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Here is your weekly curation of the top news in innovations, trends and startups shaping the travel industry:
- Before and After. I really enjoyed this article from Crunchbase that analyses the evolving landscape of travel startups, comparing times before and after COVID-19. Despite the pandemic’s slowdown (and in some cases, a full stop), recent investments hint at a potential rebound. As major players like TravelPerk and Klook recently secured substantial funding, this indicates a renewed sense of optimism among investors. As business trips and vacations start up again, seems like the travel industry is on the rise – we can’t wait to see what unfolds!
- Still the season for trend reports. If you like a good collection of insights, you’ll enjoy this report from The Points Guy. It shows changing traveler preferences, focusing on a shift towards experiential travel and destination-based tourism. Despite challenges like climate change and overtourism, the report shows continued growth in travel volume. It covers various topics such as top destinations, technology advancements, and developments in the cruise, hotel, airline, credit card, and loyalty program sectors. Nice one!
- Glamping made in Spain. Spanish startup Kampaoh, specializing in glamping, saw remarkable growth in 2023. From its founding in 2016, revenue surged from €45k to €23 million within seven years, driven by expansion into new European markets. Offering sustainable handmade tents, Kampaoh aims to further expand, targeting 100 campsites. Presently in Spain, France, Italy, and Portugal, the company plans to elevate the camping experience and explore new destinations like the Philippines and the Dominican Republic.
- Mews Acquisition, chapter 8. Mews is expanding its portfolio of hotel solutions with the acquisition of San Francisco-based Frontdesk Anywhere, a cloud management software provider for independent hotels and management groups. This marks Mews’ eighth acquisition, strengthening its presence in North America and aligning with their commitment to innovate and enhance hotel tech globally, following significant growth and investment in recent years.
- Smart luggage transport. Changi Airport is partnering with Aurrigo to test an autonomous baggage handling vehicle. Like a smart cart that moves luggage without needing a driver, this vehicle is designed to streamline aircraft turnaround times by enhancing maneuverability and auto-loading capabilities. Changi’s interest in exploring new technologies, like electric and autonomous operation of vehicles, marks a shift towards innovative airside automation that raises industry standards and improves airport operations’ efficiency.
- Collaborative booking experience. Jerusalem-based startup Joyned secures $8M in Series A funding, backed by four VCs. Its AI-based social revenue platform boosts travel sites’ performance by offering personalized deals, increasing conversion rates by fourfold and booking values by 25%. With partnerships with giants like Amadeus and OYO, Joyned aims to transform the $4.6 trillion hospitality industry by improving collaborative booking experiences and boosting engagement.
- The new normal? Amadeus acquired Vision-Box, a biometrics leader, to help make travel more seamless for passengers. This will let Amadeus provide a complete experience from booking to arriving at the airport, including border control and boarding – offering passengers a seamless journey and making travel more convenient. This aims to make things easier, saving time, and better allocating resources – good for travelers and travel professionals. Earlier this month we talked about Portuguese airports implementing the technology.
- If you were alive in 2023, you probably heard of Taylor Swift. At this point some say she has a Midas touch and she even had an impact on travel. Now American Airlines sure knew how to ride that wave with some savvy marketing. They got it right and got the fans buzzing. Now, while I’m no Taylor Swift expert (or pop culture guru, for that matter), I do appreciate a clever marketing move that doesn’t break the bank.