Travolution

📍 HBX Group, a B2B travel tech ecosystem supplier, has partnered with travel insurance provider battleface to expand into Fintech and Insurtech offerings globally. HBX Group clients, including travel agencies, tour operators, and online travel distributors, can now access highly customizable insurance products available to residents in over 180 countries. The initial rollout targets the EU, UK, US, Canada, Mexico, and Australia, with Latin America and Asia to follow. Daniel Nordholm, HBX Group's chief product and new business officer, underscored the partnership's role in transforming travel and enhancing customer experience. Sasha Gainullin, CEO of battleface, highlighted the scalability and personalization of their products through technology.

📱 Slice Mobile, the UK's first eSIM-only network, launched offering app-based services, monthly rolling plans with unlimited talk and text, EU roaming, and starting at £10 per month. Founding customers, or "Slicers," receive 20% annual cashback and a chance to win a £30k house deposit. Customers are invited to co-create the network, with votes on features and naming decisions. A 7-day free trial is available to new customers, aiming for a community of co-owners.

📢 Custom Travel Solutions (CTS) announces new Membership Engagement team aimed at increasing B2C user engagement. The team's purpose is to boost frequent usage, travel savings, and support recurring revenue. Mike Putman, CEO & Founder, emphasizes the critical role of member engagement in successful membership organizations and loyalty programs. Corlia Mocke, with a decade of experience and a Bachelor of Commerce, and Amina Mazhar, with over a decade in B2B strategy, join the CTS team. CTS focuses on optimized marketing campaigns for client sales and B2B marketing strategy. Future expansions and hires are anticipated.

🏗 B2B travel tech startups don't need to chase unicorn status; bootstrapping can lead to success with the right market fit, a recurring customer base, and profitability. Bootstrapped companies like HotelPORT focus on customer needs, efficient client acquisition, long-term contracts, predictable revenue streams, and strategic investments, allowing them to grow sustainably without needing billion-dollar valuations. Solid business fundamentals, rather than rapid, venture capital-driven growth, can build resilient, impactful businesses in the travel tech industry.