FutureTravel Summit Speaker: Matt Welle, CEO of Mews

We’re excited to welcome Matt Welle, CEO of Mews, to the FutureTravel Summit 2025.

Matt leads Mews, the hospitality cloud platform now used by over 12,500 properties in 85 countries. A recognised unicorn in the hospitality tech space, Mews provides hotels and accommodation providers with the tools to automate operations, personalise guest experiences, and connect seamlessly with the broader travel ecosystem.

Matt spent more than a decade at Hilton, when he realised the hotel management system he needed didn’t exist yet. And so he joined the Mews journey at its beginning in 2012. Since then, he has guided the company through rapid international growth, strategic acquisitions, and several funding rounds, building a team of over 1,250 employees across Europe, the United States, and Australia.

At the FutureTravel Summit, Matt will join a fireside chat exploring how hospitality can keep its human core as technology takes center stage. He’ll bring insights from the journey building one of the world’s most influential hospitality tech platforms and share his vision for what running a hotel will mean in the decade ahead. Expect a conversation on AI, partnerships, company culture (from remote work to leadership) and the choices that will shape how technology and human connection define the guest experience. Join us in Barcelona on October 30 to hear it live!

FutureTravel Summit Speaker: Alexander Limpert, CEO of GuestReady

We’re excited to welcome Alexander Limpert, Co-Founder and CEO of GuestReady, to the FutureTravel Summit 2025.

Alexander leads GuestReady, a global property management platform that turns short-term rentals into seamless experiences for both guests and property owners. Since launching in 2016, the company has raised over $20 million, built a team of more than 350 people, and expanded to over 40 cities in 7 countries, welcoming more than 2 million guests and generating over $200 million in revenue for property owners.

In addition to GuestReady, Alexander has driven the growth of RentalReady, an AI-native property management software solution that supports hundreds of property managers worldwide with tools for automation, transparency, and efficiency.

At the FutureTravel Summit, Alexander will join a conversation on the real choices travel and hospitality founders face when scaling across markets; from knowing when to grow (and when to wait) to deciding what’s worth building in-house versus partnering or acquiring. Expect some good insights on the decisions that shaped GuestReady’s journey, and the lessons other founders can take with them. Join us in Barcelona on October 30 to hear it live!

FutureTravel Summit Speaker: Francesco Ciuccarelli, CIO & CTO at Alpitour World

We’re pleased to welcome Francesco Ciuccarelli, Chief Information Officer and Chief Technology Officer at Alpitour World, to the FutureTravel Summit 2025.

As CIO and CTO of Italy’s leading integrated travel group, Francesco is responsible for driving the digital evolution of Alpitour World’s entire ecosystem, from tour operating and aviation to hotels and distribution.

With over 75 years of history, Alpitour World serves millions of travelers each year and plays a key role in connecting Italian tourism to international markets. Francesco leads the Group’s investments in AI, automation, and enterprise tech – focusing on scalable infrastructure and smarter operations across the value chain.

His work bridges legacy systems and emerging technologies, aligning complex organizational needs with a long-term innovation roadmap. Before joining Alpitour World, Francesco held senior tech leadership roles and co-founded companies in both B2B marketplaces and logistics software, giving him a dual perspective as both operator and builder.

At the FutureTravel Summit, Francesco will join a panel on corporate-startup collaboration, where he’ll share candid insights on what large organizations need from startups, and what it takes internally to turn a pilot into a real partnership. Join us in Barcelona on October 30 to hear it live!

FutureTravel Summit Speaker: Marili ’t Hooft-Bolle, CEO of Trengo

We’re excited to welcome Marili ’t Hooft-Bolle, CEO of Trengo, to the FutureTravel Summit 2025.

Marili is a recognised leader in customer engagement innovation, heading the fast-growing, AI-powered communication platform that helps customer service teams thrive. With a career spanning more than 20 years in tech leadership roles, she has scaled companies through Series A, B, and C funding rounds – always with a focus on combining efficient operations with the human side of service.

At Trengo, Marili is driving a vision where AI and automation strengthen, rather than replace, human connection. She champions strategies that turn customer experience into a measurable driver of business results, from improving operational efficiency to unlocking upsell opportunities. All while protecting the trust and personal touch that keep customers coming back.

