Travel Weekly Group Ltd - 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers - Page 57

2 min

Travel tech company Open Destinations teams…

💸 UK-based Open Destinations, founded in 1998, provides reservation tech and services globally, serving 75 customers in 30 countries with 650 staff. Insight Partners, a global software investor, made a strategic growth investment. Open Destinations' products, Travel Studio and Rail Studio, serve companies like Emirates and Orient Express. Insight’s Michael Shephard and Peter Segall join the board. Kevin O’Sullivan and John Davies of Open Destinations see the investment as a new growth chapter.

2 min

HiJiffy’s white paper reveals where…

💻 HiJiffy survey shows AI is reshaping hospitality: 86% of hotel professionals report time savings through automation, notably in handling FAQs and routine tasks, based on data from 16 million guest messages. Over 26% find repetitive questions tedious. The report, featuring insights from Mews, Oaky, and Bookline, explores balancing AI and human touch. Special requests and personal interactions should remain human-led. A practical AI Readiness Checklist aids hoteliers in evaluating strategies.

1 min

Transfeero expands its international network

🚌 Transfeero is expanding to Tenerife South, Girona, Paros, and Perugia, enhancing its presence in high-tourism areas in Spain, Greece, and Italy. Over five years, the company has quickly adapted to diverse mobility needs in urban, island, and regional areas. These destinations were selected for their strategic value and growth potential. Marzia Bernardini, Head of Customer Service, emphasizes the importance of constant customer support. Transfeero aims for sustainable network expansion, balancing efficiency and customer relationships.

2 min

NaviSavi CEO joins ‘ThinkTank’ panel at…

📈 Sally Bunnell, founder and CEO of NaviSavi, speaks at the TravelTech Show 2025 in London. She joins a panel about the future of travel tech, moderated by Charlotte Lamp Davies. The event includes over 100 tech suppliers and features discussions on AI, geopolitics, and sustainability. NaviSavi, recognized for innovation, won awards at events in Lisbon and Seville. Bunnell, a 2020 PhocusWright Young Industry Leader, spoke at 20+ events globally this year.

2 min

Taipei Songshan Airport reimagines the…

✈️ Passengers at Taipei Songshan Airport (TSA) will soon enjoy a streamlined check-in experience with SITA technology. By 2025, the airport will implement SITA’s Flex platform, Smart Path kiosks, and Self Bag Drop, cutting baggage processing time by up to 80% and reducing check-in to 70 seconds. The Asia Pacific region is seeing a 7.9% passenger growth, making these innovations crucial for handling increased traffic efficiently.

2 min

14 mayors gather in Paris in a united call…

🌎 Ten years after the Paris Climate Agreement at COP21, global leaders reunited at Paris City Hall. They aim to transition climate talks from negotiation to delivery, preceding COP30 in Belém, Brazil. By 2050, 70% of the world's population will live in cities, producing over 80% of emissions. C40 Cities, including 100 global cities, are outpacing national governments in emission reductions. The upcoming COP30 is seen as crucial for reaching 2030 climate goals on energy, equity, and resilience.

2 min

Emerging Travel Group appoint new lead for…

🗺 Emerging Travel Group appointed Astrid Kastberg as Managing Director of RateHawk. ???? Based in Dubai, she will lead the B2B division supporting 110,000 retail and 1,100 API partners. ???? In 2024, the group hit a $3.7 billion gross transaction value with RateHawk's net booking value rising 1.8 times and a 67% global booking growth. ???? The group employs 3,600+ people in 80 countries with offices in Dubai, Wilmington, Singapore, London, Berlin, Lisbon, Warsaw, and Limassol.

2 min

Holidaymakers embrace last-minute planning,…

📱 Net Affinity's data for Q1 2025 reveals a 7% rise in smartphone bookings in the UK, USA, and Republic of Ireland. In April 2025, 59% of Irish bookings were made via smartphones, up from 52% in 2024. Last-minute bookings (within 7 days) increased by 4%. While Irish-originating bookings fell by 2%, UK and Northern Ireland saw a 7% rise, and USA bookings dropped by 4%. Mobile optimization remains crucial for hotels.

2 min

Pax2Pay rolls out Visa Commercial Choice…

💳 Pax2Pay and Visa launch the Visa Commercial Choice Travel Program to modernize payments in the travel sector. This virtual card solution, backed by Visa’s secure infrastructure, enables seamless, efficient supplier payments for online travel agents. The collaboration underscores a shared commitment to innovation in travel payments, leveraging fintech for enhanced security and user experience. This strategic partnership highlights the ambition to empower travel businesses with reliable, scalable payment solutions.

2 min

Majority of travellers prefer experiences…

📅 68% of travellers now favor hotels offering personalized experiences over traditional loyalty programs. Among Gen Z, this preference rises to 83%. A Mews survey found 71% of high-income earners also value tailored experiences. Only 24% of travellers find hotel rewards most valuable. Frustrations with traditional programs include quick expiration (28%) and blackout dates (24%). 88% will return with consistent service, while poor service (62%) deters loyalty. Hospitality must transition from transactions to personal connections.

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