Report: Top Branded Cities

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Let’s dive into our curation of the latest in travel, hospitality, and a newly generated report:

  • The world’s top city brands: It is becoming increasingly difficult for destinations to distinguish themselves. Saffron and astara have just published the findings of the 2023 City Brand Barometer, a yearly study that assesses and analyzes city tourism and business branding. The goal is to unpack how cities use their brand to effectively stand out on a global level. In this report, readers will discover the cities that have ranked the highest this year, learn how place brands create lasting impressions, and explore how factors like mobility contribute to building an appealing city brand experience.
  • After you built Airbnb, what comes next? Have you been wondering what Joe Gebbia has been up to since leaving Airbnb? Well, it seems like he has been busy fundraising for his new startup, Samara. The company, which focuses on the creation of “tiny homes,” has recently received $41 million in Series A funding. These small houses are designed to be built quickly and serve as additional rooms or rental properties. Now operating as an independent entity, Samara aims to simplify and accelerate housing construction. With plans to expand its presence, the company will begin scaling its offerings, starting in California.
  • Asian travelers in European trains. Rail Europe has partnered with KKday, a Taiwan-based travel experiences platform, to boost travel from Asia to Europe and promote sustainable railway travel. This partnership empowers KKday users with access to more than 150 railway brands and routes across 33 European countries. The two companies plan to work together on marketing campaigns and share supplier resources in Europe. This partnership matches the increasing emphasis on environmental concerns and sustainable tourism. KKday offers over 300,000 experiences in 92 countries and has obtained $95 million in funding during its Series C+ round
  • Ready to combine shopping with trip planning? Intelligent shopping mall partner Interlnkd has secured £1 million in seed funding. The funding will be used to enhance product capabilities and expand into new regional markets. Interlnkd’s white-label technology allows travel sellers to earn additional revenue by meeting the needs of travelers. Interlnkd’s recent partnerships with travel brands like Thomas Cook and HolidayPirates have boosted the company’s profile and the funding marks a pivotal moment, empowering its mission to reshape the world of travel shopping.
  • Short-term rentals, but without risks. UK-based Superhog, an all-in-one risk management platform for property managers and hosts, has raised $6.7 million in a funding round. The funding will be used to enhance its tech for assessing risks, expand its operations worldwide (especially in the US), and increase its number of employees. With a client base of over 800 property management companies worldwide, Superhog has impressed investors with its growth and talented team.
  • Singapore-based YouTrip has raised $50 million in a funding round. The fintech company offers a special wallet and debit card that allows people to make payments in over 150 different currencies while eliminating foreign transaction fees and “hidden charges” in collaboration with local currency exchange providers. YouTrip plans to use the funds for regional expansion, starting with Malaysia, and intends to broaden its services for businesses, as well as hire 100 employees over the next two years.
  • Kasikorn Bank Group has invested $25 million in Traveligo, a Thai domestic online travel agency (OTA) that will be rebranded as Gother. This investment aims to support the expansion of Traveligo’s services to allow Thai travelers to purchase travel for destinations outside Thailand. The rebranded company will partner with TakeMeTour, an online marketplace for tours and activities in Thailand, with potential future merger plans. The investment comes amid Thailand’s tourism recovery, targeting markets like Korea, Japan, and Singapore.

Business Accommodations just got Easier

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I want to highlight three news stories that stood out to me this week:

  • Long-stays, but make it corporate. Corporate housing provider Apartool has successfully raised €5.5 million in a funding round. The funds will be used to improve their technology and expand internationally, focusing on Italy, Germany, and the UK. Apartool wants to change the way corporate travel is done by providing an easy booking process and unique experiences. Their platform makes it simpler for big companies and travel agencies to find long-stay corporate housing. Founded in Barcelona in 2015, Apartool has seen impressive growth and aims to become a leader in Europe and the Middle East by 2025.
  • Integrating experiences into vacation rentals. HomeToGo has teamed up with GetYourGuide to make it easier for travelers to plan their trips. Now, users of HomeToGo’s vacation rental platform can directly access GetYourGuide’s tours, attractions, and activities after booking their accommodations. This gives travelers a wide range of experiences to choose from near their chosen destination. The collaboration follows a industry trend where accommodation providers are incorporating experiences to improve customer engagement. As Phocuswire writes, the experiences business has been growing, with Tripadvisor reporting a 59% increase in the performance of their Viator marketplace in the past year.
  • Alliants, a company specializing in customer experience, has made an early investment in Travelvrse, a technology that allows immersive booking experiences. Travelvrse’s goal is to improve guest engagement, increase direct bookings, and generate more revenue from additional services. The product focuses on attracting younger travelers by offering interactive experiences and simulations. Alliants is joining other supporters, such as Block Dojo, Amir Azulay, and Alex Grant. Travelvrse is planning to release its product in the first quarter of 2024 and aims to enhance the travel booking process for Millennials and Gen Z
  • All-in-one for Corporate travelers. Munich-based Lanes & Planes secured a €33.2 million  investment in their Series B funding round. Lanes & Planes provides a one-stop digital platform for corporate travel, handling everything from booking to approval and expenses. Established in 2017, the company has experienced significant growth in revenue, establishing itself as a prominent player in the European corporate travel industry. The investment will help them expand further in the European market.
  • Tourhub, an online platform for booking adventure holidays, has successfully raised £1 million in funding. The investment will be used to expand the platform’s reach and bring on board more tour operators. Waterspring Ventures played a leading role in the investment with £450,000, while the Development Bank of Wales contributed £550,000 from its Technology Seed Ventures Fund and Angel Co-Fund. Despite being established shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic, Tourhub used the time to strengthen its technology and operations. They also took advantage of the situation to collaborate with tour operators from around the world. CEO Seamus Conlon acknowledged that the pause caused by the pandemic allowed them to focus on building their technology platform and attracting operators at a faster pace.
  • Anyplace, a company that specializes in short-term rentals for remote workers, has raised $10.27 million in funding. This funding includes $8.27 million in ownership shares and $2 million in debt from Silicon Valley Bank. The investment was led by the Launch fund, which was created by Jason Calacanis. Other companies and individual backers also contributed to the funding. Anyplace offers apartment rentals that are convenient for remote work in major cities like San Francisco, New York City, Los Angeles, and San Diego. The funding will help the company grow its services and provide flexible and productive travel options for digital nomads.

