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Stay up to date with the latest travel technology news, startup updates, and industry developments from across the global travel ecosystem.

Why travel startups need to think about the 80/20 rule
News / Distribution
Why travel startups need to think about the 80/20 rule
By Viewpoints | April 19, 2016
If there is one thing I underestimated about travel that would be: “travel inequality”. What is it? Well, it turns out that minority of travelers does the majority of trips. NB: This is a viewpoint... Read More
Steadily-growing Citymaps adds offline navigation to its mobile app
News / Technology
Steadily-growing Citymaps adds offline navigation to its mobile app
By Rob Lovitt | April 19, 2016
In a world in which the words “Google” and “Maps” are inextricably linked in the minds of many travelers, is there a space for a small player promising a more social, more immersive navigational exper... Read More
Relux, a Japanese booking site, nabs $4.5 million in funding
News
Relux, a Japanese booking site, nabs $4.5 million in funding
By Sean O'Neil | April 18, 2016
Loco Partners, a Tokyo-based startup that runs Relux, a membership-based accommodation booking site, has secured 500 million yen (or about US$4.5 million) in funding, led by KDDI Open Innovation Fund,... Read More
Kayak moves into restaurant search, makes a u-turn on activities
News / Distribution
Kayak moves into restaurant search, makes a u-turn on activities
By Kevin May | April 18, 2016
Kayak has confirmed it will soon be launching products for travellers looking for places to eat, and tours and activities. The things-to-do channel will launch with a number of supply partners incl... Read More
Cvent, the meetings tech provider, is acquired for $1.65 billion by Vista
News
Cvent, the meetings tech provider, is acquired for $1.65 billion by Vista
By Sean O'Neil | April 18, 2016
Cvent, the software-as-a-service provider of technology for managing meetings and events, will be acquired by affiliates of Vista Equity Partners, a private-equity firm. The all-cash deal for all o... Read More
Airbnb continues to build presence in India
News / Distribution
Airbnb continues to build presence in India
By Martin Cowen | April 18, 2016
Airbnb has announced a strategic partnership with India's largest media conglomerate The Times Group. Some reports in media outlets owned by the Times Group say that its investment arm - Times Glob... Read More
Edge Retreats raises $1 million to expand luxury rental platform
News
Edge Retreats raises $1 million to expand luxury rental platform
By Kevin May | April 18, 2016
Investors seem to be at the stage of backing niches within a niche, especially within the burgeoning sector of the moment: vacation rentals. Edge Retreats, a UK-based startup which features only lu... Read More
Hotel technology neglects design thinking at its peril
News / Online
Hotel technology neglects design thinking at its peril
By Viewpoints | April 15, 2016
When you venture into the back-of-the-house in hotels, it’s surprising to encounter a battlefield of broken furniture, soiled linens, battered walls, and employees who look like they haven’t seen the... Read More
Hipmunk gets another $6 million in capital
News / Online
Hipmunk gets another $6 million in capital
By Kevin May | April 15, 2016
Flight and hotel metasearch brand Hipmunk has raised $6 million in venture funding, two years on from its large $20 million round. The company says it will not disclose any details regarding the ro... Read More
TripAdvisor claims $478 billion boost to travel economy from reviews
News / Online
TripAdvisor claims $478 billion boost to travel economy from reviews
By Kevin May | April 15, 2016
Bragging rights for the week go to TripAdvisor, which has made some massive claims as to its ability to generate money for local economies and the industry. The user review giant says during 2014 i... Read More
EU directive tells airlines to hand passenger data to authorities
News / Distribution
EU directive tells airlines to hand passenger data to authorities
By Linda Fox | April 15, 2016
Members of the European Parliament have approved a directive whereby airlines will pass passenger information, via the passenger name record (PNR), to the authorities. The information is for passen... Read More
HomeToGo secures $20 million to boost vacation rental metasearch
News / Distribution
HomeToGo secures $20 million to boost vacation rental metasearch
By Kevin May | April 15, 2016
Vacation rental metasearch service HomeToGo has caught the eye of Insight Venture Partners - winning a $20 million Series B round. The Germany-based company has also wooed interest from DN Capital... Read More
Airbnb hosts get destination guide building service
News / Online
Airbnb hosts get destination guide building service
By Kevin May | April 15, 2016
The idea of "living like a local" is, in reality, a fallacy - a local often has far more mundane and real-life things to do than experience their own city. But the rise of so-called sharing economy... Read More
Five tech metrics for hotel distribution that shouldn't be overlooked
News / Distribution
Five tech metrics for hotel distribution that shouldn't be overlooked
By Viewpoints | April 15, 2016
It’s widely understood that hotel distribution is technology-intensive and that business opportunities can be missed — sometimes without even knowing it. NB: This is a guest viewpoint from Matthew... Read More
Events and attractions market themselves with virtual reality
News / Technology
Events and attractions market themselves with virtual reality
By Kevin May | April 15, 2016
Taking in a show, a sport event or gig when in a destination is commonplace - but visitors are often unaware of what are the best tickets to get at a venue. Ticket sellers will inevitably be able t... Read More
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