RateGain to acquire Sojern for $250M: RateGain, an India-based provider of distribution, revenue management and marketing solutions for hotels, online travel agencies, airlines, destinations and more, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Sojern for $250 million. Sojern, based in the United States, provides marketing, audience intelligence and guest experience solutions for hotels, destinations, attractions, airlines and cruise brands. Founded in 2007, it serves more than 13,000 hospitality and travel customers worldwide and had $172.2 million in revenue in 2024. 10/2/2025 Read More
Pacaso secures $72.5M for luxury rentals co-ownership platform: Pacaso, a marketplace for co-owned luxury vacation homes, has closed a $72.5 million funding round. The raise is a SEC-qualified Regulation A+ growth round allowing smaller companies to raise investment by selling to the public without a full initial public offering. The funds have been raised from more than 17,500 individual investors and brings Pacaso total funding to $300 million to date. The £72.5 million includes $35 million announced in July involving 10,000 investors under the same SEC regulated mechanism. 10/03/2025 Read More
Arbio Secures $36M funding to expand rental management platform: The investment will be put towards acquisitions, further artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities and expansion to new markets in Europe. Arbio has raised more than $45 million in funding. The company also said it currently has more than 1,000 properties under management in Germany and Austria, has made more than 30 acquisitions, and increased revenue tenfold in the past two years. 10/14/2025 Read More
Boom secures $12.7M funding to scale agentic AI: AI-powered property management system Boom has raised $12.7 million in a funding round led by Avenue Growth Partners, with participation from former Hilton International CEO Ian Carter, Goldman Properties CEO Scott Srebnick, and Simplify co-founder Garry Fatakhov. The new investment will support Boom’s expansion into additional international markets, recruitment across engineering and data science, and further development of its agentic AI technology, which enables hospitality and operational tasks to run autonomously. 10/08/2025 Read More
AI-powered PMS Boom raises $12.7 million: Boom, an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered property management system (PMS), has secured $12.7 million to fuel expansion and recruitment. The round was led by Avenue Growth Partners, with support from former Hilton International CEO Ian Carter, CEO of Goldman Properties Scott Srebnick and co-founder of Siemplify Gary Fatakov, among others. Boom noted that these investors have previously supported the company as private backers. 10/08/2025 Read More
ZUZU Hospitality secures US$5.9M Series B extension to transform independent hotels in Southeast Asia: Singapore-based ZUZU Hospitality has raised US$5.9 million in a Series B-extension round, attracting both existing and new investors. The round was led by Wavemaker Growth, with participation from existing investors, Velocity Ventures and Vulpes Ventures, as well as new investor Latin Leap. Prior to this extension, ZUZU raised a total of US$28 million from investors, including ACV Capital, JG Digital Equity Ventures, Golden Gate Ventures, Goodman Capital, Line Ventures, and others. 08/28/2025 Read More
Hospitable looks to platform users and employees to raise $1.5M: Hospitable, which specializes property management technology for rentals, has announced more than $1.5 million in funding from its customers and employees. The company, which was founded in 2016, said 100 people across 32 countries who use and develop the product invested, creating an ownership model different to the “venture capital playbook driving much of travel tech.” 09/30/202 Read More
JOMhotel.com rebrands with smarter tech, leaner model: Malaysian hospitality tech start-up JOMhotel.com is reshaping how hotels manage unsold rooms and how travelers book last-minute stays, positioning itself as a fairer, faster and more transparent alternative to global OTAs. Previously known as JustTonite.com, the rebranded platform retains its same-day stay focus while introducing smarter technology and a stronger Malaysian identity. 10/10/2025 Read More
Expedia partners with Perplexity for Comet launch: Expedia Group has partnered with Perplexity on the launch of Comet, its free, downloadable browser and artificial intelligence (AI) assistant. To encourage use, Expedia is giving travelers an opportunity to cash in on their download of the AI browser with Silver status in OneKey. “This is the first time we have opened our loyalty program to a partner,” said Clayton Nelson, VP of strategic partnerships for Expedia Group. This unique, multi-layered partnership brings loyalty, advertising and innovation together in one place, so travelers get rewarded just for experimenting with agentic AI tools. 10/06/2025 Read More
