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Here is your weekly wrap up of the top news about innovation in the travel industry:
- Short term renting is back with a new face. While travelers are now less constrained by time thanks to changing work habits, many are going back to short term rentals and the sector is shaping up. According to Phocuswright research, by the end of 2022, gross bookings will reach €37.5 billion. It’s a global trend too – San Francisco based Hostfully just scored $4 million to help manage guest bookings and comms.
- Travel is flying to the blockchain. Chain4Travel wants to build a blockchain platform for B2B and B2C leisure travel products and has just raised CHF4.3 million for its blockchain-based travel platform, known as Camino. The token pre-sale is due to take flight this summer – we’ll be watching how this goes.
- Let’s talk about diversity? WeTravel has just launched a Women in Travel vertical in its academy. Intended to bring any individual who identifies as female or with femininity in travel together in one place, the vertical will focus on intersectionality, creating inclusive travel experiences and empowering equal outcomes.
- It’s time for accessible travel. We aim for travel to be a joyful experience, one that hits all the senses. No one should be restricted or discriminated simply because of their ability. That’s why Mobee has built a platform for travelers with reduced mobility or disabilities and they’ve just picked up €1.5million.
- Hotel or apartment: why not both? Combining the luxury service and reliability of a hotel with the amenities and convenience of a home, Mint House has just brought in $35 million. The company is transforming the traditional hotel industry with a tech-first approach, and I love it.
- Ranking remote working cities. Remote work is now firmly embedded in the travel industry, we know it. And as many are shaping their strategies to accommodate these new needs, Workmotion has just released a study ranking 100 cities worldwide based on the concentration of local talent, local salary levels, and remote working infrastructure. Interesting to see how the sector grows from an analysis like these.
- When startups and corporates get together. Yes. This is one of my favourite approaches when it comes to innovation. Norwegian airline Norse Atlantic is now going to work with EveryMundo as its provider of fare marketing tech. The startup will be able to benefit from the corporate efficiency to establish brand awareness and recognition to fuel bookings, while the corporate can also benefit from increased traffic from the Nordic region. Win-win.
- Travel is going high-fashion. Travel is fashionable – and now we can say that in every sense of the word. The iconic Elle Magazine has just joined the travel world with the launch of Elle Hospitality. Featuring two boutique hotels (Maison Elle and Elle Hotel) the new venture is a high-end chic concept and marks a new wave of multidisciplinary crossovers in the industry.
- Will sustainability hold travel back? Sustainability is the mot du jour, and across industries, different initiatives are being adopted. In travel, this has been much more than just a buzzword: as travel demand hots up again, so does traveler demand for sustainable choices. But we are still wondering if the industry is keeping up and if the solutions are being adopted fast enough?