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.
City Sightseeing, iWander
City Sightseeing has launched an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered version of its app, developed with PhocusWire Hot 25 Travel Startup iWander, adding an AI assistant, AI-guided walking tours and an AI commerce engine.
The tools provide real-time operational info, personalized audio tours based on interests and location and contextual product recommendations during in-app conversations. Following a beta, the features went live in London on September 1, 2025 and will roll out across the global network through 2026.
HomeToGo's Interhome migration
HomeToGo has completed the migration of Interhome’s B2C website onto its core tech platform, launching a new consumer site.
The rollout, part of an 18-month carve-out from Hotelplan, spans 18 localized domains and 65,000-plus landing pages, promising faster development, expanded search, dynamic maps and a smoother booking flow. HomeToGo rebuilt Interhome’s SEO-rich guides and now steers its marketing with data-driven traffic tools. The company said the move targets peak booking season and strengthens the HomeToGo_PRO segment with a more scalable, independent Interhome brand.
Etraveli Group, Yuno
Etraveli Group partnered with Yuno to bring its travel-specific fraud solution Precision to more markets through Yuno’s single API. Merchants can activate Preicison's machine learning risk engine at checkout, gaining real-time fraud insights while keeping payments seamless. Yuno supports more than 1,000 payment methods in over 200 countries.
Delta launches Delta Locals
Delta introduced Delta Locals, a digital hub offering trip inspiration and curated itineraries created by residents in each destination. The platform, first previewed at CES 2025, aims to make planning more personal with local insights into food, culture and experiences. Initial destinations include Los Angeles, Tokyo, Patagonia and Sicily, with more coming later this year and in 2026.
Protect Group's agent platform
Protect Group launched its "Agent Platform" that lets offline advisors sell its Refund Protect product without technical integration. The web tool gives agencies a new ancillary revenue stream and allows commissions for individual agents. It targets sectors like cruises, where most bookings go through agents but refund protection hasn’t been easily sold offline. The platform lives within Protect Group’s Pulse Dashboard for reporting and is rolling out to select agencies before wider access.
Amadeus, SmartRyde
Amadeus has integrated Japanese airport transfer specialist SmartRyde into its Amadeus Transfers platform, giving travel sellers access to pre-booked door-to-door rides at more than 1,000 airports worldwide.
The rollout begins this month with agencies in Japan and South Korea who can add standard or premium chauffeur services in a single booking flow with real-time availability, instant confirmation and transparent pricing. The partners said the deal supports more seamless end-to-end trips and reduces traveler anxiety around ground transport.
Cloudbeds partnerships
Cloudbeds has partnered with Hopper Technology Solutions (HTS) to bring Hopper’s Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) product to independent hotels on the Cloudbeds platform. The integration lets hotels sell CFAR on direct bookings, allowing guests to cancel for any reason while hotels keep guaranteed revenue and potentially resell canceled room nights.
Cloudbeds has also partnered with B2C customer relationship management system Klaviyo to connect its property management system with data-driven marketing tools, letting hotels automate guest messaging, boost direct bookings and personalize offers.
Timeshifter, United Airlines
Timeshifter has expanded its multi-year partnership with United Airlines, deepening the carrier’s push to tackle jet lag with science instead of myths.
The circadian-based jet lag app is becoming further integrated into United’s customer experience. Premier 1K members will continue to receive complimentary subscriptions, while all MileagePlus members can earn 500 miles when they subscribe for $24.99 per year. Timeshifter applies NASA-backed circadian research to precisely time light exposure and other cues so travelers adjust faster to new time zones and arrive feeling more rested.
Casago’s chief digital officer
Casago has appointed serial entrepreneur David Angotti as chief digital officer to lead its next phase of digital innovation following the acquisition of Vacasa’s operations. Based in Scottsdale, he will oversee Vacasa.com as an in-house booking engine to drive direct bookings and franchise value, while shaping Casago’s broader technology roadmap and AI strategy.
Angotti previously co-founded SmokyMountains.com and StaySense and later served as chief evangelist at Guesty.
Katanox, Selfbook
Katanox and Selfbook have partnered to more closely link hotel bookings with payments and settlement. The tie-up connects Selfbook’s direct distribution network and checkout tools with Katanox’s financial and distribution rails, enabling account-to-account payments, direct hotel connectivity across channels and real-time reconciliation alongside Selfbook’s existing payment partners. Early adopters include Wyndham Hotels & Resorts.