost its mission of revolutionizing sustainability in the travel and tourism industries. BeCause’s system makes it easier for companies like Booking.com and Google to handle sustainability data. This funding, amid a challenging startup climate, underscores the pressing need for sustainable solutions. Apart from addressing environmental impact, BeCause’s also enhances transparency, reshaping the travel industry to be more green and responsible.
- Accelerate your payment operations with ease. You can level up your payment operations with our latest report, made in collaboration with Airwallex. We unfold five key aspects of payments, offering easy solutions to elevate how you manage money. Discover how industry leaders are effortlessly streamlining supplier payments and reconciling transactions. It’s an easy read, packed with great ideas to make your payment operations smoother in 2024. Ready? Download it now.
- Guiding fresh travel concepts. Italian travel company WeRoad recently secured €18 million in funding, bringing the total to €36 million. Blending local experiences and fostering social connections on group adventures, WeRoad primarily caters to millennials. What sets them apart is that, instead of traditional guides, passionate fellow travelers take the lead. The funds will support their growth, enhance technology, and strengthen their presence in Europe, with global expansion plans.
- Rethinking Amsterdam. Back in March, Amsterdam launched a campaign named ‘Stay Away’ with a simple goal: keeping the party-goers away. Surprise – it didn’t quite hit the mark. Fast forward, and now they’re gearing up for a fresh attempt, with a new campaign. This article offers insight into Amsterdam’s efforts to redefine its image and the impact a city brand can have. It’s captivating to witness the city’s attempts to rewrite the narrative, actively sharing its story as a destination, and providing clarity for tourists in the process.
- When fintech broadens travel possibilities. In another interesting development at the intersection of fintech and travel, Klarna has teamed up with Cathay Pacific, allowing users to leverage its intelligent payment options when booking flights. Using Klarna, Cathay Pacific customers can divide their payment into three parts at no additional cost or opt for financing lasting 6 to 24 months. This partnership highlights Klarna’s venture into travel, providing an alternative to credit cards for the substantial $1 trillion spent globally on flights each year. It makes me think: How much can travel grow with the help of these fintech solutions?