At the FutureTravel Summit, Marili will join a panel focused on AI, automation, and the future of customer service in travel, exploring how brands can use technology to deliver faster, more personalised service without losing sight of personal relationships and what makes experiences truly memorable. Join us in Barcelona on October 30 to hear it live!

FutureTravel Summit Speaker: Oz Har Adir, Founder & CEO of Vio.com

We’re excited to welcome Oz Har Adir, Founder and CEO of Vio.com, to the FutureTravel Summit 2025.

Oz leads Vio.com, a European hotel booking platform focused on one thing: helping travelers get more value for their money. With a growing footprint and loyal user base, Vio.com uses advanced deal-sourcing, price comparison, and smart booking logic to help people book like insiders, not tourists.

Under Oz’s leadership, Vio.com has quietly scaled into one of the most agile players in hotel distribution. The company’s product-driven approach and strong tech DNA have allowed it to thrive in a competitive and often margin-thin segment, while staying focused on what matters most: helping users get the best possible experience (and deal).

At the FutureTravel Summit, Oz will join a panel conversation on scaling travel companies across markets, sharing the behind-the-scenes decisions that shaped Vio.com’s growth journey, from prioritizing product speed to knowing when to say no. Join us in Barcelona on October 30 to hear it live!

FutureTravel Summit Speaker: Noam Toister, Founder & CEO of Travelier

We’re excited to welcome Noam Toister, Co-Founder and CEO of Travelier, to the FutureTravel Summit 2025.

Noam founded Travelier in 2017 after a frustrating travel experience on his honeymoon, and has since built it into one of the most ambitious companies tackling land and sea transportation. With a focus on simplifying and digitizing the $198B ground and maritime travel market, Travelier is now active in over 100 countries, helping travelers move across borders and regions with less friction.

A serial entrepreneur with a background in location-based advertising, Noam brings a sharp product and growth mindset to one of travel’s most fragmented sectors. His leadership has helped Travelier expand its reach through smart product design, strategic partnerships, and targeted acquisitions, all while staying focused on the traveler experience.

At the FutureTravel Summit, Noam will join a conversation exploring what it really takes to scale a travel company across markets, from knowing when to grow (and when not to), to choosing the right mix of in-house operations, partnerships, and M&A. Expect real talk on the decisions that shaped Travelier’s journey, and lessons other founders and operators can take with them. Join us in Barcelona on October 30 to hear it live!

These are the 10 finalists of the 2025 FutureTravel Pitch Competition

The FutureTravel Summit is back to Barcelona on October 30th, and this year we’ll be gathering at the beautiful Antigua Fábrica Estrella Damm – a former brewery turned into one of the city’s most vibrant cultural venues.

On top of the speaker sessions, there’s one moment that always brings the energy: our startup pitch competition. 10 early-stage travel startups take the stage. And that’s their shot to impress the jury and take home a prize package worth €350K.

The Prize Package

The winning startup team will receive a prize package with a value of €350K in credits. The prize package items include the following:

  • Up to €310,000 in Google Cloud credits, including one year of free Google Workspace for new signups in the Startup Program, dedicated support from Google’s Startup Success team, and direct technical guidance from Google engineers.
  • 90% discount on HubSpot‘s AI-powered and connected CRM (prize valued at 17.000 USD) with tools to scale sales, marketing, and customer operations.
  • €9,900 worth of simpleshow credits to produce high-quality, AI-powered explainer videos.
  • 6 months free on Notion’s Business Plan with unlimited AI features (up to €10,000 in value), plus access to the Notion Perks program and the Champions Community.
  • €5,000 in JetBrains licenses for top-tier development tools like IntelliJ IDEA, PyCharm, and JetBrains AI.
  • A complimentary exhibition booth at the 2026 FutureTravel Summit (valued at €2,000), including 3 event tickets.
  • Plus: media visibility, including a spotlight in the FutureTravel newsletter and coverage in EU-Startups.com.

