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.
FCM relaunches ‘Sam’
FCM Travel has relaunched “Sam” as an intelligent virtual assistant embedded across its platform, app and browser extension. The updated version of Sam now offers personalized, real-time support for travelers, bookers and managers. It handles disruptions, tracks compliance, surfaces loyalty perks and answers questions before users even ask.
Behind the scenes, Sam integrates internal systems, giving FCM teams better data and faster response capabilities. The assistant’s adaptability also lets travel managers shape user experiences around program goals. “Sam is a game-changer,” said John Morhous, FCM’s chief experience officer. “It’s not just smart—it’s designed to make travel easier, safer and more intuitive.”
RMS’ CFO
RMS has appointed Chetan Arjun as chief financial officer to help steer its next phase of global growth and operational expansion. Arjun brings more than 20 years of financial leadership experience across the tech and travel sectors, including roles at PwC, Coles Group, Crown Resorts and most recently as Group CFO at Lux Group. He joins CEO Adam Seskis to help drive RMS’s strategy as it scales internationally.
“Chetan’s leadership will be key in aligning our financial operations with our strategic goals,” said Seskis. RMS currently supports over 7,000 properties in 70 countries, backed by Advent Partners.
Travelodge, Katanox
Travelodge has partnered with travel tech platform Katanox to expand access to its 47,000+ rooms for travel management companies (TMCs), starting with Navan. The integration allows TMCs to amend bookings, access richer hotel content and benefit from streamlined booking and payment processes, the companies said. Travelodge’s distribution reach will widen through the partnership, enabling connections with more corporate clients.
Katanox’s Paul Beukers said the collaboration helps Travelodge grow market share, while Navan’s CEO of Europe, Middle East, and Africa region Michael Riegel called it a key step in delivering more flexibility and local relevance.
ECTAA, Travel Ledger
ECTAA, the European Travel Agents’ and Tour Operators’ Association, has partnered with Travel Ledger, a B2B settlement solutions provider, to promote secure, digital payment systems across Europe’s travel industry.
The partnership aims to reduce costs, mitigate risks and modernize traditional settlement processes. Travel Ledger’s platform automates transactions, eliminating manual reconciliation and enabling efficient payments. The initiative will involve national travel associations, educational webinars, and case studies to support industry-wide adoption. ECTAA’s Eric Drésin and Travel Ledger’s Roberto Da Re emphasized the partnership’s role in enhancing efficiency and resilience in the travel sector.
Traveltek, Traverse Automation
Traveltek and Traverse Automation have unveiled AIVA, an agentic AI cruise booking assistant, designed to streamline cruise searches for travel agents using natural language. Launching in beta this July via iSell Connect, AIVA interprets spoken-style queries like “family-friendly Mediterranean cruise in August” and returns tailored options, eliminating the need for filters or cruise line calls.
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Traverse CEO John O’Neill called it a “future-facing breakthrough” aimed at boosting agent productivity.
SAP Concur, Trainline Partner Solutions
SAP Concur has partnered with Trainline Partner Solutions to simplify cross-border rail bookings for business travelers across Europe via the Concur Travel platform. The integration streamlines access to multiple rail providers, eliminating the need for separate licenses and bookings for each leg of a journey.
The move responds to growing demand for seamless, sustainable transport alternatives to air travel, especially for trips under 2.5 hours. Rail content from SNCF, Renfe and Eurostar will be live by September, with Iryo and Trenitalia following by year-end.
WTTC’s chair
The World Traveler & Tourism Council has named Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio as its chair. The organization said he brings “a lifelong passion for travel and tourism,” as well as industry insight, leadership and strategic vision.
Lefebvre d’Ovidio is also the founder and chairman of Heritage Group and chairman of Abercrombie & Kent.
Mize, Juniper Travel Technology
Mize has expanded its partnership with Juniper Travel Technology by integrating its SmartRate product into Juniper’s platform.
The move gives Juniper’s connected clients access to SmartRate’s booking optimization tools to improve margins, recover errored bookings, access broader inventory and maintain uninterrupted booking flow. The integration applies Mize’s optimization modalities at the point of booking.
SITA's check-in tech
SITA has been selected by Taipei Songshan Airport (TSA) to deploy its check-in technology, including its Flex platform and Smart Path biometric kiosks.
The project will enable a faster, self-service check-in process for all international airlines operating at TSA. Passengers will be able to check in via mobile and use facial recognition to complete check-in and bag drop in as little as 70 seconds, the company said. SITA’s Self Bag Drop and Maestro Departure Control System will streamline operations, reduce congestion and give airlines real-time insights to optimize staffing and passenger handling.
Transfeero adds destinations
Transfeero has added four new destinations to its network—Tenerife South, Girona, Paros and Perugia—expanding coverage in Spain, Greece and Italy.
The move targets high-demand tourist regions and reinforces the company’s focus on flexible, customer-centric private transport. Transfeero said it partners with local drivers to offer 24/7 customer support. The expansion is meant to further ongoing efforts to match evolving mobility needs with reliable service in both urban, island and regional areas.
HBX Group
The Luxurist, a B2B luxury travel platform, is now integrated into Bedsonline, the retail branch of HBX Group, giving travel advisors worldwide access to its curated portfolio of over 5,000 high-end properties. The move comes as The Luxurist works to expand into additional global markets such as Mexico, Spain and Australia, among others.
HBX Group has also partnered with Wallbid, an embedded insurance provider backed by Fairfax, to provide businesses in Europe with access to Cybersential, a cyber risk assessment service for the hospitality sector. Designed for the sector’s digital needs, Cybersential helps hotels identify vulnerabilities, improve cybersecurity practices and meet evolving data protection standards.
Travelport, EVA Air
Travelport has added EVA Air New Distribution Capability (NDC) content to its Travelport+ platform, enabling agency customers to access and service personalized offers and ancillaries.
The integration is meant to support EVA Air’s modern retailing strategy by expanding global reach and improving booking efficiency. Agents can now compare dynamic NDC offers and manage bookings, including modifications and cancellations. The rollout is intended as part of Travelport’s effort to deliver multi-source content. It’s available in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Canada and the United States, with additional countries to come.