

“We went to space in 1968, and it wasn’t until 1972 that we put wheels on luggage.” This quote from Sofoklis Limniotis (HBX Group), shared during a panel discussion at the FutureTravel Summit, perfectly captures the paradox of innovation: sometimes the solutions we need are right in front of us, but it takes a shift in perspective to see their potential.
In travel, that spark often comes from fintech. Travel businesses recognise that their future lies not just in offering flights, hotels, or experiences, but in equipping financial technology as an arm of their business. This was the big takeaway from the FutureTravel Summit panel discussion, featuring Caravelo, Travelsoft, HBX Group, and Airwallex. The discussion started with the moderator, Immy Spence, from Airwallex (a fintech), asking how the fintech industry could better serve the travel sector. The answer from the panellists? The travel businesses who embrace existing financial technology solutions to build the next wave of innovative products may very well find themselves leading the way in years to come.
But how do travel businesses begin to bridge the travel-fintech divide?
An obvious place to start, according to the panel, is that payments need to stay connected across the entire booking cycle. From the moment a booking is made to when the service is delivered, seamless integration ensures transparency and trust – something that fintech is uniquely positioned to solve in such a complex, global industry.
Based on insights from the panel discussion, here are 5 ways travel businesses can stay ahead with fintech.
1. Cross-border payments flows fit for travel
Whether it’s paying global hotel/airline chains or local tour guides, collecting customer funds in different currencies, or managing staff expenses abroad, cross-border payments can feel like an endless headache. Delays, hidden fees, and FX risks add unnecessary complexity.
Modern fintech solutions are turning this around, making cross-border payments fast, transparent, and cost-effective. For example, travel businesses can accept and hold funds in multiple currencies, pay international partners at interbank rates, and avoid hefty conversion fees. This is a game-changer for businesses scaling globally, where every dollar saved counts.
2. Efficient FX management
Operating in multiple markets often means juggling different currencies and dealing with the risks of fluctuating exchange rates. Frequent conversions and hidden FX fees can quickly add up, costing businesses valuable resources.
Travel companies can collect, hold, and manage funds in multiple currencies, without needing to open local bank accounts. This makes it possible to pay suppliers or accept payments in their preferred currencies while minimising conversion costs. Imagine a DMC in Asia easily receiving payments in Euros from a European tour operator, holding the funds, and paying local European suppliers in their own currency. Sounds like fintech magic? It’s not – just efficient FX management!
3. Refunds done right
Travel disruptions happen – it’s part of the game. But delayed refunds? That’s a fast track to losing customer trust. The pandemic days showed us how unprepared many businesses were when refund requests came flooding in.
Luckily, automated tools now turn refund processing from a weeks-long nightmare into a same-day solution. By streamlining the process, travel companies can get money back to customers quickly, rebuilding goodwill and safeguarding their reputation when it matters most.
4. Busy trips & workflows
For travel management companies (TMCs) and corporate travel platforms, handling payments for business trips can feel like untangling a giant knot. From tracking expenses to reimbursing employees in different currencies, it’s often a slow and manual grind.
Fintech tools like virtual cards are simplifying corporate travel payments. Businesses can issue cards with spending limits and real-time tracking, making it effortless to manage expenses while staying compliant with company policies. Less time on admin means more time on growth.
5. Making payments safe
Fraudulent transactions and chargebacks cost the travel industry billions every year. As more customers shift to online booking, securing payment systems has become mission-critical.
AI-powered fraud detection tools integrated into fintech platforms spot suspicious transactions in real time, reducing fraud and chargebacks. These tools also protect customer data, building trust and ensuring compliance with global regulations.
As emphasized by the panelists on stage during the FutureTravel Summit, the best travel businesses are no longer just selling flights, rooms, or packages; they’re also becoming financial innovators. From Caravelo’s subscription-based models to fintech-first solutions powered by Airwallex, these businesses are setting a new standard for how things can be done.
The tools and technology are already here. As the HBX Group panelist said, sometimes the solutions are right in front of us; it just takes vision to use them. Imagine fintech as the missing link, helping travel businesses scale globally, simplify complexity, and build trust with customers.


The way money moves in travel is changing, for the better. Think about a travel startup in Berlin working with suppliers in Thailand or a local DMC in Peru catering to European travelers. Fintech is bridging these global gaps, making sure payments are fast, accurate, and transparent, no matter the currency or time zone.
If you are ready to bring fintech into your business strategy, 2025 is the perfect time to start.