We are thrilled to announce that Emilie Dumont, the Managing Director at Digitrips Group, will be joining us as a keynote speaker at the 2023 FutureTravel Summit. Digitrips has established itself as one of the top B2B2C travel solution providers in France in just under five years, handling more than 3 million bookings annually. Their technology-driven approach allows businesses of all kinds to easily sell travel services to their customers.
Emilie brings over 20 years of experience in senior financial, project, and general management roles. She has played a crucial role in driving the growth, transformation, and digitalization of various businesses. At the FutureTravel Summit, Emilie will share her expertise and insights about the role of technology in creating personalized travel experiences that cater to the evolving demands of the market.
Join us at the FutureTravel Summit to hear from Emilie Dumont’s great insights, along with those of other industry-leading speakers who are shaping the future of travel. This is an excellent opportunity to connect with travel innovators, startups, investors, and corporates, contributing to dynamic discussions that are driving the industry forward.
We are thrilled to welcome our latest keynote speaker Fabrizio Orlando, Global Director of Industry Affairs at Tripadvisor. As one of the world’s largest travel guidance platforms, Tripadvisor is the go-to place for travelers to find deals on accommodations, book experiences, restaurants and discover new places.
Fabrizio oversees the company’s institutional relationships, spearheads global thought leadership projects, and establishes partnerships. He has collaborated with national hospitality and tourism bodies, associations, and non-governmental organizations to position Tripadvisor as a trusted partner within the travel and tourism industry.
Fabrizio’s involvement in the industry goes beyond his role at Tripadvisor, as he holds a seat on the Board of Directors for UNWTO Affiliate Members and serves as an Advisory Member for the UNWTO Best Tourism Village initiative. Additionally, he shares his expertise as a lecturer at esteemed universities like La Sapienza, 24ORE Business School, and Federico II.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity and join us at the FutureTravel Summit to gain invaluable insights from Fabrizio Orlando and other industry-leading speakers who are shaping the future of travel. The event will provide a unique opportunity to connect with travel innovators, service providers, startups, investors, and corporates, contributing to dynamic discussions that will shape the future of the travel industry.
We are excited to share that Alexander Gevers Deynoot, the Global Director of Hotel Chains at Hopper, will be speaking at the FutureTravel Summit 2023, on October 27th.
With the mission to ‘help customers spend less and travel better,’ Hopper is an OTA that tracks the cost of airline tickets, car rentals, and hotel rooms over time to provide their users with the best offers by predicting the best time to book based on historical analysis.
In 2021, Hopper launched ‘Hopper Cloud,’ a B2B initiative that enables any provider to integrate and distribute Hopper’s fintech or travel inventory. As a result, airlines, hotels, OTAs, travel agencies, and more can grow and retain their direct bookers while Hopper takes on 100% of the financial risk.
At Hopper, Alexander Gevers Deynoot holds the position of Global Director of Hotel Chains. He leads the company’s global expansion efforts and establishes direct partnerships with hotel chains, equipping them with Hopper’s white-label solutions, such as ‘Cancel for Any Reason’ and ‘Price Freeze,’ specifically tailored to the needs of each hotel brand. These solutions help hotels transform into modern e-commerce channels and enhance their users’ experience.
Join us at the FutureTravel Summit to gain invaluable insights from Alexander Gevers and other industry leaders shaping the future of travel. Connect with over 400 travel innovators, service providers, startups, investors, and corporates, shaping the future of the travel industry.
We are happy to announce that David Garcia, the Chief Information Officer (CIO) at TUI Musement – the tours & activities division of TUI Group, will be joining us as a speaker at this year’s FutureTravel Summit in Barcelona on October 27th.
As a leader in the digital acceleration of the travel industry, David has been instrumental in driving TUI’s digital transformation. With over 20 years of experience in various industries, including finance, telecommunications, and business consulting, David brings a wealth of expertise to the table.
Throughout his career, David has spearheaded TUI’s digital initiatives, from migrating the entire organization to the cloud to collaborating with innovative startups for platform development. Currently, David’s primary focus is on integrating advanced AI into existing platforms, revolutionizing the way TUI teams serve their customers and clients.
The FutureTravel Summit presents a unique opportunity to gain valuable insights from industry brilliant minds like David Garcia. Join us to discover the latest advancements in the travel industry and become part of a growing community that is redefining the future of travel.
Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to learn from David Garcia and other esteemed industry leaders. Secure your ticket now to join us at the FutureTravel Summit, and be part of the discussion shaping the future of the travel industry.
We are excited to announce that Pranav Sood, the Executive General Manager for EMEA at Airwallex, will be joining us as a featured speaker at this year’s FutureTravel Summit in Barcelona. Pranav’s extensive experience and expertise in the intersection of fintech and travel make him an awesome addition to our lineup of industry leaders.
Based in London, Pranav Sood holds the position of Executive General Manager, EMEA at Airwallex. In this role, he shoulders the responsibility for managing all aspects of Airwallex’s strategy and operations across the EMEA region. Pranav’s contribution extends beyond the region, as he also plays a crucial role in supporting the global strategy of Airwallex as a member of the global leadership team. His insights and expertise will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of both the travel and finance sectors – and we can’t wait to hear from him.
Don’t miss your chance to hear from Pranav Sood and other distinguished speakers at the FutureTravel Summit. Join us in engaging discussions on the future landscape of travel, exploring the exciting possibilities and opportunities that lie ahead. This is a great opportunity to meet some of the world’s foremost experts and decision-makers in the travel industry.
Secure your seat today to be part of this gathering of over 400 innovators, decision-makers and leaders from the travel industry.
As the concept of the metaverse gained momentum, many brands found themselves in a race to establish their presence in this new universe. But amidst the frenzy, it becomes crucial to question the motives behind such pursuits. Does it truly align with the brand, its business objectives, and future aspirations? Or is it merely a fleeting trend to chase after?
These questions arise whenever we encounter transformative tech tools that reshape our connection with the world. In recent times, a city has taken a step further and created its own virtual world: a place where key landmarks have been recreated, offering virtual tours for tourists and facilitating engaging experiences like concerts, sporting events, and local design shopping… Meet the city embracing the multiverse.
Virtual Helsinki: a bold initiative in an innovative city
Virtual Helsinki is an online digital experience in which, only with VR glasses, you can visit the city, see its main sights, and feel — even if not with the usual cold weather of the Finnish capital — what it’s like to walk through its streets.
A project created in high-quality 3D for VR by Zoan, takes digital tourism to another level, enabling different actions, such as shopping, training, concerts, simulations and virtual citizenship for example. This is all part of a larger plan to make even more complex interactions with the city possible through the virtual world.
Helsinki developed the city tour but continued thinking about actions that would actually bring a piece of what exists in the world to virtual reality, enabling deeper interactions and allowing tourists to move freely.
Visitors can tour Helsinki as it was in the early 20th century or enter a virtual store and purchase Finish design products, which will be delivered to their homes by post,
Helsinki has been a pioneering city in the development of technological solutions, collaborating with the scientific community, companies, and residents in the quest to renew and develop. Chosen as the most “smart” destination in Europe in 2019 (European Capital of Smart Tourism), the city creates a new possibility for the future of travel and becomes a reference for the whole world.
The future of travel and the metaverse of cities
When we think about technological progress, we often envision a positive future. It seems plausible to create metaverses of cities and virtual realities with the right resources and partners, doesn’t it?
However, if we pause to contemplate creating virtual realities as a project for the future of the tourism industry, we must consider various factors.
While visiting a city virtually can be fascinating and provide entertainment, it offers limited possibilities for engagement. Considering that it is much easier to explore a city online than in the physical world, we cannot rely solely on initial excitement. It is crucial to engage people and ensure the recurring return of visitors.
The primary objective should be to understand why people would repeatedly return to digital experiences and utilize the virtual city more frequently.
This is precisely where Helsinki sets an example. By combining the efforts of valuable partners, leveraging cutting-edge technologies, and involving key players in the travel sector, Helsinki has successfully created authentic and positive experiences within the virtual world. Such endeavors could bring about real shifts in people’s perception and understanding of travel.
Online vs Offline: Will real-world tourism lose ground?
Imagining the profound impact that technology already has on our industry, the first question that comes to mind is: Will travel in the physical world eventually become obsolete?
Attempting to answer this question proves to be quite challenging, and we believe it may not be the right question to ask. As human beings, we have an innate love for firsthand experiences. We witnessed the exponential demand for travel following the period of global mobility deprivation during the pandemic, serving as a recent example.
