Miscellaneous

✈️ TPConnects Technologies expanded Iris, its air content aggregation platform, in May 2023. Iris integrates all four GDS—Amadeus, Sabre, Travelport, and Abacus—and over 60 airlines, including easyJet and Cathay Pacific. It centralizes NDC, LCC, and GDS content, offering a unified workflow for travel sellers. This platform, available via web portal or API, improves productivity and commercial control in a fragmented airline retail landscape, aiming to adapt to evolving distribution methods.

📖 AAHOA, led by President & CEO Laura Lee Blake, ESQ., will gather in Philadelphia this April. Philadelphia, a city symbolizing new beginnings, is especially significant as America nears its 250th anniversary. This meeting aligns with the city's historical importance in shaping the nation's future.

📅 AAHOA has over 20,000 members as of April. In 2023, the AAHOA Convention & Trade Show will be hosted in Los Angeles, California, from April 11-14. The association has organized 100 regional events across the U.S. for networking and education. AAHOA supports advocacy efforts on behalf of hotel owners and offers training resources for over 1,200 hotel properties. They have successfully conducted over 300 webinars, reaching more than 10,000 participants.

💸 Hotels are shifting to membership models, offering commission-free bookings. This trend sees properties aiming to strengthen direct guest relationships and reduce reliance on online travel agencies (OTAs). By bypassing OTA fees, hotels can increase profitability and provide enhanced guest experiences. As of now, there's a push across the industry to embrace this model, transforming how bookings are managed and guest loyalty is nurtured.

💸 Travel startups saw a decrease in total investment in Q1 2026 compared to Q1 2025. Series A rounds were predominant.