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 Claude.
Klarna, Southwest Airlines
Klarna, a digital bank and payments provider, and Southwest Airlines announced a long-term partnership to bring flexible payment options to Southwest customers in the U.S.
Starting later this year, travelers booking on Southwest.com and the Southwest app can pay in full, split costs into four interest-free installments or finance trips over time.
IBS launches Naviq Technology
IBS Group launched Naviq Technology, a new vertical artificial intelligence (AI) company built for the global travel industry, in a move to lead the travel tech sector worldwide.
Naviq will combine IBS Software's travel expertise with AI-first tools to improve operational efficiency, personalize customer experiences and unlock new revenue streams, operating independently from other IBS Group affiliates.
WeRoad names U.S. general manager
WeRoad, a group adventure travel company, named entrepreneur Dan Berger as U.S. general manager as it expands into the American market.
The move follows the company’s $58 million Series C round led by Airbnb. Berger previously founded event planning software company Social Tables, growing it to 120 employees and $20 million in annual recurring revenue before its acquisition by Cvent for $100 million.
NextTrip adds advertising sales executives
NextTrip added four executives to its advertising sales team.
The company appointed Kevin Dailey as senior director of travel and tourism sales, Helena Egan as strategic advisor for global tourism partnerships, Jed Corenthal to lead non-endemic brand partnerships and James Moore as strategic sales advisor.
The hires follow the expansion of Journy TV, the consolidation of GoUSA TV into the platform and a joint venture with KC Global Media set to widen distribution across Southeast Asia.
Journey Beyond appoints general manager
Australian experiential tourism group Journey Beyond has named Roland Ah Chee as general manager of First Nations engagement and partnership, a newly created role overseeing partnerships with Traditional Owners and First Nations communities.
A Pertame, Wangkungurru and Bundjalung man, Ah Chee brings 15 years across South Australian government and private-sector roles focused on First Nations self-determination and economic outcomes. He most recently advised South Australia's deputy premier and minister for Aboriginal Affairs.
CEO Chris Tallent said Ah Chee will lead the company's First Nations engagement strategy across operations, workforce and guest experiences.
PriceLabs adds mobile app, AI connector
PriceLabs now works beyond its website, adding a mobile app, an AI connector for tools like Claude and an upgraded API, all sharing one pricing engine.
The mobile app, in seven languages on iOS and Android, lets hosts check and adjust rates remotely. The MCP connector, out of a two-month beta, handles pricing queries and changes in plain language. The customer API adds new endpoints for dashboards and automated workflows.
Dida launches Dida MCP
Dida Holdings has launched Dida MCP, an AI-native booking gateway giving approved B2B partners access to more than 2 million hotel properties for search and booking inside their own apps and platforms.
The tool uses OAuth-based authorization, letting partners keep their brand and customer data while Dida handles supply, rates, payments and servicing behind the scenes. CEO Daryl Lee said the launch targets travel agencies, banks, loyalty programs and superapps. Dida plans to extend the model to flights and ground transportation.