Nevertheless, with that being said, why can’t we, as an industry, also explore the realm of virtual environments to provide experiences related to travel, history, and tourism? We can collaborate with various stakeholders to offer online experiences in entertainment, shopping, transportation, education, design, and beyond.
We believe in a hybrid future of travel, one where it becomes possible to immerse oneself in a place regardless of location – imagine schools utilizing virtual reality to teach history – while still cherishing and valuing the unique experiences that only physical travel can offer.
Premium Report: The World’s Top 100 Travel Startups
In a time of transformation within the travel sector, we cast our gaze forward to investigate the most auspicious startups influencing the field.
We examined travel startups from all around the world that were founded between 2020 and 2023, and looked into their business model, employee count, social media presence, and website traffic as well as their potential to deliver value to the industry on a global level.
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Let’s head to this week’s curated selection of the top news in innovation, trends, and startups in the travel industry:
Smart solutions for smart hotels. German-startup Betterspace, a hotel management platform provider, has secured a 7-figure investment from Austrian VC Round2 Capital. Based on Ilmenau and known for smart software solutions in guest communication and energy management, Betterspace’s innovative offerings reduce costs and promote sustainability, maximizing revenues and relieving hotel staff. Following the success of their better.energy solution, they plan to expand its application to education, healthcare, and municipalities.
A (brilliant) collection of insights on following trends. Mauricio nailed it with his insightful breakdown on the perils of blindly following trends when launching new ventures. He brought together a diverse group of industry experts to explore the pitfalls of trend-chasing and the absolute importance of thinking outside the box when striving to create an extraordinary company. This Travel Tech Essentialist article is a must-read, especially for those creating ~very disruptive and extremely innovative tech solutions~ for the travel sector.
New addition to Mondee’s business. Mondee’s latest acquisition of Skypass Travel for $15 million marks its fourth acquisition this year, signaling an ambitious expansion into corporate travel. Skypass, known for wholesale travel sales to businesses, joins Mondee’s portfolio, aiming to funnel clients toward Mondee’s platform for corporate and personal bookings. With features like an AI-powered trip assistant, Mondee offers travel agents and customers a seamless experience. The acquisition grants Mondee access to Skypass contracts for discounts on flights, hotels, and cruises, while the company’s stock value and marketing strategies evolve in the competitive travel market.
Personalized stays powered by AI.Sabre has unveiled Lodging AI, integrating its Sabre Travel AI technology into the lodging sector. Using AI and advanced machine learning, the feature enhances customer experiences by delivering personalized content swiftly, resulting in expanded revenue opportunities. Part of Sabre’s Content Services for Lodging, this technology assists travel agencies in generating extra revenue while offering travelers tailored lodging options. The tool analyzes property attributes, customer preferences, and agency insights to provide customized lodging choices for a smoother booking process.
Here is this week’s curated selection of the top news in innovation, trends, and startups that are shaping the travel industry.
Halal travel made easy. The UK-based startup HalalBooking has secured $2.5 million in angel investment for its Series B round. The travel platform offers over 500,000 halal-friendly accommodations across 100+ countries, allowing travelers to filter properties based on specific needs such as halal food and prayer facilities, for example. HalalBooking’s July sales achieved a record-breaking $10 million and, looking ahead, the company plans to achieve $75 million in sales this year and has its sights set on reaching $600 million within the next four to five years.
Instant payouts for hotels. In partnership with global financial platform Stripe, OYO is ready to enhances payment convenience for US customers and hotel owners. The integration offers seamless in-person payments via Stripe Terminal and real-time payouts through Instant Payouts, improving cash flow for OYO hotels. The collaboration also provides secure online payment options with robust fraud protection, reducing processing charges. OYO aims for higher payment success rates, ensuring efficient bookings and check-ins, delivering an enhanced guest experience.
Group bookings for hotels. Emerging from Vienna, the group travel booking platform Tripmakery.com has has secured a significant seven-figure investment in its latest funding round. The platform ddresses the challenges of group hotel bookings through a unique API, simplifying the procedure for travelers organizing trips with over 10 people. With steady user growth and plans for European, North American, and Asian expansion, Tripmakery.com intends to use this investment to boost its growth and establish itself as leading solution for group bookings.
