Innovation

🏖️ Lastminute.com partners with fintech company Zilch to launch Zilch Travel, a platform for flexible travel bookings and payments. The partnership leverages lastminute.com's Dynamic Packages technology and connects to its API and incentive platform, Roiward. Users can earn 3% rewards on trips, with interest-free payment options over six weeks or three months. In 2023, UK consumers spent over £72 billion on overseas holidays. Zilch's Pay over 3 Months product has driven sales on its platform to over £3.6 billion and doubled its revenues for three consecutive years.

📅 Not Just Travel invests £2.1 million to grant its 650+ consultants free access to TProfile's Quotation Tool. The tool, costing £1,000/year per consultant, enhances efficiency, client engagement, and conversion rates. Announced at the 2025 Annual Conference in Wolverhampton, the investment follows a successful trial and substantial improvements in conversion rates. The tool allows easy creation and sharing of travel proposals, boosting profitability and marking a long-term partnership with TProfile, aiming to become their biggest client.

📅 Nium, a cross-border payments company, launches the Diners Club International Card for travel customers, joining the ranks of global card issuers offering cards across Visa, Mastercard, UATP, and Discover schemes. Diners Club International, as part of the Discover Global Network, is accepted at over 55 million merchants and 1.2 million ATMs and provides access to more than 1,500 airport lounges. The card enhances Nium's virtual card offering and its 'closed-loop' B2B payment method, expanding its payment solutions in over 220 markets globally. The service is available internationally.

🍺 HTeaO, an iced tea franchise, partnered with Detroit Labs, Paytronix, and Growth Factor to launch a new technology suite, including a mobile app with DoorDash delivery, Apple Pay, and customizable orders. The Paytronix-powered loyalty program offers 2 Points per dollar, with rewards ranging from 50% off a tea to a free gallon or coffee for 50-100 Points. The redesigned website features store locators and enhanced e-commerce. To promote the launch, HTeaO is giving a free Huge Tea to new app loyalty members.

🍷 HTeaO, an iced tea franchise, has launched a new technology suite with Detroit Labs, Paytronix, and Growth Factor. The suite includes a custom mobile app, loyalty program, and redesigned website. The app offers pick-up, curbside service, and DoorDash delivery, plus Apple Pay. The Paytronix-powered loyalty program gives 2 Points per dollar, with 50 Points for 50% off tea, 75 for a free cup or mini gallon, and 100 for a gallon or coffee. A free Huge Tea is offered for app downloads and loyalty sign-ups.

🏨 Cloudbeds, headquartered in San Diego, CA, received five top honors in the 2025 HotelTechAwards: Best Hotel Management Software, Property Management System Finalist, Channel Manager Finalist, Top 10 People’s Choice, and Overall 10 Best Places to Work. As a seven-time winner, Cloudbeds is a highly-rated vendor by thousands of customers on HotelTechReport. CEO Adam Harris highlights their focus on delivering enterprise-grade technology. Annually, 2.5 million hotel industry professionals use HotelTechReport.com, with award winners selected based on verified user feedback from over 120 countries.

💰 Washington, D.C.-based deli Call Your Mother partnered with Invus through Artal Group for an undisclosed investment to expand its footprint. The company maintains leadership with cofounders CEO Andrew Dana and executive chef Daniela Moreira, featured in NRN's Power List in 2022. Call Your Mother operates 17 locations offering Jewish deli classics with a modern twist. Plans include a new commissary in D.C., technology upgrades, an app, and expansion to a third market. Invus previously invested in CAVA Group in 2015 and partners with SeoulSpice and Hattie B's. Advisors for the deal were Harrington Park Advisors and Blank Rome for Call Your Mother, and Patterson Belknap and BDO for Invus.

🛒 A recent study indicates that 60% of AI deployments in the hospitality industry's contact centers are considered "low maturity," focusing on automation and cost reduction rather than enhancing customer experience. This trend affects guest satisfaction, as evidenced by 42% of contact centers struggling with high agent turnover, 39% facing employee burnout, 31% dealing with fragmented tools and data, and 20% experiencing long customer wait times. Mature AI deployments see 68% increases in upsell and cross-sell rates, 66% reduction in customer acquisition costs, and 64% improvement in revenue per interaction. High-maturity AI is crucial for personalized service and efficient operations.