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.
Volaris, Sabre
Volaris signed a multi-year deal to distribute its fares and ancillaries through Sabre’s SabreMosaic Travel Marketplace, marking the Mexican ultra-low-cost carrier debut in the global distribution system (GDS) channel.
The agreement makes more than 220 routes across Mexico, the U.S., Central America and South America available to Sabre-connected corporate and leisure agencies. SabreMosaic aggregates traditional, New Distribution Capability and low-cost content from 150+ airlines and is accessible via Sabre Red 360, Sabre Red Launchpad and APIs. Volaris said the move aims to improve access to business travel buyers.
Thai Airways, IBS Software
Thai Airways has selected IBS Software’s iLoyal platform to modernize its Royal Orchid Plus loyalty program as part of a broader digital transformation. The system will use artificial intelligence (AI) and data-driven tools to deliver more personalized experiences, streamline digital touchpoints and support partnerships across sectors such as banking and retail.
Thai Airways said the upgrade aims to boost engagement and revenue while aligning with its “Power of Plus” strategy. IBS Software, a Sales-as-a-Service provider for the travel industry, said the move strengthens its position as a leading loyalty solutions provider in the Asia Pacific region.
Bókun, TTX
Bókun, a Tripadvisor company, has partnered with TTX, Trafalgar Entertainment’s ticketing arm, to distribute West End and other live event inventory through Bókun’s channel manager for the first time.
The integration connects TTX’s in-house system to wider resellers, adds API-based price schedule automation for dynamic pricing and streamlines booking, inventory and marketing for venues. The deal brings major titles such as “The Lion King,” “Wicked,” and “Hamilton” to Bókun-connected sellers and includes add-ons like backstage tours and show-plus-dinner packages aimed at domestic and international audiences.
SITA, easyJet
SITA and easyJet are rolling out a mobile ground-crew app that moves check-in and boarding from fixed desks to anywhere in the terminal. After trials at London Gatwick and four other U.K. airports, easyJet plans deployment across its network of 150+ airports.
SITA said more than 1,000 agents used the app during the pilot, printing 40,000 boarding passes, checking in 30,000 passengers and boarding 5 million travelers; at Gatwick alone staff boarded 1.4 million passengers and issued 17,000 boarding passes in eight months. The app links handhelds to check-in, boarding and bag-tagging systems to cut queues and infrastructure costs.
Travel Compositor’s platform
Spain-based Travel Compositor, part of Travelsoft, has launched Group Engine, an end-to-end platform that automates tailor-made group travel from quote to on-route execution. Debuting at World Travel Market London, it handles multi-service, multi-destination itineraries with real-time rules, automates RFQs and supplier responses, issues confirmations and allotments and centralizes rooming, vouchers and incident management.
The companion “Tour Guide App” syncs itineraries, check-ins, service details and chats. Travel Compositor says the system cuts time-to-quote from days to minutes, boosts scalability and control and is available for immediate deployment.
Sojern’s advisory board
Sojern has formed its first 2025 European Destinations Advisory Board to unite destination leaders on shared marketing challenges. The board met in Paris to develop frameworks for audience measurement, sustainability communication and AI-led personalization. Members include leaders from Atout France, Marketing Manchester, Tourism Ireland, The Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions and London & Partners, among others.
Blacklane, Dnata
Blacklane and Dnata Travel Group have expanded their partnership to offer first-class chauffeur services across the U.K., the Middle East and Asia. Agents booking through Dnata brands can add Blacklane ground transport to itineraries in 50 countries. The move builds on Pure Luxury’s complimentary U.K. airport transfer for its Gold Medal guests. Blacklane will support key Dnata brands with account teams in the U.K. and the UAE.
Travelsoft's managing director
Travelsoft has appointed Axel Nazarian as managing director, effective September 2025. Nazarian will oversee company steering, global operations and initiatives to accelerate operational excellence across the group’s platforms.
Nazarian is a Telecom Paris engineer with nearly two decades in e-commerce, omnichannel transformation and international operations. He has held executive roles at Carrefour and at Veepee.
Byway launches Place Finder tool
Byway, a PhocusWire Hot 25 Travel Startup for 2025, has launched Place Finder, a tool for hyper-personalized, flight-free itineraries. Travelers can explore European cities and regions by interests like vegetarian foodie escapes, wild swimming, book lovers and artistic breaks via train, ferry or bus.
Place Finder builds tailored routes in seconds using Byway’s dynamic journey-planning technology. It integrates with Byway’s interactive map to automate multistop routing and accommodation based on timeframe and preferred stops.
Vrbo adds shopping experience tools
Vrbo has upgraded its shopping experience to help travelers find accurate, trustworthy vacation rentals. On the platform only verified guests can post reviews, and guests can also leave a rating for accuracy on listings.
The AI Guest Review Summaries feature scan feedback to highlight what real guests consistently note. AI Property Q&A answers common questions using verified reviews and listing details, reducing host back-and-forth. Property Highlights uses AI to showcase each home’s unique qualities, personalized to the traveler. The features are intended to improve search, speed decisions and increase confidence that photos and descriptions are current and reliable.
HotelRunner's finance layer
HotelRunner has launched Ruby, an embedded B2B travel finance layer that synchronizes bookings, payments and settlements in real time. Ruby handles cross-border flows and multi-currency transactions, giving agencies and hotels full visibility and automated reconciliation across the reservation lifecycle.
Powered by global issuing and processing partners, it enables instant local payouts between markets, such as Germany to Thailand. The platform embeds policy and compliance intelligence for transparent, standards-aligned transactions. With 10,000 preenrolled properties, Ruby targets processing over $4 billion in transactions annually across Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
TourRadar updates
TourRadar shared its fall release this week. The update includes the recently launched TourRadar community, “cleaner pricing” and additional features to simplify travel such as fresh itineraries and clearer age ranges.
The release also encompasses previously publicized updates such as its TourRadar Moments, the RISE creator reward fund and its recently launched AI discovery capabilities with ChatGPT, Instagram and model context protocol integrations.