The Jury

Our 10 finalists will pitch in front of a world-class jury composed of leading venture capital experts, including: Bobby Demri (ROCH Ventures), Elena Ruiz Requena (Amadeus Ventures), Jose Gaytan de Ayala (Kinnevik) and Virginia Bassano (Eight Roads). Additional VCs, business angels, and startup accelerators will also be in the audience, making this a unique chance for high-impact exposure and feedback.

The Finalists

Now, time to reveal the 10 outstanding finalists of this year’s edition:

  • ALOE: Founded in 2023, ALOE is the experience layer for hospitality, a plug-and-play platform where hotels can sell their own services and offer curated experiences from local providers through an integrated marketplace. The Italian startup allows guests to book everything in one place, while hotels earn a commission on every sale.  It simplifies the booking, management, and payment processing of external experiences, helping hotels unlock new revenue streams.
  • ALTEK AI: Headquartered in Norway, Altek AI helps hotels automate customer service. Its AI platform connects directly to hotel systems such as the PMS and booking engine, allowing the assistant to answer questions, make bookings, and upsell in real time. Their solution is designed to improve the guest experience, reduce staff workload, and increase revenue.
  • Controlá: Founded in 2023, Controlá installs plug-and-play smart devices to automate energy management in vacation rentals, offices, and coworking spaces. Their system detects presence and environmental conditions to automatically control air conditioning, lighting, and water heating, reducing energy consumption without compromising user comfort. Based in Spain, they promote sustainability adapted to your needs.
  • Cora: Set up in 2023 in Italy, Cora develops an operations management platform powered by AI and designed for every type of accommodation that seamlessly allows the control of any hospitality facility. It streamlines tasks like housekeeping, maintenance, and internal communication through a cloud-based dashboard and mobile app. The platform helps improve staff productivity, reduce costs, and ensure consistent service quality.
  • Cumbaya: Founded in 2024, this Belgian startup offers an AI-powered platform that simplifies trip planning, booking, and management. Users can instantly generate personalised itineraries based on their interests, needs, and budget. The app also provides real-time recommendations and dynamic tools to adjust plans on the go, streamlining the entire travel experience.
  • HostyAI: Straddling Portugal and Australia and founded in 2024, HostyAI offers a SaaS platform that helps short-term rental hosts and property managers automate guest communication. Their AI-powered assistant handles inquiries, sends personalised messages, and supports guests 24/7 across platforms like Airbnb, WhatsApp, and email. By integrating with reservation systems, it adapts responses based on booking details, house rules, and local regulations.
  • ReLUGG: Based in Germany, ReLUGG is an instant luggage compensation platform. It partners with airlines to instantly compensate passengers affected by delayed luggage and to provide luggage essentials, all within 30 minutes of arrival. It charges airlines per passenger served, with no upfront costs or long-term contracts. The solution integrates seamlessly with airline operations and passenger communications, enabling real-time eligibility checks, service activation, and reporting to minimise airline effort and maximise passenger satisfaction.
  • Via.ai: Based in the UK, Via.ai operates at the intersection of AI technology and customer engagement. Founded in 2023, the startup enables brands to integrate a branded, conversational assistant into their existing apps or websites, offering users real-time, personalised travel and lifestyle recommendations. These intelligent agents are available 24/7, continuously learning from interactions and are designed to turn everyday engagement into meaningful, loyalty-building experiences.
  • Voyla: Founded in 2024, this Hong Kong-based startup addresses a major pain point for Gen Z travellers who save hundreds of posts on social media and platforms like Google Maps, but never organise them. Voyla is building a personal AI agent that captures and learns users’ travel preferences from scattered social media saves. The AI agent analyses shared posts to understand each user’s unique travel vibe, then automatically organises and recommends personalised destinations that match their interests.
  • Yaay: Headquartered in Denmark and founded in 2024, Yaay is an AI- and creator-powered travel app that transforms users’ favourite TikTok and Instagram travel videos into bookable trips. Users can save destinations, hotels, experiences, or restaurants to Yaay, organise them in visual moodboards, and let the AI find a way to book it all. Alternatively, they can discover shoppable videos from trusted travel creators and the wider community directly on the platform.

Startups are not just “nice to have” in travel anymore. They’re reshaping how the whole system works. Come see 10 of the most ambitious teams take the stage with what they’re building next. Get your ticket!

