Here's our roundup of the people, product and partner news from the global travel industry this week.
BA, Spotnana
Spotnana has developed a direct integration with British Airways enabling customers to access the airline's content as well as servicing capabilities.
Subscribe to our newsletter below
The partnership with BA also includes automated, self-service disruption management capabilities enabling travelers to cancel or rebook when a trip is disrupted. The integration also includes self-service exchanges and cancellations and eliminates distribution surcharges.
TPConnects, Air France-KLM
Travel aggregator and distribution specialist TPConnects Technologies is providing NDC content and servicing capabilities to Air France-KLM through its Iris platform.
This move enhances distribution capabilities for the airline group and opens up access to NDC and Edifact to travel agencies using Iris.
Zartico campaign optimization tool
Marketing technology specialist Zartico has unveiled its digital campaign optimization attribute product.
The technology, which was piloted with agencies that specialize in travel such as the Miles Partnership and MMGY, enables users to boost the impact of campaigns and improve return on ad spend.
“I focused on how this product creates a clear picture of what attribution looks like," said Timothy Bush, chief marketing officer of Visit Lake Charles. "And so, for us, using actionable geolocation, spending and lodging-powered insights will remove the guesswork of what we are trying to see as marketers. In 2025, I plan to look at how we optimize our campaigns in real-time, target high-value visitors through origin market analysis, and how we improve vendor performance evaluations."
Cloudbeds, Safestay
Hostel operator Safestay has forged a multi-year partnership with hospitality management platform Cloudbeds.
Safestay will move its portfolio of 20 hostels onto the Cloudbeds Enterprise Platform and build its technology stack on the technology provider's property management system.
“We’re looking forward to supporting Safestay’s strategic vision as they position themselves for significant growth,” said Adam Harris, CEO of Cloudbeds. “The Cloudbeds Enterprise Platform is purpose-built to support dynamic, multi-property hospitality groups like Safestay, providing them with powerful technology combined with world-class 24/7 support, from implementation and training through day-to-day operations. Our partnership represents a pivotal moment in hostel technology, where innovation meets scalable growth.”
Smartvel, Copa Airlines
Copa Airlines is providing real-time travel information to customers following a partnership with content solutions provider Smartvel.
Smartvel's content will be integrated into Copa Airline's website and app enabling customers to access information on health and visa requirements for the carrier's 85 destinations across Central, South, North America and the Caribbean.
IBS Software, SkyUp
Ukrainian carrier SkyUp Airlines has migrated to IBS Software’s iFly Res to enable the restart of commercial operations.
IBS Software, a travel software-as-a-service solutions provider, is providing SkyUp with a Passenger Services System through the partnership
"We are thrilled to announce a successful migration to IBS Software’s digital solutions. Adopting advanced digital tools into our rebrand will transform our personalized customer service capabilities and strengthen our recovery following the conflict in Ukraine," said Daria Aliekseyenko, chief commercial officer of SkyUp. "Our partnership with IBS Software signifies triumph in the face of adversity, and we are excited about the opportunities ahead.”
Mabrian's virtual assistant
Market intelligence specialist Mabrian has launched its virtual assistant AILA, which stands for Artificial Intelligence Live Assistant and is powered by generative AI.
AILA aims to help destinations and tourism companies access information on tourism trends including air capacity, traveler behavior and sentiment and spend from Mabrian's database.
“Until now, gen AI developments in travel and tourism have primarily focused on improving the end-customer experience,” said Santi Camps, founder and CEO of Mabrian. "AILA represents a paradigm shift. By adapting this powerful technology to a proven data ecosystem like Mabrian’s, we exponentially increase the capabilities and efficiency of decision-makers in destinations and tourism companies."
Amex GBT's carbon pricing tool
Corporate travel specialist American Express Global Business Travel has released integrated emissions-based carbon pricing to help companies gauge their carbon impact.
The initiative enables customers to select a carbon calculation methodology to apply a carbon fee to their air travel. Fees are then visible to business travelers as they shop and can appear on their invoice.
“Carbon pricing by way of business travel can help shift companies – and the aviation industry at large – towards a more sustainable future," said Nora Lovell Marchant, VP of global sustainability at Amex GBT. "Carbon pricing is imperative, but alone insufficient. We need to combine carbon pricing with decarbonization. Making carbon more expensive must be combined with making clean more affordable.”
Velocity.travel funding
Velocity.travel, a business travel management company, has secured undisclosed funding from angel investor Raj Shah.
Velocity, which was launched in 2023 by WTFares.com, plans to launch its Zippy platform in April offering a travel, meetings and events booking service.
“This funding is more than just capital; it’s a vote of confidence in our mission to redefine business travel," said Varun Sarda, CEO of Velocity.travel. "Over the past decade, we’ve reinvented ourselves time and again – from launching India’s first free flight cancelation platform to creating an AI-driven holiday engine and now leading the charge in business travel technology. Indian business travel today is where leisure travel was in 2004, stuck offline, but on the brink of a digital revolution with technology driving efficiency, compliance, and hyper-personalization. And with the introduction of Zippy, we’re taking this transformation a step further, reimagining what concierge services can be for frequent travelers and enterprises alike.”