Qantas loyalty revamp. Australian airline Qantas has revamped its Qantas Business Rewards platform for small and midsize companies, partnering with Spotnana to enable seamless booking of flights, hotels, and rental cars. The platform offers travel management features, policy setup, real-time data reporting, and flexible payment options using points or cards. The integration with Spotnana’s travel-as-a-service platform is part of Qantas bet to simplify business travel and reward utilization, positioning itself as a comprehensive travel management solution for its clients.
Connecting guests and gastronomy. Not exactly a travel startup, but interesting for many of those business working in the space between hospitality and travel innovation. German restaurant app Neotaste has secured €5.9 million in its Series A funding round. While subscribers benefit from offers such as ‘two main courses for the price of one’, restaurants can use Neotaste to promote themselves, generate new customers and receive customer reviews. With presence in 13 cities across Germany, the startup plans to expand domestically and internationally, enhancing its offerings.
Let’s dive into this week’s top news covering industry trends, startups, and innovations:
A hospitality game-changer in the Balkans. In the tech world, a revolution can be just a scan away. This is certainly the case for TouchMenu, a startup shaping the digital transformation of the hospitality industry. Recently, the company ensured the acceleration of its international expansion with an investment of €370k. More than the story of a Bulgarian startup making waves on the international scene, this is also a broader narrative about the role of tech in the future of hospitality and travel.
Lessons learned from a founding adventure. Over the past few days, I’ve been immersed in reviewing over 220 applications for the pitch competition, and it’s impossible not to think of the motto “sometimes you win, sometimes you learn” – especially for founders starting new ventures. This feeling strongly connects with a recent post on PhocusWire. Nico Barawid, the founder of Casai shared four valuable lessons from their experience of creating and, eventually, not succeeding with the popular Latin American short-term rental startup. Casai’s closure comes as a reminder of the challenges startups face.
Global Connectivity Solution. Digital SIM marketplace Airalo has secured $60 million in Series B funding. Founded in 2019, Airalo plans to use the investment to launch a new product called Airalo Partners, a connectivity service for businesses and organizations. The co-founders expressed their commitment to providing affordable and accessible connectivity worldwide, while investors anticipate Airalo becoming a travel essential.
3 acquisitions, 3 new opportunities. The Indian EaseMyTrip.com is set to acquire a 51% stake in three prominent travel companies, solidifying its position in the industry and allowing it to offer a diverse range of travel experiences. The acquired companies excel in various areas, including international group tours, travel technology solutions, and integrated travel management. With these acquisitions, EaseMyTrip aims to extend exceptional services to larger markets, igniting wanderlust and delivering memorable adventures to travelers.
When Integrations Boost Bookings.Cloudbeds has announced its seamless integration with Vrbo. Now, lodging businesses can efficiently manage all aspects of their Vrbo listings through Cloudbeds’ platform, providing a smoother user experience. By connecting with Vrbo’s vast base of travelers seeking family-oriented and leisure experiences, Cloudbeds empowers its customers to maximize bookings and expand their reach in different markets.
Powering air travel insights. The global travel industry data provider OAG has acquired Infare to create an end-to-end data platform for air travel intelligence worldwide. The collaboration enhances airline partners’ access to high-quality data and innovative solutions. By combining OAG’s data with Infare’s airfare data, customers gain insights into supply, demand, and revenue growth. This deal is set to strengthen OAG’s ability to deliver accurate information across the travel value chain, fostering innovation and growth for customers.
Cheers to an Unexpected Collaboration. In a nice twist, Korean Air has teamed up with the award-winning Korean brewery to unveil its exclusive craft beer. This unexpected partnership with Playground Brewery brings a unique fusion of tropical fruit aromas and a refreshing taste, promising an enjoyable in-flight drinking experience for passengers. At Korean Air’s lounges and later onboard, “KAL’s Lager” will also be exclusively available at Emart24 convenience stores and its mobile app.
We are honored to have Valentine Camusot from Rail Europe as a keynote speaker at the upcoming FutureTravel Summit!
As a global travel tech company and the ultimate reference brand for European train booking, Rail Europe has been a trusted partner for travel professionals and train operators for more than 90 years. With a robust network of over 15,000 travel professionals, including renowned names like SNCF, Trenitalia, Renfe, and Eurail, Rail Europe’s impact on the industry is truly remarkable.