FutureTravel Summit Speaker: Jeff Kim, CEO of Yanolja Cloud & Group CSO 

We’re excited to welcome Jeff Kim, CEO of Yanolja Cloud and Chief Strategy Officer of Yanolja Group, to the FutureTravel Summit on October 30.

Since joining Yanolja in 2015, Jeff has played a central role in its transformation into a global travel tech company – one that’s quietly redefining how infrastructure in hospitality, leisure, and mobility is built and scaled. Yanolja connects with more than 1.33 million hotels and travel enterprises across 206 countries worldwide, and partners with over 21,000 travel sales channels, including booking platforms and travel agencies as well as tour operators and bedbanks.

Jeff’s background at McKinsey, Google, and 3M gave him the strategic edge to navigate rapid growth, complex acquisitions, and product expansion across regions. But what makes his leadership stand out is the long-term vision: instead of chasing visibility, Yanolja has focused on building tools that work behind the scenes—moving the industry forward by upgrading its foundations.

Earlier this year, Jeff also shared his perspective in a guest post on FutureTravel, reflecting on 20 years of Yanolja and what the next phase of travel tech could look like. You can read it here.

At the FutureTravel Summit, he’ll join us on stage to talk about that future: what it means to lead through deep tech shifts, how to scale in a fragmented global market, and where he sees the next wave of innovation emerging. Join us in Barcelona on October 30 to hear it live!

Zara just showed up for travelers

Zara quietly launched Travel Mode: curated city guides plus a “ship-to-hotel” checkout option for travelers. It’s already live in Italy, the UK, and Japan, with Spain, France, and Turkey next. And right in time for peak season.

Zara. Yes, the Spanish fashion giant. The retail machine operating in more than 90 countries. Not exactly who we’d expect to set the bar on traveler experience. But yes… that’s what they’re doing.

To be clear: this goes way beyond a clever brand campaign. Zara is moving into the travel spending window. The moment when people are in a new city, ready to spend, and looking for things that make them feel good now. And it solves a clear use case: limited luggage, urgent need, high purchase intent. Delivering (literally) to where the traveler is.

This didn’t require Zara to build anything new. They didn’t build a booking engine. They didn’t expand inventory. They didn’t strike hotel partnerships. They just repacked their existing stack (logistics, product, customer data) around a different moment in the customer journey. No CAPEX. No new teams. Just sharp execution and a clear read on behavior.

Look sideways. Lifestyle brands are ready absorbing parts of the experience that travel companies have left exposed. If you’re still thinking in terms of bookings and beds, you’re already behind. Time to zoom out.

Yes, there’s a conversation to be had about fast fashion and overconsumption. But for now, let’s acknowledge the ones mastering execution.

For more stories like this, subscribe to the FutureTravel newsletter. Weekly insights on travel, tech, and the people shaping what’s next. It’s free

20 Years of Travel Tech and What Comes Next

written by Jeff Kim

20 years ago, Sujin Lee worked as a janitor at a motel in South Korea. It was through this experience, witnessing firsthand the inefficiencies in the travel and hospitality industry, that he was inspired to create something different. With a vision for change and just two desks and two computers in a friend’s apartment, Sujin founded Yanolja. What started from these modest beginnings has now grown into one of the world’s leading travel tech platforms.

As we mark Yanolja’s 20th anniversary, I’ve been reflecting on how much the travel industry has changed, and what we’ve learned along the way. From the earliest days of online booking to the AI-powered solutions we’re developing now, one thing has remained constant: the belief that technology can make travel more seamless, more accessible, and more human.

Back in 2005, booking travel often meant brochures, phone calls, and hoping your agent got it right. The rise of online travel agencies gave us control and comparison. But now, with tools like OpenAI’s Operator, we’re entering a new chapter: AI that assists users by performing tasks such as browsing the web, inputting, clicking, and managing travel bookings. All autonomously.

Operator is part of our broader strategy to harness generative AI to deliver hyper-personalized travel experiences. With this collaboration, we aim to enhance our AI services and streamline operations throughout every stage of the travel journey, enhancing both customer satisfaction and loyalty. It’s a natural evolution for us, as we’ve always believed that technology should take care of the heavy lifting, so people can take care of people.

