Travel Weekly Group Ltd - 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers - Page 58

2 min

Holidaymakers embrace last-minute planning,…

📱 Net Affinity's data for Q1 2025 reveals a 7% rise in smartphone bookings in the UK, USA, and Republic of Ireland. In April 2025, 59% of Irish bookings were made via smartphones, up from 52% in 2024. Last-minute bookings (within 7 days) increased by 4%. While Irish-originating bookings fell by 2%, UK and Northern Ireland saw a 7% rise, and USA bookings dropped by 4%. Mobile optimization remains crucial for hotels.

2 min

ForsaTEK 2025 is all about driving greater…

🚀 In 2025, Emirates Group hosted ForsaTEK in Dubai, highlighting AI, robotics, and IoT in aviation. The forum featured 40+ showcases, including autonomous drones and AI-enabled systems. ForsaTEK was opened by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum. Notable innovations included Transguard's autonomous robotics and dnata Cargo's drone systems. The event also launched the Afkar app and showcased the automation of visa validation. A pitch zone featured 13 startups, enhancing engagement and innovation within the group.

Focus announces joint venture with customer…

💻 Focus Travel Partnership, the top UK consortium for SME TMCs, partners with Front, an advanced customer service platform. Starting Q3 2025, this collaboration introduces an AI-driven, omnichannel communication platform to enhance customer service for Focus TMC Partners. Endorsed by the Focus Innovation Group, this move is praised by Craig Klemp, VP at Front, and Tony Edge, Business Solutions Manager at Focus, for its potential to drive workflow efficiencies and elevate customer experience.

1 min

Cryptorefills launches Coinbase pay for…

🚀 Cryptorefills, a platform for spending cryptocurrency, has launched Coinbase Pay for booking flights and hotels globally, offering faster and gas-free checkouts. Now live, the service connects to over 300 airlines and a million hotels, facilitated by Triple-A. It supports over a dozen cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin and Ethereum. With options like Binance Pay and KuCoin Pay, it aims to enhance borderless, bankless travel payments, providing seamless transactions for crypto users worldwide.

2 min

Emerging Travel Group appoint new lead for…

🗺 Emerging Travel Group appointed Astrid Kastberg as Managing Director of RateHawk. 🌍 Based in Dubai, she will lead the B2B division supporting 110,000 retail and 1,100 API partners. 📈 In 2024, the group hit a $3.7 billion gross transaction value with RateHawk's net booking value rising 1.8 times and a 67% global booking growth. 🏢 The group employs 3,600+ people in 80 countries with offices in Dubai, Wilmington, Singapore, London, Berlin, Lisbon, Warsaw, and Limassol.

3 min

Guest Post: Travel automation is a growth…

🛡️ Travel companies often claim to automate processes, but many only use tools that support manual processing. True automation removes repetitive tasks, freeing staff for more value-added roles. This mindset shift from cost-cutting to resilience allows agencies to handle demand fluctuations without hiring pressure. Automation should start with simple, high-volume tasks to build confidence. It supports stability amidst unpredictability, letting staff focus on growth rather than routine tasks.

1 min

Visit Group acquires hospitality tech…

💻 Visit Group, a Swedish travel tech company, acquired Iceland-based GODO, enhancing leadership in the Nordic region. The acquisition includes Travia, a real-time supplier connection platform. A €100 million investment from PSG Equity in early 2024 aims to accelerate growth. Richard Wiegmann is now CEO, succeeding James Dixon, who is now COO. This strategic move aims to improve direct sales, distribution, and guest experiences in the hospitality industry.

Etraveli Group’s fraud prevention…

🛬 Global technology provider Etraveli Group and Mastercard Gateway have partnered to enhance fraud prevention in the travel industry. This collaboration integrates Etraveli's PRECISION, a travel-focused risk management solution, with Mastercard's secure global payments network. PRECISION handles multibillion-dollar transactions in over 200 territories and supports over 30 payment methods. The partnership aims to deliver accurate fraud detection and seamless payment experiences, empowering travel merchants globally and reducing fraud-related challenges.

Amadeus to expand its global youth…

📈 Amadeus and the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance are expanding their Employability Program to boost youth employment. Starting April, 200 young people in Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, and Delhi will benefit from skills training. The program, active also in Egypt and Sri Lanka, has already impacted over 6,000 graduates. Amadeus provides financial support and mentoring. This collaborative initiative aims to dismantle employment barriers, especially for women, and promote inclusivity in the hospitality sector.

AirHelp reveals top Irish airports and…

✈️ In July and August 2024, over 26,500 flights departed Irish airports, with 29% facing disruptions. Ireland West Airport Knock had a 44% disruption rate, while Dublin Airport saw 70% on-time departures, with 53,000 passengers eligible for EC 261 compensation. Potential rule changes could reduce compensation-eligible passengers by 60%. Cork to Amsterdam flights had a 95% punctuality rate, while flights to Adnan Menderes Airport faced 57% disruptions. Nordic destinations showed fewer disruptions with up to 86% on-time flights.

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