Valentine Camusot, with her impressive background and trajectory, spearheads Rail Europe’s expansion into new B2B business opportunities. As she targets fresh markets and nurtures client relationships, she sets the stage for Rail Europe’s bright future in the rail travel sector.
Join us at the FutureTravel Summit to gain invaluable insights from Valentine Camusot as she shares how Rail Europe is reshaping rail travel across Europe. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to hear from one of the trailblazers shaping leadership in European rail travel and discover how they are making rail travel the best it can be.
Get your ticket now and save your seat at the event gathering 400 innovators, decision makers and leaders from the travel industry.
We warmly welcome Fabrizio Di Martino, the Marketing & E-commerce Director of citizenM, as one of our 2023 FutureTravel Summit speakers. citizenM, known as the “Hotel that changed Hotels,” has a strong presence in the US, Europe, and Asia. They focus on modern urban travelers, providing vibrant spaces with art and books, where people can work, eat, sleep, and play affordably.
Before joining citizenM’s ecommerce team in 2020, Fabrizio spent considerable time as the Director of digital marketing at InterContinental Hotels Group. Today, at citizenM, Fabrizio currently manages the Marketing and Ecommerce team, primarily focusing on driving revenue, subscriptions, and brand awareness for all markets. At the FutureTravel Summit, he will share insights on loyalty strategy in the travel industry.
Join us at the FutureTravel Summit to learn from Fabrizio Di Martino and other industry leaders who are shaping the future of travel. This event is a great opportunity to connect with travel innovators, startups, investors, and corporates, engaging in discussions and sharing insights from their sectors.
Get your ticket now and be part of the event where over 400 industry decision-makers, leaders, and influencers get together.
Let’s head to this week’s curation of the top news in trends, innovation and startups shaping the travel industry.
The road so far: travel industry insights. Another year, another great “The State of Travel” report from Skift. The 2023 edition reveals a positive outlook for the industry, with travel fully recovering this year. Despite challenges in demand, supply, and the broader economy, the report emphasizes the opportunities for growth and highlights key trends that will shape the future. Backed by real-world data and over 250 graphs, the report offers insights into consumer, business, and investment trends. A very good overview of the current state of our industry.
Sojern’s new AI-Powered toolkit.Sojern has acquired VenueLytics, integrating AI-powered tools such as a virtual concierge and real-time guest feedback. This addition enhances their platform, enabling direct bookings, upselling during the stay, post-stay remarketing, and fostering long-term loyalty. The acquisition also expands to generative AI and a multichannel network, providing hotel teams with advanced capabilities to serve guests better and boost revenue.
Funding milestone for Italian traveltech. Italian travel scaleup BizAway secures €10 million funding round, bolstering its potential for rapid expansion and further innovation. With this new funding, the company aims to fuel the development of cutting-edge technologies, including BizzyFlex, a feature offering flexible booking options, and strengthen its position in the business travel sector. The investment opens doors for exciting growth opportunities as BizAway continues its journey to redefine business travel experiences.
No more ships in this harbor. I’ve been closely following how different cities tackle the challenges posed by mass tourism, and this week Amsterdam caught my attention, as the city is taking a stand to preserve its charm. Amsterdam’s council made a bold move by banning cruise ships from the city center to control visitor numbers and combat pollution, aligning with their sustainability goals. The central cruise terminal near the main train station is now set to close. These steps are part of their ongoing efforts to tackle over-tourism, which have also involved banning cannabis smoking in certain areas and discouraging bachelor parties. Moreover, this decision aims to reduce air pollution, as cruise ships are notorious for emitting high levels of nitrogen oxides. On top of that, Amsterdam is rethinking its nightlife offerings, seeking new spaces like disused tunnels and garages to nurture the creativity of young people who want to organize something special at night.
When B2B SaaS goes right in travel. Swiss startup Nezasa secures €4.2 million in funding to drive global expansion, spur innovation in product offerings, and solidify its position as a B2B SaaS market leader for medium to large travel enterprises. Their platform automates the planning, booking, and management of multi-stage tour itineraries, enabling travel brands to sell itineraries faster and more efficiently with increased flexibility. The successful acquisition of Tripyeah further accelerated their solid growth path and provided a strategic market presence in Latam.
