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Travel Weekly Group Ltd

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FDS expands customer offer with launch of…

🚢 DFDS, a ferry operator, partners with WebBeds.com to offer hotel stay packages in Northern France, Belgium, Holland, and Germany, with exclusive discounts for bookings through their website. Packages cater to weekend city breakers, allowing flexibility with car travel and luggage. Starting from £99 per person, the deal includes a one-night stay in Bruges and ferry travel. DFDS transports three million passengers yearly and aims to be a one-stop-shop with ABTOT protection.
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Guest Post: Digitalisation – Revving up…

🚘 Digital transformation in ground transport has enabled efficient travel, with connected platforms supporting bookings, route comparisons, and deals. Operators, using AI and data analysis, optimize routes, manage demand, and reduce costs, leading to more affordable travel options. 5G upgrades further smooth operations. Sustainable travel is promoted, as customers opt for trains and buses over flights, aware of the lower carbon footprint, with operators using data to minimize emissions. Digital tools enhance resilience in the face of climate challenges.
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Atlas employs AI to tackle quality gaps in…

🛫 Atlas launched Athena, an AI-powered 'digital employee' to enhance airline data quality and content across 150 carriers. In six months, Athena flagged over 10,000 issues, enabling real-time resolution and maintaining seamless booking experiences. Athena automates airline API and HTML monitoring, ticketing quality checks, and data verification, deactivating and reactivating airlines based on performance. CEO Mary Li emphasizes the scale of data quality challenges in airline retailing, where Athena serves as a 24/7 solution.
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Travelzoo tips growth in multigenerational…

🛫 Travelzoo identifies 2025 trends: multigenerational trips, local experiences, train travel growth. UK general manager James Clarke reveals at London's Gherkin, citing over-50s hold significant UK wealth, driving family trips. 75% of travelers seek local cuisine. River and expedition cruises to shine, with 28% showing a multigenerational element. Train travel gains favor for its low emissions. Value-added travel surges as travelers seek off-season deals with perks amidst budget impacts.
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Lighthouse closes $370M Series C round

📍 Lighthouse, a travel & hospitality intelligence platform, secured $370M in Series C funding led by KKR. The investment, to further its mission in the $15B market, will drive product innovation, acquisitions, and global expansion. Prior to this, Lighthouse, known as OTA Insights, raised $80M in Series B in November 2021. Existing investors include Spectrum Equity, F-Prime Capital, Eight Roads Ventures, and Highgate Technology Ventures. KKR's Next Generation Technology III Fund is the investment vehicle used. William Blair and Latham & Watkins advised on the financial and legal aspects, respectively.
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Hotel booking data reveals ‘summer-holiday…

📆 HotelHub's Q3 2024 Index reveals a downturn in Europe's business travel with bookings down 57% in August compared to June. Major declines seen in Italy (-72%), Spain (-77%), and France (-79%). Average European nightly rates decreased 11% in August from June's peak, with Germany's rates dropping 21%. Nordic countries experienced similar trends in July. Global booking volumes in September 2024 reached the highest monthly total of the year, up 9% from September 2023. The average global rate per night in Q3 2024 increased by 1.85% year-over-year to $183 USD, showing a slowdown from earlier increases of 7.92% in Q1 and 3.63% in Q2. Booking lead times in Q3 2024 were up 6.81%, with reservations made 16.21 days in advance.
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