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Travel Weekly Group Ltd

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Ripe expands into holiday homes insurance

📈 Digital MGA Ripe, in 2025, acquired Schofields Limited, a holiday homes insurance specialist, marking Ripe's first entry into this market. Schofields, established in 1984 in Bolton, serves over 10,000 policyholders and recently won a Gold Trusted Service Award. The Schofield family continues to lead, with Keith Schofield as a consultant. Ripe aims to expand Schofields' growth using its technology and marketing expertise.
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H10 Hotels now officially part of Emerging…

📅 Emerging Travel Group (ETG) partners with H10 Hotels Group to offer over 65 H10 properties directly to ETG's 20 million monthly users. H10 Hotels, known for premium seafront and all-inclusive resorts, operate in 25 destinations, including Spain, Italy, and the Caribbean. This integration, facilitated by Connectycs, aims to boost booking management and visibility. Spain leads ETG's platform bookings, with a 25% year-on-year increase. Victoria Shamshurova emphasizes the milestone's significance in expanding quality accommodation options.
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eDreams ODIGEO subscriber base up by a fifth

💰 Popular travel platform eDreams ODIGEO recorded an 18% increase in Prime membership in the first half of 2026, reaching 7.7 million members. The company added 1.2 million new members in the past year, with 457,000 net additions in the first half. This resulted in a 16% rise in profitability, hitting €94 million. CEO Dana Dunne highlighted the platform's unique value and shareholder benefits. A new plan aims to boost Prime membership growth through 2030.
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OTAs overtake search engines for sourcing…

🌎 In 2026, 26% of global travelers start hotel searches on OTAs, up from 18% in 2025, surpassing search engines which fell to 21% from 36%. In the UK, 26% use OTAs, rising from 16% in 2024, while 24% use search engines, down from 40%. AI use for travel planning rose to 4%, with 80% of travelers seeking AI features like price alerts. Dynamic pricing is supported by 65% globally and 55% in the UK.
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Protect Group rolls out new platform

💸 Protect Group has launched the Agent Platform, a tool enabling offline travel agents to sell refund protection without technical integration. It offers a new revenue stream and commission structure for agents. Offline bookings, crucial in sectors like cruises where 80% of transactions occur, now benefit from refund protection capabilities. Stephen Joyce emphasizes this platform's importance in meeting demand for booking flexibility. Currently, it’s being introduced to selected agencies, with broader access planned.
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World-first biometric corridors at scale…

🛰 Indonesia's Directorate General of Immigration has launched the world's first large-scale biometric corridors at Jakarta and Surabaya airports. Part of the 'All Indonesia' initiative, this technology from Amadeus uses AI-enabled biometrics for seamless border crossing, initially aiding elderly and disabled travelers. The system supports 220,000 Hajj pilgrims by verifying identities in motion, enhancing travel efficiency. The collaboration includes Amadeus and Sinergi Teknoglobal Perkasa, aiming to empower local teams with technology transfer.
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More than 1,400 hosts find AI ‘overwhelming’

📈 Hosts in the short-term rental industry are spending 8.3 hours/week managing listings, with AI aiding only 14% as of 2025. Despite AI's promise, 47% find it overwhelming. Administrative tasks consume time for 76%, and 72% are bogged down by property servicing. Only 10% plan to invest in cleaning tech, while 48% still use spreadsheets. Airbnb use remains high at 98%, with a satisfaction score of 4.1/5. Direct bookings are emphasized by 90% of hosts for future investment.
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Emirates and ENOC Group sign MoU

🚀 Emirates and ENOC Group signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the Dubai Airshow to explore Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) initiatives at Dubai Hub. The partnership aims to address supply chain and infrastructure needs, with a goal of supplying 1% of jet fuel from locally produced SAF by 2031. SAF can reduce lifecycle emissions by up to 80% and be blended with conventional fuel. This collaboration supports UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 ambition.
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Direct Travel forecasts business trends for…

🛫 By 2026, Direct Travel predicts a transformation in business travel, emphasizing people-centered experiences. CEO Christal Bemont highlights a shift from transactions to meaningful journeys, using AI, data, and technology to personalize travel. Trust in data usage and agentic AI will become crucial. Loyalty programs will innovate, moving beyond financial models. The role of travel experts will be enhanced by AI, focussing on empathy and precision. Voice-enabled assistants will predict and resolve needs seamlessly.
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