New Partnerships to Streamline Experiences and Sustainability

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Here is your weekly curation of the top travel news on innovation, trends and startups in the travel industry:

  • Time for better inflight coffee? Alaska Airlines has partnered with Stumptown Coffee Roasters to bring better coffee to their flights. They carefully chose the coffee to make sure it still tastes good at high altitudes. Normally, being in the air can make food and drinks taste different because the air pressure changes how we can taste things. This is especially true for coffee, which usually ends up tasting kind of bland on planes.
  • Baggage trolleys, but with a twist. Travelers at Munich Airport can now use smart baggage trolleys equipped with interactive tablets provided by Danish company Intelligent Track Systems. These tablets allow passengers to input flight information or scan boarding cards, providing real-time flight updates and granting access to terminal facilities like shops and restaurants. Supporting the goal to make the airport experience better, these tablets are part of Munich Airport’s innovation initiatives, blending digital and analog elements for added passenger value.
  • Affordable (and certified) sustainable stays. On their effort to support travelers on their increased interest in accommodations with sustainability certifications, Booking.com is partnering up with Sustonica, a startup specialized in sustainability certification for short-term rentals. Sustonica assesses properties based on UN Sustainable Development Goals and evaluates energy efficiency, waste reduction, water conservation, and community impact. If a rental gets a good rating, it will have a special badge on Booking.com. Sustonica is trying to show property owners that being sustainable isn’t expensive and can be a good idea.
  • Digital menus: quick and easy. Hospitality tech companies Popmenu and OpenTable have partnered together to make it easier for restaurants in the US and Canada to manage their digital menus. This collaboration, which will expand to the UK in 2024, allows restaurant owners to import, create, and update menus for multiple locations using Popmenu. By streamlining menu management, this partnership helps restaurant owners improve their online visibility and enhance the dining experience for their customers. Popmenu also offers additional AI-driven solutions to support the growth of restaurants.
  • A push for cleaner skies. EasyJet is leading the way in reducing carbon emissions in the aviation industry. They are the first airline to partner with Airbus for their carbon removal program, which uses advanced tech to extract CO2 from the air and store it safely underground. EasyJet is spearheading carbon reduction in the airline sector by partnering with Airbus in a pioneering carbon-removal initiative, aiming for zero carbon emission flights through technologies like carbon removal and sustainable aviation fuel.

Innovations for Medium-Term Accommodations

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Today this newsletter is packed with exciting news about startups shaking things up in travel – specially in Europe. Ready for our curation of the top weekly news? Here we go:

