Travel Weekly Group Ltd

🤖 2025, Boom introduces BAM, the first Business Agentic Manager targeting the Short-Term Rental industry, enhancing autonomy and efficiency. The innovation follows a $12.7 million funding round led by Avenue Growth Partners. BAM automates 75% of guest communications and completes 100% of review management autonomously. Report times drop from hours to under a minute. The shift to Business as a Software (BAaS) allows property managers to focus on growth and strategy, boosting satisfaction and retention.

🗺️ Dida Holdings, a leading AI-driven travel tech group, unveiled a new structure to unify its brands under Travel, Technology, and New Ventures. Following Daryl Lee's appointment as CEO in October, the company aims to be the top travel ecosystem partner using AI and automation. Core divisions—Dida Hotels, Flights, Go, and Experiences—will expand globally. Operating across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, Dida focuses on AI in pricing, connectivity, and sustainability.

🛫 As of 2025, 60% of travelers use AI responses for travel planning on Google. Google’s AI Mode, launched earlier this year, enables dynamic searches like “family-friendly tours in Costa Rica.” Less than 10% of bookings via AI Mode go through traditional OTAs, versus 56% directly with hotels. AI recommendations score over 4.3 out of 5 in trust. Average query lengths have doubled, emphasizing conversational searches. Propellic advises adapting strategies for AI-driven travel planning.

💻 Focus Group has launched Hospitality Cyber, a modular cybersecurity framework for hotels, restaurants, and venues via its Focus on Hospitality division, supporting 200+ UK businesses. This service targets rising cyber threats like phishing and fake OTA campaigns, especially with digital check-ins and cloud PMS. The platform integrates 24/7 SOC, Cyber Essentials, and ZTNA to secure connections, ensuring compliance with GDPR and PCI DSS. Monthly vulnerability scans and advanced email protection enhance security measures.

💻 Simpson Travel launches the 'Dreamcrafter' holiday finder, a pioneering AI tool, in October 2025. This innovation helps agents find the perfect villa or boutique hotel for clients, offering a personalized, image-led experience. Clients search using terms like 'best infinity pools' or 'uninterrupted sea views.' Managing Director Ed Pyke emphasizes the tool's focus on subjective preferences, enhancing the decision-making process. Head of Trade Sales, Hannah Naylor-Vane, highlights its usefulness for agents and client interaction.