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.
Virgin Atlantic launches ChatGPT app
Virgin Atlantic has launched an app within ChatGPT, giving travelers a new way to search for flights using natural language and compare options before booking through the airline’s website or mobile app.
The company said the launch builds on its broader digital push, including Virgin Atlantic Concierge and its new mobile app, as it looks to make trip planning and booking more seamless.
Rome2Rio unveils ChatGPT app
Rome2Rio has launched a ChatGPT app that brings its multimodal transport data and routing tools into conversational trip planning.
The company said the app lets users explore routes, compare options across air, rail, bus, ferry and car, and view schedules, availability and pricing signals in one interaction. Rome2Rio said the launch reflects growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) for trip planning and expands how travelers can access its door-to-door journey planning tools.
Civitatis names CFO
Civitatis has appointed Luis Boada as CFO, adding financial leadership as the tours and activities platform pushes deeper into international growth.
The company said Boada, formerly CFO at Wallbox, will lead financial strategy, planning, investor relations and resource optimization. His appointment comes as Civitatis expands in Latin America and continues investing in technology to support operations, traveler experience and long-term growth.
Travelport, Webjet
Travelport said it has extended its partnership with Webjet through 2029, confirming Travelport as the online travel agency’s global distribution services provider.
Webjet will continue offering New Distribution Capability (NDC) content through Travelport+, giving customers access to a broader range of fares, ancillaries and personalized offers. The renewed deal also includes deeper technical collaboration, with the companies planning to bring more automation and AI capabilities into Webjet’s booking experience.
Adalte, Repayd
Adalte has partnered with Repayd to integrate merchant-of-record payments into its platform for travel packages and multi-day tours.
The deal will help tour operators manage multi-currency collections and supplier payments more efficiently, while reducing manual work, foreign exchange exposure and checkout friction. Adalte said the integration expands its travel-specific services as operators handle more complex cross-border payment flows.
Talma, Spotnana
Talma said it is accelerating its European technology strategy through a partnership with Spotnana and continued investment in customer experience and infrastructure.
The partnership brings Spotnana’s cloud-based travel platform to Talma’s European clients, adding booking, self-service, global content and analytics tools. Talma said the move supports its regional growth plans and follows its 2025 acquisition of Solutions Travel in the United States.
Journey names head of AI, data
Journey has appointed Joe Watkins as head of AI and data as the hospitality technology company expands its AI strategy and international footprint.
Watkins will lead AI development across Journey’s platform, including experience management, digital marketing, booking and payments, while also overseeing internal AI governance and experimentation. The appointment comes as Journey grows in Ireland and Spain and broadens its platform for hotels selling spa, dining, golf and wellness experiences.
Navan names senior director, commercial innovation, strategy
Navan has hired Mark Corbett as senior director of commercial innovation and strategy, tasking him with driving new revenue opportunities and efficiencies across its product portfolio.
His initial focus will be on the Navan Lodging Collection and corporate negotiated rates to improve the hotel booking experience. Corbett previously founded Thrust Carbon. Navan said he will also lead work with emerging third-party technologies and agentic providers to test new travel tools.
Guesty launches AI tools
Guesty has launched ReplyAI Autopilot and AI Task Creation, adding a proactive AI agent to its property management system. The new tools automate guest communications, detect issues in real time and turn guest messages into ready-to-assign tasks.
Guesty said the release moves its platform from AI-assisted replies toward more automated operational execution, while giving property managers control over tone, thresholds, escalation and workflow settings.
GetYourGuide adds supplier tools
As part of its spring product release, GetYourGuide has introduced new supplier tools for its 50,000 guides and activity operators, including a performance section in its supplier portal with AI-powered and expert-recommended actions tied to product data.
Operators can review revenue and conversion trends, edit listings as travelers see them, set custom pickup areas and use an inbox with AI-suggested replies.
ATPCO Routehappy integration
ATPCO said momentum is building behind its Routehappy Virtual Tours product, with SAP Concur joining a growing group of travel sellers using the immersive flight-shopping tool.
ATPCO said integrations now also include Navan, Fareportal, AmTrav, MyRiva and Travel Code. The company said the adoption reflects broader demand for richer airline retailing content, as more than 100 airlines now contribute visual assets through the Routehappy platform.
Air Europa adds GDS surcharge, expands NDC push
Air Europa will introduce surcharges on global distribution system (GDS) bookings as it pushes agencies toward its NDC channel and a new agent portal.
The airline is working with Retailaer and PROS to support the strategy, enabling agencies to access fares, create targeted offers and manage orders. Air Europa said it expects 10% to 15% of agency bookings to shift to the direct channel, with about 4,500 agencies using the portal by July.
Eviivo adds smart lock management module
Eviivo has launched Device Manager, a module within its property management system that centralizes smart lock and access control alongside bookings, payments and distribution.
The company said the tool supports hundreds of lock models and enables operators to automate access codes, monitor device status and manage entry across properties from a single platform. Device Manager also integrates with other access methods, including key cards and mobile keys, and is designed to streamline check-in and reduce manual processes.
Profitroom expands UK team with hires, promotion
Profitroom has added two senior hires and promoted an existing team member as it builds out its United Kingdom and Ireland operations.
The company appointed Samir Bartake as senior business development manager and Sammy Lindstone as customer success manager. It promoted Michael Jones to regional revenue services manager. Profitroom said the moves are aimed at supporting hotel clients with direct-booking strategies and revenue performance as competition and cost pressures increase.
Braze adds AI marketing agents
Braze has introduced a set of AI tools, including agent-based capabilities, aimed at helping marketers build, personalize and manage campaigns.
The updates include an AI assistant for campaign creation and insights, a console for building custom agents and a creative studio that connects design tools to campaign execution. Braze also added European hosting for its decisioning platform.