For travelers, it means fewer headaches. For businesses, smarter operations. And for us, it’s a return to something foundational. Yanolja was born out of real challenges in the field, not a corporate boardroom. That perspective still drives our work today.

Airports, too, have transformed. What used to be long lines and endless queues has given way to self-service kiosks, mobile check-ins, and biometric screening. With programs like Clear or the TSA’s facial recognition rollout, travelers are moving faster and more confidently through each step of the journey. It’s a sign of how much we now trust technology to move us: physically, logistically, and emotionally.

The in-flight experience has evolved in kind. From shared screens to personal streaming, connectivity has become standard. And with partnerships bringing curated content and elevated dining to the skies, airlines are reimagining what it means to travel well. Still, as we add more layers of tech, we need to ask: are we keeping the spontaneity that makes travel special?

The same question applies to where we stay. Yanolja has always believed in equipping hotels with smarter solutions, not just glossier apps. From AI concierge services built with Google’s Gemini to dynamic pricing and real-time content updates, we’re helping hospitality teams do more with less, without losing the warmth that defines good service. Technology should take care of the heavy lifting, so people can take care of people.

And so, the big question: what’s next?

As robotics, AI, and automation reshape every part of the journey, the question isn’t whether change will come, but whether we’ll guide it with purpose. Travel tech can do more than remove friction. It can open doors for small businesses. Help travelers feel seen and supported. Make the journey as thoughtful as the destination.

That’s the legacy we’re building on. That’s the future we’re working toward.

Because travel is never just about where we go. It’s about how we feel (and who we become) along the way.

Pitch Competition Applications Now Open for the FutureTravel Summit 2025

We’re officially opening the call for startups: the FutureTravel Summit Pitch Competition is back.

On October 30th, Barcelona will once again host the FutureTravel Summit: a global gathering of over 450 travel innovators, startup founders, corporate executives, and investors. Set in one of Europe’s most iconic travel hubs, the summit brings together forward-thinking minds shaping what’s next in travel and hospitality.

The Pitch Competition is always a highlight of the event. It’s a launchpad for early-stage travel startups looking to gain traction, visibility, and strategic connections.

The Criteria

This year’s competition will see 10 early-stage startups that are:

  • Travel & hospitality startups
  • At pre-seed or seed stage
  • Founded within the last 3 years

If that sounds like you, apply through our application form. Applications close on June 29th.

APPLY NOW

The Prize Package

Selected startups will pitch live in front of a top-tier jury of investors and industry leaders. The winning startup will walk away with a prize package worth over €355,000.

That includes:

  • Up to €310,000 in Google Cloud credits, including one year of free Google Workspace for new signups in the Startup Program, dedicated support from Google’s Startup Success team, and direct technical guidance from Google engineers.
  • 90% discount on HubSpot‘s AI-powered and connected CRM (prize valued at 17.000 USD) with tools to scale sales, marketing, and customer operations.
  • €9,900 worth of simpleshow credits to produce high-quality, AI-powered explainer videos.
  • 6 months free on Notion’s Business Plan with unlimited AI features (up to €10,000 in value), plus access to the Notion Perks program and the Champions Community.
  • €5,000 in JetBrains licenses for top-tier development tools like IntelliJ IDEA, PyCharm, and JetBrains AI.
  • A complimentary exhibition booth at the 2026 FutureTravel Summit (valued at €2,000), including 3 event tickets.
  • Plus: media visibility, including a spotlight in the FutureTravel newsletter and coverage in EU-Startups.com.

The jury

Startups will pitch in front of a jury that includes:

The jury’s questions and insights helped past participants shape their strategies, connect with investors, and grow their businesses beyond the stage.

More than a pitch

The FutureTravel Summit goes beyond the pitches, it’s a space for meaningful connections within the industry. Join us to meet the people building the future of travel, spark collaborations, and learn from the minds moving the industry forward.

Apply now for your chance to pitch and be part of one of Europe’s most dynamic event focusing on travel innovation.

Designed for tourists, showing up for locals

What happens when a travel platform partners with the people most affected by tourism?

Barcelona’s Las Ramblas needs no introduction. For years, it has symbolized both the success and the strain of European tourism. A postcard-perfect promenade that became overcrowded, overpriced, loud, and, for many locals, unlivable.

