Innovation

✈ Royal Air Maroc (RAM) partners with Amadeus to expedite its digital transformation, deploying Amadeus Reference Experience for modernizing digital services, enhancing customer satisfaction, and improving loyalty. The new app offers end-to-end flight bookings, check-ins, and solutions for disruptions. RAM aims to serve all customer segments globally by 2037, with plans to expand its fleet beyond 50 aircraft and accommodate 32 million passengers annually. CEO Hamid Addou emphasizes technology's critical role in RAM's strategic overhaul.

📌 Sabre Hospitality, a hospitality tech provider, collaborates with Protect Group to integrate trip guarantee services into its SynXis Booking Engine. This partnership aims to advance retailing and travel-centric eCommerce capabilities, enhancing customer confidence and security during booking. Ethan Wiseman, Head of Distribution at Sabre Hospitality, and Stuart Barclay, CRO of Protect Group, underscore the commitment to improving guest experiences and providing innovative solutions to hotel partners.

📅 Fareportal integrates ATPCO's new Routehappy content, enhancing customer service by displaying detailed visuals of airline seats. ATPCO's survey shows 83% of shoppers pay for seat selection, 80% prefer visual seat representation. Fareportal's president, Glenn Cusano, acknowledges positive user reception on CheapOair and OneTravel, with IATA seat characteristic codes aiding visuals. ATPCO's Darie Dreptate highlights the consumer experience leap with this innovative display.

📱 Palantir Technologies Inc. partners with Wendy’s Quality Supply Chain Co-op to implement AI and transform operations. QSCC, serving over 6,400 Wendy's across the U.S. and Canada, is the second largest buying cooperative in the QSR industry. The initiative will include moving to Palantir’s AI Platform for enhanced decision-making and developing AI-driven supply chain management solutions, aiming to generate cost savings and efficiencies. The partnership underscores Wendy’s commitment to data-driven business strategies and positions the brand at the forefront of industry innovation.

📈 Over 50 tourism leaders will attend the Ministers’ Summit at the World Travel Market in London from November 5-7, 2024, focusing on AI's impact on tourism. The 18th annual event, in partnership with UNTourism and WTTC, will include discussions on ethical AI use and bridging the digital divide, moderated by a BBC journalist. World Travel Market London's Exhibition Director Juliette Losardo highlights the summit's role in shaping the tourism industry’s future.

💸 A study by GBTA and Cvent reveals a significant potential for integrating AI and blockchain in corporate travel, with 88% of TMCs, 74% of suppliers, and 59% of buyers confident in their tech use. Technology spend is expected to remain flat, yet most suppliers and TMCs anticipate increased investment, compared to only 36% of buyers. On average, 18% of travel program budgets are allocated to technology, with European buyers more likely to increase tech spending than North American counterparts. Data was collected from 388 North American and European travel professionals between February 6-19, 2024.

📱 TripAdvisor partners with HTS (Hopper Technology Solutions) to introduce in-app hotel booking exclusively for logged-in members, enhancing its travel platform offerings. By teaming up with HTS, TripAdvisor leverages robust distribution technology and hotel inventory for an improved travel planning experience. This move, following the AI Trip Builder launch earlier in the year, aims to provide TripAdvisor’s engaged members with more value, in-app rewards, and incentives. The partnership was announced with the aim to make the TripAdvisor app an indispensable tool for travelers.

🏨 Liverpool-based tech start-up Digitaltravel.io celebrated its third year with over £1 million in annual revenue, a significant growth from £250k in its first year. Established from a merger, the company expanded its team from five to 14 and increased its client base to 67, 59% of whom are international. Office space doubled to support growth, reflecting a 98% client retention rate and strategic partnerships, like that with Traveltek. Digitaltravel.io has earned accolades including the Travolution awards and the Tech Climbers list in 2023 and 2024.

🏨 H.I.S., a leading Japanese travel agency, extends its 14-year partnership with IBS Software to modernize air shopping. The collaboration focuses on leveraging AI and Machine Learning for automation to enhance customer personalization and targeted offers. Executive Officer Kiyoshi Takano emphasizes the importance of Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) and building lasting relationships. IBS Software's Global Head of Consulting and Digital Transformation, Moizzur Rahman, highlights keeping customers central to the travel experience.

🌍 Global start-up Wanderboat, founded by AI experts from companies like Microsoft and Meta, launches a new AI application to transform travel planning. The app provides personalized journey guidance with intuitive chat and visual travel maps, integrating various content like websites, videos, and reviews. It caters to both early planners and spontaneous travelers, offering detailed itineraries and real-time location-based suggestions. Wanderboat aims to encourage exploration and reduce planning stress, featuring a user community for experience sharing.