Kate Harden-England

💰 MEWS secured $300 million in Series D funding, led by EQT Growth, Atomico, and HarbourVest Partners. This boosts its valuation to $2.5 billion, with a 55% increase in gross profit over the past year. The company plans to enhance AI capabilities and expand Mews Payments and fintech infrastructure. Now serving over 15,000 customers, MEWS achieved $19.7 billion in platform transactions in 2025, positioning itself as a leader in modern hospitality tech across North America and Europe.

✈️ European OTA lastminute.com has launched its first Model Context Protocol (MCP) Server for flights, built entirely in-house. This marks the first step in their multi-year AI infrastructure roadmap. The company aims to enhance scalability and AI capabilities as part of a three-year strategic plan. The MCP Server is now available on the Anthropic Marketplace for developers. CEO Alessandro Petazzi emphasizes AI as a strategic asset to improve customer experience and operational efficiency.

💻 SilverDoor has invested in Robotic Process Automation (RPA) to enhance its online booking tool (OBT), which now processes live rates 10 times faster. The digital worker ensures accurate rates and expands the booking inventory. This upgrade addresses client demand for real-time rates and supports decision-making with analytics and currency selection. Hanish Vithal, CTO, highlights the investment’s role in providing a frictionless booking experience and competitive pricing.

💻 Finest Retreats, a holiday lettings expert in Cornwall, launched the UK's first proprietary housekeeper management app this month for iOS and Android. Developed over 12 months in collaboration with a Cornwall partner, the app simplifies operations, manages cleaning checklists, and integrates with booking systems in real-time. Hayley Mason oversees the app's rollout. Users report decreased incidents and streamlined invoice management. The app also includes compliance management for fire safety and regulations, enhancing property standards.

✈️ Sabre collaborates with Lleego, Vibe, TPConnects, Ypsilon.net, and Mesh to integrate 42 airlines' NDC content into SabreMosaic Travel Marketplace. This allows leisure, corporate, and online travel sellers to access airline content within existing workflows. Each provider will gradually enable the content based on their roadmaps. Miguel Gonzalez emphasizes the seamless integration and efficiency for agencies.

💳 Payment platform SUNRATE partners with Juniper Travel Technology, enabling cross-border payment and commercial card issuing. Tour operators and travel suppliers can now transact in over 15 currencies, enhancing transaction and reconciliation processes. The rollout begins progressively, with expansions planned through 2026 and beyond. Paul Batchelor from SUNRATE highlights the partnership's goal to streamline travel payments, while Toni Reina from Juniper emphasizes improved efficiency and transparency for clients.

💳 TRYBE and Stayntouch have partnered to enhance hospitality operations by syncing cloud-based management systems. This integration allows all charges, including spa treatments, to be instantly reflected and auto-synced, boosting efficiency and enhancing guest experiences. Jeff Down of Stayntouch and Ricky Daniels of TRYBE emphasize automation's role in reducing friction and creating operational clarity. This collaboration marks a significant step toward a fully connected platform for hospitality operators in 2026.