So when GetYourGuide, one of the world’s largest online tour platforms, partnered with the Associació de Veïns de les Rambles (a neighborhood association that has long pushed back against the excesses of tourism), in 2022, it raised eyebrows. Could a booking platform built on selling more experiences work hand-in-hand with local residents who want fewer tourists?

As it turns out: yes, if they’re aligned on how tourism should evolve.

The future of travel isn’t about volume – it’s about value. And value is created when tourism enriches rather than extracts from the places people visit.

Toni Bennasar, GetYourGuide’s General Manager in Spain

Together, they launched a long-term initiative to support the urban revitalization of La Rambla by rethinking what tourism contributes to the street, the neighborhood, and the people who live there. In 2024, seven antennas were quietly installed along the 1.2-kilometer stretch of La Rambla to better understand footfall patterns: who comes, when, and how they move. Adding another layer of insight to inform more balanced, community-aware decisions.

The collaboration blends urban development research, cultural programming, and local engagement to bring the community back to the center of the tourism equation.

It’s an ecosystem of actions, rather than a one-off marketing campaign. Some actions are small, some symbolic, some systemic.

– There’s Tast a la Rambla, an annual food festival that turns the boulevard into a showcase for local chefs and products, not tourist traps.

– There’s a poster series, co-created with local artists in partnership with Elisava and Massana, 2 of Barcelona’s long-standing design schools. Each piece challenges the idea of what a souvenir is, and who it’s for.

– And there are free cultural experiences for residents, like walking tours and open access for residents to ride Las Golondrinas or visit the Wax Museum. Because a living city is one where locals feel welcome, too.

The initiative focuses on redistribution – of attention, of spending, of visibility. Instead of asking tourists to avoid La Rambla entirely, it invites them to see it differently: to notice the stories behind the storefronts, to explore nearby streets that rarely make it into travel guides, to support businesses that reinvest in the neighborhood.

Our responsibility extends beyond just connecting travelers with experiences – it’s about cultural preservation and ensuring that La Rambla remains authentic for generations to come. We believe in responsible tourism, which leaves a place better than it found it.

Toni Bennasar, GetYourGuide’s General Manager in Spain

There’s no app. No loyalty scheme. No over-engineered tech layer. Just good, honest work between a local association that’s been advocating for La Rambla for decades, a city government under pressure to restore livability, and a travel company willing to use its platform to promote more thoughtful travel.

It’s meaningful because it asks a deeper question:

Can travel businesses become stewards of place, not just sellers of access?

In this case, the answer is yes, when they stop thinking of “locals” as marketing props and start engaging them as partners. Amics de la Rambla brought history, trust, and grassroots perspective. GetYourGuide brought visibility and global reach. The city helped clear a path. Together, they created something rare: a public-private-civic collaboration where incentives were aligned not around growth, but around balance. That’s a small but vital shift.

Why it matters:

  • It shows that platforms can rethink their role, not just as intermediaries, but as curators with responsibility.
  • It centers local voices in tourism product design, in a co-creation process.
  • It offers a replicable approach for destinations under pressure: pairing scale with intimacy.

There’s no miracle fix for overtourism, but this is a model worth watching. It reminds us that even the biggest travel companies can choose to participate in more equitable, community-rooted tourism. If they’re willing to share power.

That’s exactly the tourism we want.

10 Female Founded Startups to Watch

A sparkle of innovation usually starts with someone asking, What if we did this differently? These 10 female founders and co-founders are doing exactly that.

At FutureTravel, we focus on what’s next: the ideas, businesses, and people shaping the industry’s direction. For International Women’s Day, we’re give the spotlight to women whose work deserves attention. They’re solving big, complex problems or refining how we book, move, and experience travel.

We’re using a few emojis to make this list easy to scan:

  • 🚀 represents the company name and it’s clickable, taking you directly to their website.
  • 👩‍🚀 highlights the female founder (or co-founder) and their name is also clickable, linking to their LinkedIn profile.
  • 📍 shows where the company is based.

This way, you can explore their work, connect with them, and see how they’re shaping the future of travel.

These founders are already contributing to the future of travel. Here are the names you should know.