  • The sweet spot of medium stays. Berlin-based startup Habyt, aims to revolutionize longer stays (typically lasting six to nine months) catering to nomadic and flexible work lifestyles. Already profitable in key markets, Habyt has secured a Series C funding of €40 million to support its growth. The startup runs a digital-first platform offering listings and viewings online, emphasizing a tech-driven approach in the co-living market. Habyt strategically targets the “sweet spot of medium stays” and plans to expand further across Europe, Asia, and North America, bridging the gap between short-term and long-term rentals
  • Mews prioritizes optimizing guests’ experiences. Mews has acquired Nomi, a Nashville-based hospitality startup, to enhance AI-powered guest experiences. This acquisition will improve the AI-powered experiences for hotel guests using Mews Guest Journey. Founded in 2021, Nomi uses predictive analytics and AI to offer local tour recommendations based on travelers’ unique preferences. The acquisition aligns with Mews’ goal of optimizing guest experiences, building a strong community within hotels, and further exemplifies their commitment to technological advancements in the hospitality sector, as it marks the seventh acquisition for Mews Ventures
  • Changing the way we book spaces. Finnish startup MeetingPackage has secured $4.6 million in Series A funding, which will support their expansion in Europe and North America while also advancing product improvements. The company collaborates with more than 6,000 properties, offering software to manage and sell meeting and event spaces, integrated with major property management systems. MeetingPackage aims to utilize upcoming features to make operations smoother and enhance customer experience, using technology to revolutionize how venues and groups book spaces.
  • Investment in insuring global travelers. Rome-based travel-insurtech BeSafeGroup has secured €3 million in Series A funding. Established in 2018, BeSafeGroup has insured over 250,000 travelers, serving a network of 1,600 customers (including hotels, tour operators, and more). The funds will not only further improve their claims management platform and develop tailored insurance solutions but also expand their sales team to accelerate growth, enabling BeSafeGroup to lead the market through tech innovation and enhanced customer experience.
  • Using AI predictions to adjust prices. Royal Air Maroc is partnering with Fetcherr to leverage their AI-driven pricing solution, which utilizes artificial intelligence to suggest price adjustments based on market predictions. Fetcherr is known for their innovative pricing and inventory management and believes that generative AI is the future of the airline industry. This partnership is a big step for Royal Air Maroc’s revenue management strategy and shows their commitment to improving operations and passenger experience.
  • Simplifying insurance and screening for rentals. Safely has secured $8 million in funding. The Atlanta-based startup focuses on insurance and safety tools for homeowners and property managers who rent out their properties. Safely offers insurance policies that cover personal injury and property damage for rental properties. Additionally, the company also offers background checks on prospective guests by checking government records and criminal databases. Safely’s solutions are compatible with over 30 property management systems, automating insurance and screening procedures. Their future plans include expanding operations, with a focus on growth and potential expansion into Europe.

Positive Experiences for the Environment

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Here are five stories about innovation, trends, and startups that caught my eye this week:

  • Local experts and authentic travel experiences. TravelLocal just got $10.3 million from investors to help them boost their mission of sustainable, local-centric travel. The startup wants people to travel in ways that are good for the environment and help local communities, connecting travelers with experts in each destination, offering authentic experiences. This funding will drive international expansion and enhance their marketplace, amplifying their unique approach to meaningful and responsible travel.
  • Boosting an European digital hospitality pioneer. NUMA Group secured $59 million in Series C funding led by Verlinvest to advance its innovative tech stack and expand its digital hospitality platform across Europe. Their fully digital hospitality brand combines the best of hotels and short-term rentals, offering guests seamless experiences from booking to checkout. With over €1.5 billion in real estate assets and 4,500 rooms in 28 European cities, NUMA is transforming the hospitality industry, bringing both high-level consumer experiences and operational efficiency through tech.
  • Contactless hotel stays. Ireland-based hospitality tech platform, Shackle, raised £12 million in a Series A round. Founded in 2020, Shackle offers a comprehensive app integrating with hotel systems for contactless check-in, keyless entry, and room service. The startup aims to reduce check-in times at hotels, improving customer experiences.
  • Fresh touch for in-destination experiences. Barcelona-based Globick just got $1.5 million from investors. The funds will boost the startup’s strategic commercial expansion and enhance the tech team to work with more travel suppliers. Globick aims to become the leading B2B connectivity platform in the in-destination experiences market. The startup has seen an increase in transaction volume, as well as growing client base including Trip.com and Hellotickets.
  • Bringing back the 70’s travel vibes. Loge Camps, a Washington-based lodging brand focusing on outdoor experiences, has successfully secured over $16 million in funding. The funds will accelerate growth, introducing new destinations, experiences, and amenities to their current property network. Inspired by the free-spirited travel culture of the 70s, Loge Camps offers a variety of ways to stay, fostering a sense of community through communal spaces and local experiences, embodying the relaxed energy of a road trip with friends.

Major Shake-up for Short-term Rentals ⚡︎

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Let’s go directly to our curation of the top news in innovation, trends, and startups for the week:

