Kate Harden-England

🛳️ Major Travel, a UK-based travel wholesaler, launched a cruise booking function in August on its platform, Major Go. This new feature enables travel agents to book complete cruise holidays from a single interface, including options from Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Disney Cruise Line, along with flights, hotels, and transfers. Initially in pilot mode, agents can provide feedback to refine the tool, which is designed to streamline the booking process and enhance flexibility and choice for agents.

🚀 Custom Travel Solutions (CTS) launched RouteStack.ai for seamless online bookings. This tool allows travel agencies, banks, and fintechs to integrate directly with AI assistants like ChatGPT, keeping bookings under their brand. CEO Mike Putman highlighted the importance of controlling AI-driven bookings to maintain customer relationships, data, and revenue. The infrastructure supports hotels, flights, car rentals, and more. RouteStack.ai ensures brands retain business when users seek AI booking help, avoiding third-party losses.

🚗 Cardiff-based Final Rentals, founded in 2019, offers deposit-free car rentals across 65+ countries through partnerships with fintech company Cardoo. Customers pay a small daily fee instead of traditional €500-€2,500 deposits, reducing credit card holds. This first-to-market service, available instantly via a digital dashboard, aims to simplify the rental process and boost competitiveness. CEO Ammar Akhtar envisions deposit-free rentals as standard, while Head of Sales Ricky Gamble emphasizes enhanced customer experience and market differentiation.

💻 Agoda has introduced Room Grid Bot, an AI-powered assistant in its mobile app, enhancing room selection by integrating a traveler's preferences with search criteria. Available from the room selection page, this tool simplifies booking by suggesting suitable room options in real-time. With over 6 million properties, 130,000 flight routes, and 300,000 activities, Agoda aims to streamline booking decisions, reducing drop-offs and offering personalized experiences while maintaining user control.

🗺️ Almost 1 in 4 Brits choose AI over travel agents for holiday bookings, according to hoppa. The survey shows 40% prefer AI, while only 7% stick to agents, and 13% use both. Hoppa's ChatGPT plug-in enhances AI-driven trip planning. Key benefits: saving time (40%), stress reduction (25%), personalized tips (21.5%). Despite 45% feeling comfortable with AI booking, cost concerns persist, with 16% seeking budget spots and 12% cheaper flights. AI is reshaping travel planning, balancing tech with human insight.

🗺 Chinese-owned Fliggy, part of Alibaba Group, has upgraded its AI travel assistant, powered by Alibaba's Qwen model. The assistant now supports complex multistep tasks like booking changes. Usability improved by over 70%, and task completion times dropped by nearly 10%. Enhanced memory capabilities integrate user preferences for personalized support. Embedded throughout the app, it supports natural language voice or text commands, complementing traditional booking interfaces. CTO Dr. Alex Chen emphasizes its transformative role in travel interaction.

🏨 Radisson Hotel Group introduces "Long Stays by Radisson Hotels" to meet demand for extended accommodations. The initiative offers tiered pricing, standardized booking, and aligned commissions, accessible via GDS and corporate agreements. Benefits include a dedicated hotel contact and personalized planning. Launching in Brussels, it spans EMEA and APAC, aiming to strengthen ties with TMCs and corporate buyers. With over 1,600 hotels globally, cities like Dubai, Riyadh, Zurich, and Amsterdam are key markets.

📈 Agoda has launched a revamped Partner Portal to enhance property management and business insights. Nearly 80% of hotels in advanced localization stages rely on OTAs for cultural insights, while 73% use them for guest data. Satisfaction with Agoda's mobile app has almost doubled since 2024. The platform offers tools like Agoda Dynamic Rates and promotional programs, along with AI-driven guest review analysis. In South Korea, KakaoTalk notifications are now available, with plans to add support for WhatsApp and WeChat.

💵 Global fintech firm Revolut gained a full banking license in France, approved by the ACPR and European Central Bank. Revolut plans to expand its Western European presence with over 600 hires and a new HQ in Paris, housing leaders like Frédéric Oudéa and Béatrice Cossa-Dumurgier. The firm aims to serve over 30 million customers, starting in France, then Germany, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, and Spain. Revolut Bank UAB in Lithuania remains a key operational hub.