Innovation

📅 Industry powerhouses Amit Rahav, Leah Rankin, Martin Soler, Frank Trampert, Jens Egemalm, and Jan Popovic discuss AI and real-time data transforming travel booking in a LinkedIn Live session. Moderated by Enzo Aita, the event covers AI-native booking experiences, effective hyper-personalization, and strategies for hoteliers and tech players to avoid obsolescence. Join from anywhere to witness tomorrow’s booking battlefield strategy and technology fusion.

🤖 HyperGuest hosted a #LinkedInLive event on the Future of #TravelBooking, AI, and Hyper-personalization. Jens Egemalm noted the hospitality industry's slow tech adoption, with AI expected to enhance operations, not replace jobs. Martin Soler highlighted AI's current limitations in manual tasks. Amy Read stated around 40% of travelers use AI for hotel research, with nearly 50% trusting AI recommendations. Leah Rankin emphasized AI's role in enhancing hospitality. All speakers agreed on the inevitable AI revolution. ????

🗺 June 26 @ 2:00 PM CET, a LinkedInLive event titled "The Future of Travel Booking: AI-Powered, Instant, and Hyper-Personalized" will take place. Industry leaders from HyperGuest, Sabre Corporation, SiteMinder, Pandox, Soler & Associates, and inHotel will discuss how AI and real-time data are revolutionizing hotel bookings. The discussion aims to help hotels appear in AI search results, currently dominated by OTAs. Don't miss this #HospitalityInnovation event!

💻 In June 2025, Lighthouse launched Connect AI, an AI engine to bridge hotels and AI travel platforms. Hotels face missed opportunities without AI strategies, as no hotel brand ranks in the top 10 AI-driven travel search results. Fast AI adoption is evident, with ChatGPT reaching 100 million users in three months. Phocuswright reports 50% of travelers plan to use generative AI for leisure travel in the next year. Connect AI enhances hotel discoverability, offering personalized travel recommendations.

🛳 Traveltek and Traverse Automation are launching AIVA, an AI-powered cruise booking assistant, in July 2025. AIVA processes natural language queries, providing personalized cruise quotes in under three seconds. Currently in BETA, it will be available exclusively via iSell Connect. The system analyzes over 1,000 options simultaneously, simplifying complex searches for agents. This innovation aims to enhance service and competitiveness by bridging the gap in instant, personalized customer service.

💻 HBX Group, a B2B travel technology marketplace, partners with Wallbid, backed by Fairfax, to offer Cybersential, a cyber risk assessment service. Available to European hospitality businesses, it identifies vulnerabilities, aids compliance, and offers cyber insurance. With rising cyber threats, hotels can secure digital operations, protect guest data, and maintain compliance. HBX's initiative reflects the need for cyber resilience as hotels digitize. Interested partners can access the service through HBX Group's platform.

✈️ ECTAA partners with Travel Ledger to modernize European travel payments. This initiative aims to adopt secure digital payment strategies, cutting costs and risks linked to traditional methods. Travel Ledger's platform enhances efficiency by automating settlements and transactions. The partnership involves national travel associations and industry stakeholders promoting best practices, with activities including webinars and industry events. Leaders Eric Drésin and Roberto Da Re highlight the benefits for travel businesses across Europe.

🛑 June 18 marks China’s 618 Shopping Day, the second-biggest online shopping event of the year. Gareth Matthews, Dida’s CMO, emphasizes that this day triggers Chinese consumers' travel planning. Ignoring it means missing opportunities in the Chinese market. Hotels can gain by offering exclusive deals and flexible cancellations. Travel platforms must use AI for hyper-relevant itineraries. Destinations should align with the Chinese travel calendar for greater impact. Key to success: adapting to Chinese consumer behaviors and important dates.

🚀 Mozio and GoNexus Group partner to offer a unified solution, expanding B2B ground transport access worldwide. NexusCube, GoNexus's B2B marketplace, integrates Mozio's supplier network, covering 3,500 airports in 180 countries, and benefits from Mozio's API connectivity. The collaboration offers 17,000 B2B travel buyers enhanced access to diverse transportation services. Powered by Juniper Travel Technology, this partnership simplifies transportation globally, enhancing service offerings. Nicole Kerr and Roberto Bermúdez highlight the strategic significance and seamless integration.

💰 Revenue Analytics acquires Climber, a Portugal-based RMS company. With Climber's 30% annual growth and strong presence in Brazil and Latin America, this move enhances Revenue Analytics' reach in Europe and Latin America. The acquisition expands its global portfolio to over 10,000 hotels. Climber's self-learning pricing platform and CMS tool will join Revenue Analytics, aiming to democratize revenue management. A new office in Portugal will support this strategic growth.