  • A hiccup for short term rental. Barcelona plans to ban all short-term rentals for tourists by late 2028 to address the housing shortage and rising rental prices. Mayor Jaume Collboni says this decision was made to increase affordable housing and curb illegal rentals. Starting November 2028, no new licenses will be issued and existing ones will be revoked, impacting over 10,000 properties, significantly affecting the travel industry. Ouch.
  • Better listing positions. Belgium-based OTA ranking management platform Otamiser raised $3 million in its initial funding round led by Pitchdrive VC. The funds will support Otamiser’s expansion to 1,000 hotels and 100,000 short-term rentals worldwide. By optimizing OTA rankings and pricing, Otamiser boosts occupancy rates by 11% and profits by 24%. This significantly enhances revenue and competitiveness by ensuring properties maximize their visibility and booking potential on major platforms.
  • Fair fares for all. AI-driven market engine for airlines Fetcherr closed a $90 million Series B funding round. They help airlines like Virgin Atlantic and Azul set perfect prices to boost revenue by optimizing fare structures based on market data. This new cash will also fuel their expansion beyond the travel industry.
  • Exploring market needs and rates. Lighthouse, the company that focuses on helping hotels and short-term rentals analyze market demand and rates, just bought Berlin-based HQ Revenue. Lighthouse, previously known as OTA Insight, has raised over $100M and serves 65,000 hoteliers globally. By bringing in top-notch teams, Lighthouse wants to boost their tech and use data to optimize hotel and rental revenue and performance.
  • Where investments are flowing. Powered by Lufthansa Innovation Hub, TNMT just published their latest “Travel and Mobility Sector Attractiveness Report”. It provides a clear overview of major priorities and investment strategies from 2018 to 2023 across aviation, ground transport, hospitality, and online travel. The research shows interesting insights on where investments went and which startups gained funding.
  • Bedbugs party in Paris. Remember a few months ago when everyone was freaking out about bedbugs in Paris? Well, there’s a startup fighting back, and they just scored €4M to expand their chemical-free bedbug safety tech. Valpas’ cool bed legs keep rooms bedbug-free, making guests super happy. With over 300 hotel partners, they’re taking on a huge industry problem and aiming for a future with no bedbugs and no pesticides in hospitality
  • Transforming railway operations. In their latest podcast episode, EU-Startups chats with Andreas Loy, Co-founder and CEO of KONUX, a German AI scale-up revolutionizing railway operations with predictive maintenance and timetable optimization. KONUX has raised $130M and expanded to ten European countries. This episode has some good insights on improving rail travel reliability and efficiency.

Group Travel just got Better

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It’s time for our weekly roundup of the top travel stories:

  • Improving travel planning with AI. Belgium-based startup Wetime is making its online travel planning platform better by adding AI features. They are working together with Packet Ship, a software provider for hotels. The Teaching Hotel in Maastricht will be the first to use this new technology, and then it will be used across the Netherlands with VodafoneZiggo. Wetime’s special AI focuses on information about places, history, and tourism. It makes each trip personalized to what the person likes and can afford. The platform is free for both people and hotels, aiming to change how people plan their trips to cities by giving them plans that are made just for them.
  • Hospitality expands through payment solution. HotelRunner, a hospitality tech provider, has acquired PayPad, a cloud-based sales system for hotels. This is the entry for HotelRunner into offering a system for selling and taking payments in-person at hotels, which is a big step to grow their business. Earlier, HotelRunner got $6.5 million from investors to help them grow and invest in new technology. This move is an important part of their plan to be a big name in the travel industry and make the travel system more connected online.
  • Gathering everyone: groups, meetings and events. HotelPlanner, a hotel booking platform focused on group travel and meetings, has acquired Eventsquid, a platform specializing in event registration. Eventsquid helps with organizing events by making things like registration, making websites and apps, and communicating with attendees automatic. The acquisition aims to enhancemake the experience better for customers and give event planners and attendees more advanced technology solutions, aligning with the evolving needs in event management.
  • Reshaping in-flight shopping. Gategroup and Immfly Group are merging their platforms into a cutting-edge solution for onboard retail technology. Immfly will be working with Gategroup to help with tech things like crew applications, payment solutions, and in-seat ordering. By combining their knowledge and skills, they will be able to offer airlines a seamless inflight connectivity experience covering pre-flight and in-seat services. This partnership combines their strengths in retail and digital technology to improve inflight retail and enhance the overall travel experience.
  • 2035: the year of the hydrogen-powered plane. Airbus is working together with ZeroAvia to show that flying with hydrogen and electricity is really possible. ZeroAvia focuses on using hydrogen to power planes, and sees this as strong validation. Airbus will invest and aid in hydrogen power system certification, fuel storage, and infrastructure development. ZeroAvia hopes to develop an aircraft with nine to nineteen seats by 2025, and one with forty or more seats two years later. This aligns with Airbus’ goal of making a hydrogen-powered plane under the ZEROe program by 2035.

AI Creating Travel Experiences in Europe

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It’s time for our weekly roundup of the top travel stories:

  • The pursuit of happiness beyond profit. Attractions have traditionally centered around creating happiness, but their role extends far beyond profitability today. In partnership with IAAPA, we have crafted a report that explores the various aspects of amusement park attractions—including how they can create meaningful experiences and influence our sense of identity.The report provides essential insights that will help you grow customer loyalty, cultivate thriving local communities, and secure the industry’s future success. You can download our report for free by clicking here. For those of you who want a more in-depth look at these topics, make sure to take a look at upcoming IAAPA EXPO Europe in Vienna this month.
  • A vote of confidence from current investors. Out of Reykjavik, Travelshift has secured $10 million in funding. The OTA uses AI to provide tailored and seamless travel experiences, focusing on European leisure trip planning. The startup will use the funds to accelerate its growth, develop new AI applications in travel and further its vision of transforming how people experience travel.
  • Easier flow for business trips. Online travel marketplace Wego has acquired Travelstop, a platform that simplifies business travel and expense management. For Wego, which serves the Middle East and North Africa, the acquisition offers entry into the corporate travel and expense management sectors. Travelstop, which aims to streamline corporate travel planning, will operate independently. This deal gives Wego access to the corporate travel market, which accounts for 30% of the travel industry in Asia Pacific and the Middle East.
  • No more AirTags for luggage tracking. Virgin Australia passengers can now track their checked luggage on most domestic flights by using the Virgin Australia app. This follows the airline’s $400 million investment in digital innovation and customer experience, including in-seat power and in-flight Wi-Fi. The new baggage-tracking tool will let passengers keep tabs on their luggage and reduce concerns about losing it – the notifications will provide peace of mind throughout its journey.
  • Growing popularity of flight subscriptions. The Barcelona-based traveltech Caravelo has raised €3.5 million in funding. This investment will help the startup meet the increasing demand for its subscription solutions in travel. The startup currently collaborates with over 20 airlines (including Alaska Airlines, Volaris, and Wizz Air). Over the last three years, Caravelo’s revenue has consistently grown by more than 100% each year. The funding follows their recent successes, including introducing flight subscriptions in Latin America and Europe. We are really excited to have Iñaki Uriz, the CEO of Caravelo, joining us at the FutureTravel Summit next month.
  • Japanese hospitality tech company Tripla, has bought BookandLink, a company that helps hotels distribute their services, for $6.8 million. This purchase supports Tripla’s goal of making hotels more profitable and improving the experience for guests by combining their technology with BookandLink’s channel management and guest engagement tools. By integrating BookandLink’s services with Tripla’s booking engine, customer management system, and payment tools, Tripla aims to expand in Asia and generate more income in their markets.

Unlocking Happiness via Travel

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now to our news curation on the top news this week – including our latest report, right in the next line:

  • Unlocking Happiness: Insights for the Attractions Industry. Discover the global evolution of happiness in attractions, the importance of meaningful experiences, and the shift towards identity-driven preferences. We worked with the International Association of Amusement parks, and Attractions (aka IAAPA) to pack industry insights into a great reading. Download our latest report now to explore key insights for building consumer loyalty, fostering local communities, and sustaining the industry’s future.
  • The time to rediscover Czechia. EaseMyTrip and CzechTourism have partnered together to launch a unique campaign. The goal of this campaign is to redefine luxury travel experiences and showcase the landscapes and cultural treasures of Czechia. This immersive campaign will last for six months and aims to celebrate Czechia’s rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and historical marvels. The main objective is to inspire travelers to embark on unforgettable journeys, increasing awareness about the destination.
  • Another step to ensure effortless hosting. Airbnb has teamed up with Breezeway, a platform that helps manage maintenance and cleaning for short-term rentals. The collaboration aims to provide Airbnb hosts with operational insights and automation to simplify their tasks. Through this partnership, Breezeway’s tools will be integrated into Airbnb’s platform, making it easier for hosts to handle cleaning, quality assurance, restocking, maintenance, and ensuring property safety. The partnership also allows hosts to access guest reviews on Airbnb, giving them valuable feedback to enhance their property management. Additionally, hosts will have a seamless way to communicate with guests through Breezeway’s integrated messaging system.
  • Flight options with loyalty program points. Point.me, a metasearch engine that specializes in finding flight options using loyalty program points, recently secured $10 million in a Series A funding round. This funding will support Point.me’s growth and expansion plan, which include forming strategic partnerships with card issuers, improving their concierge service, and scaling their consumer subscription business. After successfully attracting over 1.5 users during its first year, the additional funding will allow Point.me to strengthen existing partnerships and establish new ones, resulting in a wider platform reach.
  • When data turns into great service. Holiday rental management platform Hostaway has partnered with customer success platform Velaris to enhance customer service. Hostaway will utilize Velaris’ customer data intelligence, automation, and project management tools to deliver customer success at scale as part of its mission to provide top-notch service to property managers worldwide. The company recently secured $175 million in funding and aims to revolutionize the industry by offering advanced solutions that empower property managers to exceed customer expectations and thrive in a dynamic market.

