Here's our roundup of the people, product and partner news from the global travel industry this week.
This roundup was created with the help of ChatGPT.
Travelier appoints VP of data
Travelier, a mobility technology specialist, has appointed Kinneret Khamchi as its new vice president of data.
Travelier operates platforms for booking intercity transport via buses, trains and ferries in 124 countries, partnering with more than 19,000 providers.
Khamchi brings experience in data strategy, having led data engineering and business intelligence at BlaBlaCar, and held roles at WalkMe, Wix and Ness Technologies. She holds degrees in economics, political science and business administration. Travelier co-founder and chief operating officer Omer Chehmer said Khamchi's expertise will help harness artificial intelligence (AI) to unlock insights from data, driving more value for partners and customers worldwide.
Profitroom's AI Agent
Profitroom has launched AI Agent to help more than 3,500 hotel and pub operators boost direct bookings and guest satisfaction.
Available 24/7 across channels like hotel websites, Messenger and WhatsApp, the multilingual AI tool offers real-time support, personalized upsells and seamless booking guidance using live pricing and availability data. AI Agent integrates directly with Profitroom’s booking engine and adapts to guest queries with context-aware responses.
Built by hospitality professionals, it reduces staff workload while improving conversion rates—helping operators deliver consistent service and drive revenue, even when short-staffed or during peak hours.
Duffel, Rippling
Duffel, the travel tech API platform, has partnered with Rippling to launch Rippling Travel, an integrated corporate travel booking solution within Rippling’s spend management suite.
The tool enables employees to book flights, hotels and extras directly on Rippling, while finance teams gain real-time visibility into travel spend, budgets and receipts.
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Duffel simplifies travel integration via a single API, eliminating legacy system complexity and offering access to global travel inventory within weeks, including major airlines and millions of hotel rooms.
OYO, IBS Software
OYO has partnered with IBS Software to accelerate global digital transformation across its brands, including Belvilla, Sunday and Motel 6.
The collaboration includes bundled travel offerings (hotels, flights, transport, activities), expansion into resorts and unified membership programs across regions such as Europe, the United States and Asia.
OYO will implement IBS Software’s iStay central reservation system to enhance real-time content, pricing and availability management. The integration boosts operational efficiency, guest experience and revenue performance.
Hostaway's AI Auto Reply
Vacation rental property management software Hostaway has launched AI Auto Reply, a native generative AI tool that creates instant, personalized guest responses using reservation data, listing info, guest history and host instructions.
The release follows Hostaway’s $365 million funding round and rapid AI adoption. As the latest milestone after launching AI Review Analyzer, Hostaway believes AI Auto Reply reinforces its position as a leader in AI-powered property management, boosting efficiency while enhancing the guest experience.
CTM appoints growth marketing leader
Corporate Travel Management (CTM) has appointed Rebecca Welsch as global head of growth marketing to support its five-year growth plan by enhancing customer engagement and global market presence.
Welsch brings more than 16 years of B2B marketing experience across software-as-a-service, enterprise tech and corporate travel, most recently leading global product marketing at Phocas Software.
Her focus will be on aligning marketing with business growth through strategic positioning, sales enablement and performance-driven execution. CTM’s Darren Toohey said Welsch’s expertise will help scale CTM’s impact, strengthen customer connections and position the company as a thought leader in the evolving corporate travel space.
Otelier’s platform updates
Otelier has rebuilt its IntelliSight business intelligence platform with a modern cloud architecture to give hotel teams faster access to cleaner, more connected data. Now powered by Snowflake, the platform integrates with systems like Opera Cloud, Sage Intacct and HotelKey to unify financial and operational data.
New features include modular dashboards, mobile access, improved data health tracking and deeper revenue segmentation. Designed for scalability across hotel types, IntelliSight aims to help commercial, finance and operations teams make more informed decisions using the same real-time data.
Aimbridge Hospitality’s CCO
Aimbridge Hospitality has promoted Allison Handy to chief commercial officer. In the role, Handy will continue leading sales, marketing, revenue management and ecommerce across the company’s global portfolio.
Since joining Aimbridge in 2021, she has shaped an integrated commercial strategy focused on topline growth and operational alignment. Handy previously held senior roles at Prism Hotels & Resorts and Interstate Hotels & Resorts. She also serves on the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International Americas Board and is active in initiatives supporting women and emerging talent in hospitality leadership.
Kanoo Travel, QuadLabs
Kanoo Travel has partnered with travel tech firm QuadLabs to launch "eo," a corporate travel platform aimed at streamlining business travel across the Middle East. Built on QuadLabs’ Travog system, the platform offers real-time booking, policy enforcement, expense tracking and approval workflows.
The partnership blends Kanoo’s regional expertise with QuadLabs’ technology to simplify travel management while improving cost control and compliance. Executives from both companies said the goal is to deliver a more efficient, transparent travel experience for corporate clients. The launch strengthens Kanoo Travel’s position in the business travel sector.
PearlSky, GO7
Ugandan airline PearlSky has partnered with GO7 to launch operations using the AeroCRS passenger service system. The platform will support scheduling, reservations, payments and departure control as PearlSky begins daily domestic flights from Entebbe, connecting travelers to Uganda’s national parks.
Designed for startup and regional carriers, AeroCRS offers fast deployment, flexible route management and integrated customer tools. GO7’s support is expected to streamline operations and help scale the airline’s growth as it enters Uganda’s domestic aviation market.
Lodgify’s tools
Lodgify has introduced two new tools aimed at helping independent vacation rental hosts manage payments and access financing from a single platform.
Lodgify Payments streamlines the booking-to-payout process with transparent pricing and built-in support, while Lodgify Capital offers fast access to funds for qualifying U.S.-based hosts without credit checks or lengthy applications. The launch addresses growing cost pressures in the industry, with Lodgify aiming to reduce reliance on third-party tools and help hosts run leaner, more efficient businesses. Both features are part of Lodgify’s push to build an all-in-one platform tailored to the needs of small-scale operators.
Dormakaba, CWT
Dormakaba has selected CWT as its global business travel partner, consolidating its travel program across more than 50 countries. The move shifts Dormakaba from using multiple travel management companies to a unified approach aimed at streamlining operations and cutting costs.
CWT was chosen for its understanding of Dormakaba’s business needs and its tech-driven offerings, including artificial intelligence tools and Microsoft Teams integration. The partnership will focus on data consolidation, enhanced duty of care and improved traveler communication, with the goal of delivering a more efficient and user-friendly corporate travel experience.