🚀 Byway
👩‍🚀 Cat Jones
📍 United Kingdom

Byway creates personalized, flight-free holidays across the UK and Europe, helping travelers explore by train, ferry, bus, and bike. Focused on slow travel, their trips prioritize scenic routes, unique stays, and local experiences over speed. Byway’s approach makes sustainable travel easy and enjoyable, steering clear of crowded hotspots while offering seamless, well-planned journeys.

🚀 Daytrip
👩‍🚀👩‍🚀 Valeriia Pshenychna + Marketa Blahova
📍Czech Republic / United Kingdom

Daytrip connects travelers with local, English-speaking drivers for private, door-to-door rides between cities. Instead of just getting from A to B, travelers can stop at interesting places along the way, turning the journey into part of the experience. Operating in over 130 countries, Daytrip makes intercity travel more comfortable and insightful, offering a local’s perspective while ensuring a smooth and safe ride.

🚀 GetYourVisa
👩‍🚀 Carlyn Gabon
📍Germany / Philippines

GetYourVisa simplifies the visa application process, helping travelers secure tourist and business visas for destinations like the U.S., Australia, and Germany. With an easy-to-use web app, applicants can apply, track progress, and improve approval chances in one place. Whether for individuals or companies, GetYourVisa makes navigating visa requirements less stressful, so travel plans aren’t held back by paperwork.

🚀 Holafly
👩‍🚀 Yingyan Hu
📍Ireland

Holafly provides eSIMs that let travelers stay connected in over 220 destinations without needing a physical SIM card or worrying about roaming fees. Their digital SIMs offer instant activation and unlimited data, making it easy to stay online while traveling. Designed for individuals, businesses, and travel agencies, Holafly’s eSIMs are also an eco-friendly alternative, reducing plastic waste while ensuring hassle-free connectivity.

🚀 Kindred
👩‍🚀 Justine Palefsky
📍United States

Kindred is a members-only home-swapping network that lets travelers stay in each other’s homes for free, aside from small service fees. Members earn credits by hosting others, which they can use to book stays in other Kindred homes. Designed for renters and homeowners across North America and Europe, Kindred focuses on trust, community, and affordability—making travel more accessible without the cost of traditional accommodations.

🚀 Landfolk
👩‍🚀👩‍🚀 Camila Swartz + Cathrine K. Reimann
📍Denmark

Landfolk is a holiday home marketplace offering handpicked vacation rentals in nature-rich locations across Europe. Founded by former Airbnb employees, the platform focuses on high-quality, scenic stays away from busy cities. Each home is chosen for its unique charm, great hosts, and immersive surroundings. With direct host contact and all-inclusive pricing, Landfolk makes it easy for travelers to enjoy a peaceful escape in Denmark, Norway, Germany, Sweden, and beyond.

🚀 Love to visit
👩‍🚀👩‍🚀 Alice Aubrey + Georgia Aubrey
📍United Kingdom

Lovetovisit makes it quick and easy to discover and book attractions, events, and experiences across the UK. Founded by twin sisters Georgia and Alice Aubrey, along with tourism expert Fed Pereira, the platform cuts booking times from 18 minutes to under one. With AI-driven recommendations, interactive maps, and exclusive experiences, Lovetovisit helps travelers and locals explore beyond the usual tourist spots, connecting them with unique things to do across the country.

🚀 NaviSavi
👩‍🚀 Sally Bunnell
📍United States

NaviSavi is a video-based travel platform where users can discover, plan, and book trips through short, unedited clips from real travelers. Instead of relying on polished marketing photos, travelers see authentic experiences before they book. Users can also upload videos and earn rewards. Covering over 1,000 destinations in 180+ countries, NaviSavi helps travelers explore with confidence while offering travel brands a library of real user-generated content.

🚀 The Trip Boutique
👩‍🚀 Fernanda Barrence Mutz
📍Switzerland

The Trip Boutique combines AI and human expertise to create personalized travel itineraries tailored to individual interests and lifestyles. Since its founding, the company has evolved alongside technology, refining its approach to smarter, more customized trip planning. Travel brands can also integrate its AI-powered recommendations into their platforms, offering travelers seamless, data-driven suggestions for hotels, restaurants, and experiences.