In case you missed, last week we launched our premium report, with a dense research on the world’s top 100 travel startups. You can check it out here. https://futuretravel.com/report-top-100-travel-startups/

Group Trip Startup Funding and Acquisitions

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Let’s dive into  our news curation on the top news this week:

  • Embracing AI for personalized travel. Online travel agency Travelshift has secured $10 million in funding. The funds will support the company’s growth and the development of AI-driven personalized travel experiences. This funding follows the recent launch of Guide to Europe, an AI-powered marketplace for European leisure travel by Travelshift.
  • Acquiring for a friend – collective trips await. Travel tech company Snowfall has acquired start-up AmigoGo, an app for planning and booking group trips together. Snowfall aims to enhance its Junction One booking platform with this strategic move. AmigoGo, launched in 2022, helps travelers plan group trips by solving decision-making challenges. The integration will improve Snowfall’s Junction platform with better group trip planning capabilities. AmigoGo founders will join Snowfall’s tech team as part of the deal. Financial details of the acquisition remain undisclosed.
  • Path to Expansion and Growth. Group tour and experience specialist Modern Adventure has secured $4.8 million in Series A funding. The funds will be used to expand travel offerings, improve customer experiences, and support recruitment. Modern Adventure believes that experiences are crucial for building customer relationships and offers talent-hosted trips and private group retreats worldwide.
  • Goodwings for clean travel. Denmark-based travel management system Goodwings has secured $1.5 million in funding. Goodwings offers a subscription-based platform allowing businesses to book travel and receive commissions from hotel and flight bookings, which are deposited into a “Carbon Account” that can be used to offset emissions through green aviation fuel and carbon offsets. On a recent update, the company updated its dashboard to provide clients with more data on emissions reductions. The company also announced a partnership with JTB USA to expand its supply of flights, hotels, trains, and car rentals.
  • Keeping Guests Eco-Informed. Based in Copenhagen, BeCause is joining forces with easyJet holidays to improve the way sustainability information about hotels is presented. Their tech connects certifying organizations with travel companies, making sure that accurate and reliable sustainability data is provided to travelers. Through this partnership, easyJet holidays will automate and simplify the process of presenting sustainability information, replacing the need for manual updates. This guarantees that users will always have the latest information about eco-certified accommodations.

Netflix In-Person Interactive Experiences

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Let’s catch up on the top travel news in innovation, trends, and startups for the week:

  • Shaking up business travel. TravelPerk, the fast-growing travel tech unicorn, just acquired Chicago-based AmTrav, making the U.S. its top revenue region. This move adds 1,000 new SMB clients and doubles their US revenue. Backed by a $135M credit facility from Blackstone and Blue Owl, TravelPerk is set to expand even more in the US and Europe. And just in time, we’re thrilled to announce that this year TravelPerk CEO Avi Meir will be speaking at our FutureTravel Summit! We are super excited to have him joining us on stage!
  • Taking TV shows to real-world hangouts. Netflix is opening “Netflix House” in major US malls, including locations in Dallas and Pennsylvania, creating immersive retail spaces themed around hit shows like “Bridgerton” and “Squid Game.” Visitors can enjoy interactive experiences, themed food and drinks, and unique retail therapy. This strategy capitalizes on Netflix’s massive fanbase, similar to Disney, turning their popular content into physical attractions. With high foot traffic and proximity to major cities, these locations aim to keep fans engaged beyond the screen.
  • Young travelers want to just show up and go. Travel agents are making a comeback as Gen Zers and millennials find them easy and cost-effective. With 76% of agents busier in 2021 than pre-pandemic, younger travelers prefer curated, hassle-free trips. In 2023, 38% of them used travel agents. This global trend boosts the travel industry, driving demand for unique and sustainable travel experiences and increasing overall spending.
  • Growing revenue, still chasing profits. Short-term rental provider Sonder announces a significant reduction in its portfolio, exiting or reducing rents in 105 buildings to optimize costs and improve cash flow. The company has already agreed to exit 80 buildings and aims for a $40M annual cash flow improvement. Additionally, Sonder raised $10M in financing to boost liquidity. Although the efforts towards increasing revenue, profitability it’s still a challenge.
  • Easier booking for hotels. HotelREZ and Apaleo have integrated their systems, enabling seamless data exchange for independent hotels. This connection allows hoteliers to optimize booking costs by managing inventory, rates, and availability in real-time. The partnership enhances efficiency, reduces staff workload, and maximizes market opportunities, benefiting Apaleo customers with access to HotelREZ’s global demand programs and travel agency networks.

Welcoming Avi Meir, CEO of TravelPerk, to FutureTravel Summit 2024

We’re excited to announce that Avi Meir, Co-founder and CEO of Barcelona-based unicorn TravelPerk, will be speaking at the FutureTravel Summit 2024!

Since its founding in 2015, TravelPerk has become a leader in the business travel market with its next-gen, all-in-one platform. It gives travelers the freedom they want while providing companies with the oversight and control they need. In January 2022, TravelPerk hit unicorn status after a massive €101 million funding boost.

Avi Meir is a well-respected personality in travel, known for his deep expertise. Before TravelPerk, he founded “Hotel Ninjas,” a web-based management software for hotels, which was acquired by Booking.com just two years later.

Join us at the FutureTravel Summit to hear great insights from Avi Meir and other industry leaders. Connect with over 450 travel executives, startups, investors, and corporates who are shaping the future of travel.

