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.
Amex GBT enhances Egencia
American Express Global Business Travel has updated its Egencia platform with artificial intelligence (AI) features and a new integration with Concur Expense. The update aims to streamline business travel by combining booking and expense management in one system.
A conversational AI assistant allows users to search, book and manage trips in a single interaction, with support from travel agents when needed. The Concur integration automatically adds bookings and receipts to expense reports, reducing manual entry. The platform also introduces a simpler interface and faster booking process, targeting completion in under three minutes.
Mews business intelligence
Mews has launched a business intelligence tool within its hospitality platform. It aims to provide a single source of data, allowing hotel teams to view and act on live information without switching systems. Features include customizable dashboards, automated reports and self-service analytics to track revenue, occupancy and bookings.
AI-generated summaries present key metrics in plain language. The system can combine internal data with external sources like OTAs and Google Ads for a broader performance view. The tool is available to existing customers, with wider access to dashboards included at no additional cost.
Spotnana, Premier Inn
Spotnana has integrated directly with Premier Inn, giving travel management companies access to more than 900 hotels across the U.K., Germany and Ireland. The integration enables booking of negotiated and discounted rates, including flexible and non-refundable options.
Travelers can modify or cancel bookings themselves and choose between pre-paid or pay-at-property rates. Extras like breakfast can be added during booking, and listings include detailed images. Agents can manage bookings through Spotnana’s platform.
Atriis appoints sales director
Atriis has appointed Marc Wise as sales director to support global growth in the corporate travel sector. He brings more than 20 years of experience in travel technology, including senior roles at Amadeus and Travelport, where he worked with large enterprise clients. Wise will focus on expanding market presence, working with corporations and travel management companies to improve control, access to content, and program performance.
Curator Hotels, EHVA
Curator Hotel & Resort Collection has partnered with EHVA to provide conversational AI support for front desk and guest services. The system offers 24/7 call handling, manages routine guest requests and integrates with hotel systems to streamline operations. It reduces missed calls and supports tasks like spa bookings, with more features planned. Early results show more calls automated, reduced call volume and no wait times. Complex requests are routed to staff when needed. The partnership aims to reduce operational workload while allowing hotel teams to focus on in-person guest service and experience.
Klarna, Aven Hospitality
Klarna partnered with Aven Hospitality, bringing flexible payments to 10,000 hotels using Aven’s booking engine.
Travelers can pay in full, split costs into interest-free installments or choose longer-term financing, while hotels gain another tool to drive conversion. The rollout begins in the U.S., Sweden, Germany, Austria, Norway and Finland, with more markets planned this year. The deal pushes Klarna deeper into travel and reflects rising demand for more flexible ways to pay for higher-ticket hotel bookings.
FreedomPay, Agilysys
FreedomPay and Agilysys extended their strategic partnership to support hospitality companies across lodging, food and beverage, gaming and resorts.
The companies said the expanded collaboration reinforces an open commerce model. Agilysys will continue supporting multiple payment providers as part of its platform strategy. The partnership also aims to improve guest payments across digital and on-property touchpoints while supporting security, compliance, interoperability and scalability in complex hospitality environments.
BYRDLI launches Utah Unfolded
BYRDLI has launched Utah Unfolded, a destination campaign that links five regions into a single bookable journey across the state.
Developed with the Utah Office of Tourism and regional partners, the campaign follows Australian creator Matt Lambley as he documents the trip in real time and builds an itinerary inside his BYRDLI Travel Club. The effort is designed to connect storytelling with booking, giving travelers a clearer way to plan and book a multi-stop Utah trip through one platform as it unfolds.
Omio launches ChatGPT app
Omio has launched a ChatGPT app that lets travelers search and compare real-time transport options through conversational AI.
The company said the app connects its network of more than 3,000 partners across 47 countries to ChatGPT users, allowing travelers to review routes, prices and transportation modes before booking. The launch is part of its push to become a more AI-native platform and could give operators, from local bus companies to major rail and airline providers, broader visibility worldwide today.
HBX Group launches Agent Radar
HBX Group has launched Agent Radar, a weekly insights feature designed to help travel advisors track demand shifts and identify booking opportunities. The tool uses the company’s search and booking data to highlight destinations gaining or losing traction.
Integrated into the booking platform, Agent Radar builds on the company’s existing Insights product with a simplified weekly snapshot of trends, patterns and hotel suggestions. The feature is intended to support faster decision-making. It is available in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Spain and Mexico.
RMS integrates GoCardless for payments
RMS has partnered with GoCardless to add bank payment options to its hospitality platform. The integration enables direct debit and real-time bank payments alongside cards. The move comes as operators face rising payment costs, with card fees typically ranging from 1.5% to 3%.
The integration is designed to support payments such as deposits and installments while giving operators more flexibility in how they collect payments and reduce costs.
Immfly, Volotea test LEO connectivity
Immfly and Volotea are planning a 12-month trial of high-speed inflight connectivity using low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, with installation expected in the fourth quarter of 2026. The trial will equip a Volotea Airbus A320 with Immfly’s system, combining a Gogo ESA antenna and the Eutelsat LEO constellation.
In parallel, the companies plan a fleet-wide rollout of Iridium-based narrowband connectivity across Volotea’s Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft, supporting passenger messaging and operational services. The partnership also includes a phased rollout of onboard retail capabilities, including pre-order and in-seat purchasing.
ARC, Navan, Travelfusion, SAP Concur
Airlines Reporting Corporation, Navan, Travelfusion and SAP Concur are participating in NDC FastTrack, a cross-industry initiative supported by Accelya focused on scaling New Distribution Capability (NDC). The group provides a forum for travel sellers and technology providers to address operational and technical challenges. The move comes as NDC adoption grows across agency and corporate travel, with ARC data showing NDC accounted for more than 20% of transactions in December 2025.
Nowadays, Business Travel Show APAC
Nowadays, a PhocusWire Hot 25 Startup for 2026, won both the judges’ award and people’s choice award at the Business Travel Show Asia Pacific Innovation Faceoff. The AI-native corporate events platform, founded by Amy Yan and Anna Sun, said the win follows a double victory at Business Travel Show America in October 2025.