Here's our roundup of the people, product and partner news from the global travel industry this week.
This roundup was created with the assistance of ChatGPT.
Kiwitaxi, NomadHer
Kiwitaxi partnered with women-focused travel app NomadHer to promote safer and more supported trips for female travelers. The companies said the tie-up will connect NomadHer’s 300,000-plus member community with Kiwitaxi’s airport transfer network, which spans more than 100 countries.
Kiwitaxi is also highlighting a “Women Driving Women” booking option that lets customers request female drivers at no extra cost in a pilot across Tokyo, Rome, Brussels, Rio de Janeiro and Malaga. The partners also launched a holiday campaign inviting NomadHer users to share solo travel stories.
80 Days, DirectBooker, DerbySoft
Hospitality marketing agency 80 Days partnered with DirectBooker, a PhocusWire Hot 25 Startup for 2026, and hotel connectivity provider DerbySoft to push real-time rates and availability plus direct booking links into artificial intelligence (AI) search tools such as ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini.
DerbySoft will supply an availability, rates and inventory feed, and DirectBooker will route it through its Model Context Protocol server so hotels can surface bookable offers in AI answers. A beta is slated for the first quarter of 2026 pending AI platform approval.
Clear’s digital ID
Clear launched Clear ID, a free digital ID in its mobile app that lets U.S. passport holders verify their identity at more than 250 TSA checkpoints without handing over a physical document. Travelers create the credential by uploading a U.S. passport to the Clear app, then present a QR code at participating checkpoints for domestic travel. The product is available to anyone, not just Clear+ members, and can be used even at airports without Clear lanes. TSA recommends travelers still carry their physical ID.
Travel Ledger's head of business development
Travel Ledger appointed Chris North as head of business development for the U.K. and Ireland as it accelerates expansion across Europe.
North brings 30 years of industry experience, including roles at Vertical Systems and Abta LifeLine. The hire follows recent momentum for Travel Ledger, including new banking and virtual card capabilities with Adyen and an integration with Expedia TAAP to automate virtual card payments, reconciliation and cash-flow management for travel agents.
Matador Network, South African Tourism's AI assistant
Matador Network and South African Tourism launched “Siyanda,” an AI travel assistant for North American travelers planning trips to South Africa.
Built on Matador’s GuideGeek platform, the tool provides real-time answers and itinerary help using South African Tourism data plus GuideGeek’s integrations. South African Tourism said the U.S. became its largest overseas market in 2024, and the tool supports travelers and travel advisors researching and booking.
Atriis, Travelport launch NDC integration
Atriis and Travelport launched Travelport New Distribution Capability (NDC) within the Atriis platform, now live for all Atriis customers.
The integration adds end-to-end capabilities, including search, booking, seat selection, ticketing queue, sync and cancel and refund workflows. Development included launch partner BTP Group. The companies said the release expands multi-source airline content for travel management companies and corporate buyers, with Atriis planning additional NDC enhancements through 2026.
United Airlines' app features
United Airlines rolled out new mobile app features ahead of the holiday travel rush.
Updates include a feature that shows live boarding groups and a progress bar, a United Club tool that recommends the closest and best lounge using capacity data and an upgraded bag tracker with package-style, real-time updates.
Additional changes include personalized updates for accessibility needs, requirements for travel documents and biometric boarding and arrival details like local weather and rideshare guidance.
HostAI passes 5,000 properties
HostAI, a PhocusWire Hot 25 Travel Startup for 2026, said it surpassed 5,000 active vacation rental properties on its platform, citing expanded integrations with property management systems.
The company said direct bookings on its platform are up threefold year over year as it works toward shifting $100 million in intermediary bookings to direct channels by the end of 2026. HostAI uses autonomous AI to automate the direct booking cycle, including marketing, guest communications and conversion, aiming to reduce reliance on online travel agencies and their commissions.
Peakwork's director of business development
Peakwork named Falk Rudolph director of business development, effective January 1, 2026.
Rudolph will lead business development across the Germany, Austria and Switzerland markets and internationally, supporting growth for Peakwork and its leisure travel network. He previously held sales and growth roles at HolidayTaxis Group, HBX Group and Hubby eSIM.
Hovr, Curator Hotel & Resort Collection
Hovr partnered with Curator Hotel & Resort Collection to bring interactive video storytelling to its independent properties.
The platform turns static website pages into immersive video experiences that highlight rooms, dining and amenities while adding calls to action and performance insights. Curator members will receive exclusive pricing and onboarding support. Early adopters include Fidelity Hotel, Hotel Revival, Albert Hotel, El Capitan Hotel and San Diego Mission Bay Resort.
Peru's automated border control
Peru has rolled out automated border control at Lima’s Jorge Chávez International Airport, adding 19 eGates and 21 self-service kiosks at the new terminal as it prepares for rising passenger volumes.
The system, delivered by SITA with Peru’s immigration authority Migraciones after an International Civil Aviation Organization-run tender, also includes monitoring tools and a mobile app for pre-travel declarations. Officials said the app is designed to cut wait times by up to 50% and automation will allow officers to focus on higher-risk cases. The rollout initially covers Peruvian passengers with plans to expand to all travelers.
TUI Airline, Navitaire Stratos
Navitaire, an Amadeus company, named TUI Airline as a launch customer for Stratos, its new retailing platform for low-cost and hybrid carriers. The system is designed to support the International Air Transport Association’s offer and order model and includes product, offer, cart, order and traveler management.
TUI plans to use a new shopping cart to let customers save selections and return later with updated pricing, plus personalized recommendations and third-party add-ons such as car rental, activities and accommodations on its websites. TUI is transitioning from Navitaire’s New Skies.
Ubico, Acai Travel
Ubico, the corporate travel unit of Spain’s World2Meet, partnered with Acai Travel to add AI-driven automation to its traveler support operation. The initial rollout will embed Acai’s agentic API into Ubico’s Microsoft Dynamics-based customer relationship management system to assist agents and automate some requests, with integrations across global distribution systems (GDSs), NDC and non-GDS content.
Ubico, which operates within the ATPI network, said the goal is to scale service as the business grows while keeping humans in the loop for more complex cases. The companies plan to extend the deployment to other W2M divisions during 2026.