Partnership for Better Travel Insurance

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Here’s your weekly roundup of the latest trends, innovations, and startup news in travel:

  • Tailored digital guides for guests. Barcelona-based Identify Travel has secured €400,000 to enhance its technological solutions for tourism. The company provides digital destination guides and gamified travel experiences that help diversify tourist traffic and improve guest loyalty in accommodations. This investment will enable the startup to expand its innovative services to more regions, including Spain, Portugal, the UK, and Morocco, emphasizing cultural tourism and reducing overcrowding in popular areas.
  • Travel insurance, but with a twist. Europe’s second-largest neobank, bunq has teamed up with insurtech leader Qover to redefine travel insurance across 7 global markets. Through bunq’s app, travelers can get hassle-free activation and a swift claims process, emphasizing ease and transparency. This collaboration between a fintech and an insurtech to introduce travel products highlights an interesting shift – possibly setting new benchmarks for travel insurance solutions and broadening the scope of what’s possible in travel tech.
  • DACH just got a hospitality boost. Recently achieving unicorn status, Mews has just announced the acquisition of HS3 Hotelsoftware, significantly enhancing its presence in Germany. This strategic acquisition brings over 3,500 customers to Mews and supports its expansion in the cloud-based hotel management sector, where it now manages more than 30,000 beds in the DACH region. This acquisition is set to advance hospitality management in Germany, keeping pace with the sector’s increasing focus on automation and technological innovation.
  • European countryside escapes. Munich-based Holidu is expanding its presence in the tourism sector by acquiring Spanish portal Clubrural. This acquisition integrates Clubrural’s 28,000 rural properties across Spain and Portugal into Holidu’s platform, enhancing offerings for both hosts and guests. The addition of Clubrural promises a wider international reach and modernized service capabilities, strengthening Holidu’s position in the European market and supporting growth in rural vacation rentals.
  • Google’s effect on travel dynamics. At Google I/O yesterday, the company announced the latest updates to Gemini AI. If you are wondering about its potential impact on the travel industry, Travel and Tour World provided some insights into how it can revolutionize travel planning, mentioning its personalized recommendations, integrated itinerary management, seamless booking experience, cost optimization features, and 24/7 travel assistance. The updates will bring significant challenges for traditional travel operators by offering streamlined itinerary management and booking – creating new ways to plan and experience travel experiences.

🌱 Fresh Funds, Partnerships & Mobility Startups

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Here’s your weekly roundup of the latest trends, innovations, and startup news in travel:

  • Boosting the things people like to do. Holibob secures new funding to enhance its eCommerce engine for travel experiences. The UK-based company helps destinations and travel brands sell experiences online with its advanced technology. The platform provides hyper-relevant recommendations to travelers, resulting in strong engagement and increased bookings. The company aims to further develop their solutions, making it easier for travelers to find and book the best in-destination experiences.
  • Remixing spaces. Tokyo-based Matsuri Technologies secures $8.65 million in Series D funding to boost its StayX platform and expand tourism infrastructure. The company converts single-use rooms into multi-use spaces. The funds will enhance software, expand facilities, and recruit talent, capitalizing on Japan’s tourism surge. Japan’s tourism industry is experiencing a robust recovery, with inbound visitors reaching 25 million in 2023, nearing pre-pandemic levels. This revival also benefits the private accommodation sector.
  • Departure deals. In a joint-effort, Wizz Air launched an e-commerce store powered by InterLnkd’s intelligent matching engine. This platform matches destinations with relevant fashion, beauty, and essential products for passengers, offering a personalized shopping experience with items from over 20,000 brands, including M&S, Sephora, and Asos. This launch follows InterLnkd’s recent funding round and new partnerships with travel brands like Thomas Cook and LeShuttle.
  • Top mobility startups. Mobility in Europe is transforming with a push for sustainable transport. As travel and transportation sectors converge, startups are at the forefront, leveraging tech to create eco-friendly options. Electric car registrations hit 3.2 million in 2023, a 20% rise from 2022. Trends like shared mobility, autonomous driving, and AI integration are reshaping how we move, so the EU-Startups team is spotlighting 10 European startups leading this change.
  • Do you know an extraordinary business leader who deserves recognition? Our Partners Airwallex, in collaboration with Visa, are looking for extraordinary leaders who demonstrate the Olympic spirit. Why? Nominate them and give them a chance to win tickets to the Olympic Games Paris 2024, courtesy of Visa! The winner will receive a trip to the Olympic Games for themselves and 4 guests, travel and accommodation and more! To nominate someone (or yourself), simply visit the link below and share their story. Nominations close on 21 June at 12:00 so don’t miss out and apply today! We can’t wait to hear about all the inspiring leaders out there!
  • Rewriting hospitality. San Francisco-based Canary Technologies raised $50 million in funding, bringing their total to nearly $100 million. The US-based company provides AI solutions to thousands of hotels including major brands like Marriott and Hilton. Their tech streamlines hotel operations, enhances guest experiences, and reduces fraud. The new funds will help the startup to improve their AI capabilities and expand their team.