🚀 wmnsWORK
👩‍🚀 Iris Serbanescu
📍Canada

wmnsWORK is the first global business accelerator designed for women and non-binary entrepreneurs in tourism. While not a travel startup itself, it plays a key role in shaping the industry by supporting early-stage founders through expert-led workshops, mentorship, and community. Focused on tourism businesses like hotels and tour operators, wmnsWORK is tackling the industry’s gender gap and equipping more women to lead and innovate in travel.

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Top 100 Women Leaders & Innovators in Travel

Every day, women are making travel better. They lead teams, design strategies, and shape innovation forward. Their work deserves to be seen and celebrated.

This list brings together the Top 100 Women Leaders & Innovators in Travel making an impact around the world. It’s not about titles or awards, just the people doing great work in the industry.

Check it out and share it <3

Let’s make sure their work gets seen.

Sign up Form – Top 100 Women Download (#8)

5 ways to keep travel costs in check

Managing corporate travel isn’t just about getting from point A to B – it’s about balancing cost efficiency, policy compliance, and traveler satisfaction, all while keeping up with an industry that’s rapidly evolving. Travel budgets are under a microscope, and companies need to make every dollar count. The right tools help manage costs, keep things running smoothly, and improve the travel experience.

1. Saving money in a changing market

Corporate travel budgets are constantly being squeezed, but airfares and hotel rates fluctuate unpredictably. Traditional booking methods often fail to capture the best prices at the right time. Real-time air and hotel re-shopping, like what Emburse offers, ensures companies don’t overspend unnecessarily. By continuously monitoring price changes, organizations can automatically rebook when better rates become available. And without needing manual intervention.

This level of automation means companies can maximize budgets without compromising on quality or traveler convenience. As business travel costs continue to rise, this kind of proactive cost management is becoming a game-changer.

2. Travel policies without the hassle

One of the biggest pain points in corporate travel is ensuring policy compliance without making travelers feel restricted. If booking tools are too rigid, employees will find ways around them, often choosing non-compliant options that make expense tracking and reporting a nightmare for finance teams.

Modern travel management solutions, like Emburse, embed corporate policies directly into the booking experience, subtly guiding travelers toward approved options rather than forcing them into strict rules. This approach reduces policy violations while still allowing employees enough flexibility to book travel in ways that make sense for them.

It cuts down on friction, keeps bookings in one place, and helps everyone follow the travel policy.

3. Keeping travelers safe and informed

From geopolitical instability to extreme weather events, travel risk management is a top priority. Companies need real-time visibility into where their employees are at any given moment, ensuring they can respond swiftly in case of emergencies.

By leveraging real-time tracking and instant alerts, businesses can ensure employees stay informed and supported, no matter where they are. This helps reduce travel disruptions and makes it easier for organizations to meet their duty of care responsibilities.

4. Using data to cut travel costs

Tracking spending, analyzing trends, and negotiating better contracts are crucial to building a successful corporate travel program. Yet many companies still rely on outdated systems that provide little (or none) real-time insights.

Emburse delivers robust analytics that offer a clear view of travel spend patterns, supplier performance, and cost-saving opportunities. Travel managers can use this data to make strategic adjustments, optimize partnerships with airlines and hotels, and forecast future spending with greater accuracy. Data-driven decisions require real-time expense tracking – it’s how you stay ahead.

5. Less admin, more impact

Corporate travel should be simple, not just cost-effective. Outdated workflows and manual expense reports make everything harder than it needs to be.

By automating routine tasks like expense reconciliation and approval workflows, travel managers can shift their focus from administrative tasks to more strategic priorities – like optimizing travel policies, negotiating better rates, and improving the traveler experience. The best travel programs don’t just reduce friction, they remove it entirely.

Thanks to Emburse, we’ve managed to reduce our expenses by 20% and reimburse travelers 70% faster.

Albert Kupfer, EMEA OKI Europe

Corporate travel should be easy to manage, but balancing costs, flexibility, and efficiency isn’t always simple. Companies want to save money, employees need seamless booking, and travel managers rely on automation to keep things running smoothly.

Emburse brings it all together in one place, making travel management easier for everyone.

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