What’s possible for travel and retail? This week, we had the opportunity to explore GHARAGE’s report offering insights into the “Next Era of Travel and Retail.” The report presents a meticulously crafted analysis, identifying key trends, technological advancements, and the most promising future developments that will shape these industries. With a clear focus on empowering business units to stay ahead of the curve, this serves as a compass for potential shifts to come while inspiring change and sparking imagination about the limitless possibilities that lie ahead in the future of travel and retail. For those curious about the future, it’s definitely worth checking out 🙂
We are excited to announce that Iñaki Uriz, Co-founder and CEO of Caravelo, will be joining us as a speaker at the FutureTravel Summit in Barcelona on October 27th, 2023.
Caravelo is known for its travel subscription solutions that help companies increase revenue and market share, improve crisis resilience, and create a better customer experience. The scaleup is transforming the industry, empowering companies to thrive in the dynamic market.
Iñaki has gained significant recognition within the travel industry for his commitment to elevating travel companies’ profitability through the use of new technologies. His tech solutions have earned the trust of prominent names in the travel industry, such as Volaris, Alaska Airlines and Wizz Air, solidifying Caravelo’s reputation.
Join us at the FutureTravel Summit and be inspired as Iñaki Uriz shares insights on how Caravelo revolutionizes loyalty strategies in the travel industry. Are you ready to engage in discussions that will redefine the future of travel together? Don’t miss this opportunity!
We are excited to announce that Sarosh Waghmar, founder and CEO of Spotnana, will join as a keynote speaker at this year’s FutureTravel Summit. With over 20 years of experience successfully building businesses in the travel industry, Sarosh is leading Spotnana in creating the first Travel-as-a-Service Platform. This groundbreaking platform aims to simplify and enhance the travel experience, offer a cost-effective travel solution for corporations, and accelerate innovation for a thriving ecosystem of agency, supplier, and technology provider partners.
During his talk at the FutureTravel Summit, Sarosh will explore the topic of “Reinventing Travel Infrastructure,” emphasizing the importance of modernizing the travel industry’s underlying infrastructure.
Spotnana’s cloud-based travel platform built on microservices and open APIs is designed to accelerate innovation and deliver exceptional experiences to business travelers. It provides travel managers with powerful tools to streamline their processes.
Join us at the FutureTravel Summit for invaluable insights from Sarosh Waghmar and other industry leaders shaping the future of travel. Connect with over 400 travel innovators, service providers, startups, investors, and corporates, shaping the future of the travel industry.
In order to help you cope with the summer heat, here are some refreshing travel industry insights, innovation news and a few cool opportunities:
Eurostar rolls out ‘SmartCheck’, a facial biometric check-in system providing Contactless solution at London St Pancras International. This will potentially make pre-board queuing a thing of the past. The underlying technology has been developed by the UK-based tech company iProov. SmartChek will enable Eurostar passengers to complete ID verification and UK exit checks on their mobile devices from the comfort of their own homes, and then expedite pre-boarding processes at the station by entering via a dedicated facial biometric corridor.
Europe’s biggest startup hubs: Since 2011, our colleagues at EU-Startups are publishing a renowned ranking of Europe’s most active startup cities. After many days of in-depth research focused on startup and funding activities across Europe, they just published their updated TOP 30 ranking of Europe’s biggest startup hubs in 2023!
Air taxi company Lilium avoids delisting with a $192 million in fresh funding. The investment in the German company, which listed on the Nasdaq in 2021 via a merger with Qell Acquisition Corp, has come via the sale of shares publicly reaping $42 million, $75 million from venture capital and $75 million from Tencent affiliate Aceville.
Tripadvisor is integrating OpenAI technology into its Trips travel-planning product. Now in public beta testing, Trips is using the generative AI technology to create personalized travel itineraries. Tripadvisor said its itinerary generator leans on the more than 1 billion reviews on its site, leveraging the insights of travelers when making recommendations.
Travel tickets reselling platform Fairyline, has raised just $3 million in seed funding. The France-based startup, which is integrated into the tech platforms of client travel companies, allows consumers to resell otherwise non-refundable tickets. While operators in industries like sports and entertainment have been able to offer resale services, travel companies have struggled with this so far because of a lack of technology.