City Introduces Robotaxis

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Here is your weekly overview of the top news on innovation, trends and startups:

  • The experts in luggage storage. Dealing with guests’ luggage can be a headache for hotels, but it doesn’t have to be this way. LuggageHero, a leading provider of on-demand luggage storage since 2016, has launched HotelsHero to bring its expertise to the hotel industry. This time-saving, no-cost service helps hotels of all sizes seamlessly store luggage without needing extra space or lockers. Hotels can choose to handle storage themselves or allow guests to store their own luggage. Additionally, hotels can decide whether to offer luggage storage for free or add a handling fee.
  • Guiding travelers on public transport. Marseille-based startup Qommute, which specializes in real-time traveler info, just raised 2.4 million euros to speed up its expansion in Europe. Founded in 2013, Qommute aims to become the top player in Europe by teaming up with major operators. Their tech delivers reliable, instant info, making public transport more appealing. In France, they already support 70 transport networks and seems that they are talking to several European operators.
  • A grand slam of deals. Focusing on selling travel packages by automating production, booking processes, and managing marketing data, the French group Travelsoft, has announced three new acquisitions in a single week: TravelgateX, ATCORE Technology, and Travel Connection Technology. These acquisitions elevate Travelsoft’s status as a global player in technology solutions for the leisure travel industry, with its technology now processing transactions worth €35 billion annually.
  • Compensating messy flights. London-based travel paytech Swiipr raises €7 million to transform airline disruption payments. Swiipr’s digital platform improves passenger experience and reduces airline costs by up to 60% by replacing outdated compensation methods with instant, secure digital payouts, reducing fraud, processing time, and handling costs. Founded in 2020, Swiipr benefits 26 airlines across 70 countries, addressing a major industry pain point.
  • Robotaxis and roboguides. It seems that San Francisco has added a new ingredient to its tourism mix: robotaxis. Tourists are increasingly citing robotaxi rides as a key reason for visiting the city. Despite their controversial reputation among residents, the influx of tourists eager to experience robotaxis could help secure continued support for the technology’s public trials and drive its expansion to new locations.
  • Starlink-powered flights. Qatar Airways is set introduce free high-speed wi-fi through SpaceX’s Starlink, joining Hawaiian Airlines, AirBaltic, and Air New Zealand in offering this service. The first flights with Starlink are expected by the end of the year. The first 777s will feature Starlink by late 2024, with the entire fleet equipped within two years. A nice perk for their passengers 🙂

Here are a few that caught my attention: 

Future-Proofing Travel with Design and Tech

To thrive in the travel industry, staying updated with the newest tech is key. As customers expect more and the competition grows, travel executives need to keep up with the latest trends to push their business forward. This is where Intellias steps in, offering specialized Design Thinking Workshops on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) tailored specifically for travel executives. These workshops help understand these technologies and use them to boost customer service and streamline operations.

Getting Ahead with Design Thinking

Design thinking is all about understanding people’s needs, experimenting with ideas, and solving problems practically. It’s especially useful in travel, where customer satisfaction and operational efficiency are key. By adopting a Design Thinking approach, businesses can discover innovative ways to improve their services and operations, making them more aligned with what customers really want. These workshops demonstrate how AI and ML can transform customer interactions and business management, providing tangible examples and hands-on experience.

Smooth Flow for Problem Solving

Hosted by the Intellia’s team, the workshops are structured around three key phases: Why, What, and How. Participants will start by brainstorming and understanding their core challenges. Next, they will create visual plans and define potential solutions. Finally, they will build prototypes of their ideas to test and refine them. This hands-on approach helps businesses gain a deep understanding of their customers and identify the best problem-solving strategies.

Practical and Insightful

In these workshops, AI and ML concepts are demystified, breaking down complex ideas into understandable and actionable insights. Participants will learn to pinpoint specific business issues that AI and ML can address, allowing them to create targeted, effective solutions. Through creative problem-solving exercises, they can develop solutions that move their business forward. Participants will gain practical experience with real data and tools, helping them understand the implementation and impact of AI and ML on their operations.

Tangible Benefits of Participation

By joining these workshops, businesses can ensure AI and ML integration aligns with their goals, enhancing strategic initiatives and fostering cross-departmental collaboration. This leads to company-wide solutions that boost customer satisfaction and loyalty. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of customer needs, generate actionable ideas, and see real-world implementation. The workshops provide clear steps for integrating AI and ML, helping businesses offer more personalized and efficient customer experiences. Ultimately, they will grasp AI and ML’s potential to drive their business forward.

These workshops offer a unique opportunity to get hands-on with the latest technologies and ensure your business remains at the forefront of innovation. To know more about the workshops, get in touch with Intellias – they are ready to shape the future of travel and hospitality with smart, practical solutions.

“Intellias Design Thinking Workshop on leveraging AI/ML for enhancing the employee and traveler experience resulted in comprehensive, pragmatic solutions tailored to our business. The workshop offered clear implementation steps and valuable insights to support future decisions, ensuring exceptional customer experiences through tangible technology applications.“
Monika Moser, CTO Scandinavia BWH | Hotels

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