Travel Weekly Group Ltd - 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers - Page 24

1 min

Dida launches innovation challenge to UK…

💻 UK university students can apply for Dida’s Future of Travel challenge, organized with Headstart Global, to innovate in AI-powered travel, sustainable tourism, and future accommodation. Finals on 1 November 2025 at Shangri-La Hotel, London, feature nine teams pitching to Dida’s executives. Winners receive cash prizes and Insight Week in Shenzhen, China, at Dida HQ. Participants include students from LSE, UCL, Edinburgh, Warwick, and Manchester.

2 min

Valk Exclusief selects Apaleo to power…

💻 Valk Exclusief, the Netherlands' largest independent full-service hotel group, began a digital transformation in September 2024 using Apaleo's API-first platform. By December 2025, all 43 hotels, covering 7,100 rooms, will migrate. The project includes 55 restaurants and 475 meeting spaces across the Netherlands and Germany. Ten hotels, including Düsseldorf and Amsterdam Zuidas, went live mid-year. The new system enhances guest services and reduces staff onboarding time, benefiting over 11 million guests annually.

2 min

InterLnkd teams up with Viasat to roll out…

🛸 InterLnkd partners with Viasat to introduce AirMall, the first digital inflight shopping mall, announced at the World Aviation Festival in Lisbon. Over 60 airlines using Viasat's inflight broadband can access more than 20,000 brands via AirMall. This collaboration allows airlines to monetize Wi-Fi investments without extra hardware or software. InterLnkd CEO Barry Klipp highlights the potential for monetizing passenger behavior, while Viasat's Nathan Clapton focuses on scalable revenue solutions and enhanced passenger experiences.

1 min

Travel Counsellors’ new AI Hub is now live

🚀 Travel Counsellors, a global agency, launched its AI Hub during its inaugural AI Fest. This initiative offers ongoing resources, training, and inspiration, guided by over 20 AI Champions. CEO Steve Byrne emphasized the blend of technology and personal experience. The AI Hub features LinkedIn Learning modules and aims to foster innovation within the community. This effort supports record growth in corporate and leisure travel, enhancing individual AI journeys while maintaining Travel Counsellors' personal touch.

3 min

‘Glowmads’ and ‘Shelf Discovery’ among 2026…

📅 In 2026, Skyscanner’s report highlights key travel trends shaped by personal interests and economic factors. 27% of UK travelers focus on local beauty culture, influenced by social media. 43% explore local supermarkets abroad for authentic experiences. 71% plan mountain escapes for tranquility, with a 103% YoY increase in mountain view hotel bookings. Literature-inspired trips attract nearly half of travelers, with a 70% increase in library filter use. Solo travel is popular, with a 39% interest rate, and family trips grow as 16% engage in multi-generational travel. 27% choose hotels as destinations themselves.

2 min

CIC Hospitality to personalise guest…

📱 CIC Hospitality partners with Bookboost to enhance guest experience across 30+ properties in Europe, including Best Western and Radisson. By adopting Bookboost’s Multi-Channel CRM and Unified Inbox, they aim to automate 80% of communications, reducing manual tasks by 20%. This digital transformation allows tailored interactions via email, WhatsApp, and SMS, improving efficiency and guest satisfaction. Øyvind Frisak, CCO, highlights the strategic blend of technology and hospitality, optimizing the guest journey with data-driven personalisation.

2 min

Boom raises $12.7 million led by Avenue…

💻 AI-powered property management system, Boom, secured $12.7 million in funding led by Avenue Growth Partners. This investment, with contributions from industry leaders like Ian Carter and Scott Srebnick, aims to enhance Boom's next-gen AI for STR and hospitality sectors. Boom, spanning 20 countries across five continents, handles 80% of guest messages via AI, reducing workload and boosting efficiency. The funds will support global expansion, recruitment, and innovation to improve guest experiences and profitability.

2 min

Italian carrier Aeroitalia to deploy new…

✈️ Aeroitalia, established in 2022, is enhancing its operations with Navitaire's solutions, including New Skies, a modern reservation platform for hybrid carriers. This partnership aims to improve customer experiences through dynamic offers, real-time disruption management, and omnichannel distribution. Aeroitalia plans to expand its fleet of 15 aircraft with new routes to Ibiza from Milan and Rome by Q3 2025. CEO Gaetano Intrieri highlights New Skies' flexibility and scalability as key benefits.

1 min

Hotels.com makes discount scheme more flexible

💰 Hotels.com launched the Save Your Way initiative, offering members up to 20% discounts. Members can either apply discounts immediately or bank them for future use on ‘pay now’ trips. This initiative targets business and leisure travelers seeking flexibility. A $200 room could be booked for $160 or bank the $40 discount for future use, applicable without restrictions or blackout dates. Hari Nair, general manager, emphasized flexibility and maximizing trip value.

1 min

Accelya agrees to terms with Amazon Web…

✈ Accelya and AWS have signed a five-year Strategic Collaboration Agreement to enhance airline retailing. The goal is scalable, secure, and modular solutions via the FLX ONE platform. This platform, already responsible for over 50% of global NDC volumes and 30 billion daily offers, will gain from AWS's technical expertise. This partnership will be highlighted at the World Aviation Festival in Lisbon, showcasing innovative advancements in airline technology.

Input your search keywords and press Enter.