Travel Weekly Group Ltd

🛫 Global Travel Collection (GTC) launched Atlas, an AI platform developed with Microsoft, to enhance itinerary planning. It aims to save 1.5 million hours annually for over 1,500 luxury travel advisors globally. Atlas integrates diverse travel systems, reducing planning time by up to three hours. Security features include GDPR and PCI compliance. GTC is exploring monetisation by featuring preferred partners within Atlas for high-end leisure, corporate, and entertainment clients.

🚗 Blacklane and Lucid Group collaborate to expand premium EV transportation in Saudi Arabia. By 2025, Blacklane aims to double operations in key cities like Riyadh and Jeddah. Lucid’s vehicles, including the Lucid Air sedan and Lucid Gravity SUV, will join Blacklane’s service. The partnership will enhance EV charging infrastructure, aligning with Vision 2030. Dr. Jens Wohltorf, Blacklane CEO, highlights the venture's sustainable mobility commitment. Lucid’s Faisal Sultan emphasizes pioneering future mobility in the Kingdom.

💸 Of 4,000 business travelers surveyed, 83% struggle with expense reconciliation, and 26% use personal credit cards for large purchases, with 28% facing delayed reimbursements. Nearly 19% are unsure about reimbursable items, and 25% worry about overspending. Automated processes are favored by 24% of employees. A third (36%) book through consumer platforms, and 25% lose receipts. Automating expense processes can reduce report entry time from 10-15 minutes to 10 seconds, saving significant time.

📈 Mews' AI-powered Smart Tips is transforming hotel operations globally, with over 5 million weekly views. At Boardwalk Boutique Hotel Aruba, this tool is enhancing guest experiences and loyalty. Trisha Reinkemeyer notes its efficiency in personalizing service, like recalling guest preferences. Auberge St Pol in Belgium reports improved guest interactions from AI Smart Tips, which centralizes guest data in the PMS and Reservation calendar, saving time and streamlining workflows for hotel staff.