Travel Weekly Group Ltd

📈 BWH Hotels GB, with over 230 independent UK hoteliers, is launching a redesigned website aimed at reducing OTA reliance. The platform promises faster load times, simpler bookings, and better image functionality, leveraging cloud-based technology. It supports hotel and regional marketing, with future AI integration. Expected outcomes include improved conversion rates and organic traffic. Angela Burns, CEO of Webb Hotel Group Ltd, highlights the importance of this upgrade for streamlining operations and enhancing guest experiences. Globally, BWH Hotels spans over 100 countries with 4,200 hotels.

🏨 Travel tech startup Speakspots.com launches a white-label AI agent for hotels, automating guest communications and driving revenue via WhatsApp. Initially tested at ARTIEM Asturias, this service is expanding to ARTIEM Carlos in Menorca. It offers real-time, personalized recommendations, overcoming language barriers and roaming fees. The AI agent also books restaurants and activities, aiming to boost local businesses. The pilot showed increased guest spending, covering 20% of its operating costs. This innovative solution targets rural, high-end hotels.

📈 Shiji launched its 2025/2026 Hospitality Distribution Technology Chart, marking its 10th anniversary. This edition introduces new sections: Marketplace, Social Media with Booking, and Upselling, highlighting non-traditional booking channels. Key trends: social media as booking engine, AI integration, and demand for open APIs. Platforms like Douyin and WeChat feature in new categories. The chart, initiated in 2015, helps hoteliers understand evolving tech landscapes, with input from global experts.

💻 Ice Travel Group (ITG) launched HolidayConnect at the Icetank in London, allowing influencers and brands to create custom holiday searches. The platform, utilizing ITG's proprietary tech, offers access to over 2 billion holiday deals monthly from 88% of the UK's ATOL-protected providers. Partners can integrate the tech into their sites without complex processes, earning commissions on referrals. Chelsea Dickenson of HolidayExpert.com is the first publisher to use HolidayConnect.

🛂 Europe reduced mishandling to 12.3 bags per 1,000 passengers in 2025, a 26% improvement from 2007. Globally, mishandling fell to 6.3 per 1,000 passengers, with 33.4 million bags mishandled in 2024. Over 66% were resolved within 48 hours. The baggage mishandling cost $5 billion in 2024. In 2024, 42% of passengers had real-time baggage updates. Airlines now offer 66% automated bag drop. Apple's Share Item Location was integrated with SITA WorldTracer for faster recovery.

📶 French travel eSIM provider Kolet raised $10 million in Series A funding led by Daphni, with participation from former Expedia CEO Peter Kern and ex-Apple VP Jon Gieselman. Founded in 2024, Kolet partners with airlines like Air France and KLM. The funding includes €1 million from Bpifrance to enhance its app and eSIM ease of use. Kolet plans to hire 10 more employees over 12 months. The eSIM offers affordable connectivity in 190+ countries.

🚀 Airports and airlines can now benefit from SITA MIFI, a new mobile Wi-Fi service providing fast and secure connectivity for air transport. Launched worldwide, it offers flexible solutions for tarmacs, cargo areas, and emergencies, addressing challenges like bandwidth limits and system outages. SITA MIFI supports 4G and 5G, includes satellite capabilities, and enhances security with SSE technologies. It reduces costs and speeds up deployment, ensuring smoother operations with 24/7 managed support.

🌎 Secret Atlas has unveiled a new brand identity and website for the 2025 Arctic cruise season. Designed by Nick Steyn of Anew, the London-based branding agency, in collaboration with SO Creative, the website offers an improved booking system and features an earthy color palette. The rebrand emphasizes the "big adventure, small footprint" ethos of Secret Atlas's small-group cruises. The site includes an Explorer’s Handbook and highlights team members for a personalized experience.