ChatGPT brings apps into chat, starting with Expedia and Booking.com: OpenAI is turning ChatGPT into a platform. At its developer conference Monday, the company launched apps within ChatGPT—built using a new Apps SDK (software development kit)—and named Expedia and Booking.com among its first partners. The move effectively opens ChatGPT’s 800 million-user base to third-party developers, creating a new distribution channel for travel and a new way to plan and book travel for consumers. The company said Tripadvisor, Uber and TheFork are set to have apps on the platform soon, too. Additional brands available at launch include Spotify, Figma, Zillow, Coursera and Canva. 10/07/2025 Read More
Content Database Specialist Giata Group Aquires AI Decisioning Platform Smartseer: Giata Group has acquired Frankfurt-based Smartseer for an undisclosed amount to enhance its AI personalization capabilities. By combining verified hotel data with Smartseer’s decisioning engine, Giata enables travel sellers—including OTAs, tour operators, and GDS providers—to deliver more relevant offers at scale. Smartseer’s team will join Giata post-merger. 09/11/2025 Read More
Oyo-parent PRISM launches new hotel vertical called ‘CheckIn: Oyo parent PRISM announced the launch of CheckIn on Friday. The company said CheckIn is a new hotel vertical that brings together its premium value hospitality brands including Townhouse Hotels, Clubhouse, Sunday Hotels, Belvilla, and Palette Hotels. 09/19/2025 Read More
InCred & Analah led consortium invests Rs. 50 crore in PRISM-backed Sunday PropTech: Global travel-tech company PRISM (Oyo parent) announced on Tuesday that an InCred & Analah led consortium of investors has invested Rs. 50 Crore (US$5.7M) into Sunday PropTech Limited, also known as Oyo Assets. 09/23/2025 Read More
Sabre launches APIs to enable agentic AI solutions: Sabre has launched its first agentic-artificial intelligence (AI)-ready APIs, which the company said will enable real-time shopping, booking and servicing from AI agents working with Sabre’s own AI and data capabilities. The new APIs connect to a model context protocol (MCP) server, which Sabre said acts as a “universal translator” for AI agents needing to understand the language of travel technology. Initial focus will be on agentic AI for flights, hotels and post-booking services. 09/25/2025 Read More
Airbnb to launch hotel interface: Airbnb had seemingly set itself up for hotel expansion—and on Tuesday night, co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky said the short-term rental giant is adding a hotel interface to its app. “The concrete thing is we are now getting serious about hotels,” Chesky said while on a video call at Skift Global Forum. “We bought HotelTonight. We always intended to integrate it into Airbnb. Then the pandemic hit, and similar to Experiences, we put everything on hold.” 09/17/2025 Read More
WeTravel lands $92M to develop AI tools for multi-day trip operators: WeTravel, a booking and payments specialist for multi-day trips, has secured $92 million in Series C funding. The investment was led by Sapphire Ventures with participation from Left Lane Capital, Base10, Cross Creek and other angel investors. The round, which triples its valuation, will go towards further developing its platform to expand its payment infrastructure and build artificial intelligence (AI)-powered tools to drive automation. WeTravel is also planning to expand a number of its global offices and grow its B2B partner network. 09/24/2025 Read More
In-flight digital services provider Immfly acquires Data Clarity: Barcelona-based Immfly, an in-flight digital services provider, has acquired data solutions firm Data Clarity for an undisclosed amount. The companies are outlining new capabilities at the World Aviation Festival in Lisbon today, noting in a press release that the strategic partnership addresses the disconnected systems and siloed solutions that airlines struggle with. 10/08/2025 Read More
Joby, Skyports, RAKTA to expand air taxi service network in the UAE: Electric air taxi company Joby Aviation has partnered with the Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority (RAKTA) and Skyports Infrastructure to launch a passenger air taxi service network in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) by 2027. Service is expected to start with an “inter-emirate corridor” connecting Joby’s planned service in Dubai to “landmark hospitality developments” in RAK, including Al Marjan Island. The centrally located island will be the site of the first vertiport for Joby’s electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Additional vertiports will be added in phases. 10/07/2025 Read More
InCred & Analah led consortium invests Rs 50 crore in PRISM-backed Sunday PropTech: Global travel-tech company PRISM (Oyo parent) announced on Tuesday that an InCred & Analah led consortium of investors has invested Rs 50 Crore into Sunday PropTech Limited, also known as Oyo Assets. InCred is one of India’s diversified financial services groups and Analah is a Mumbai-headquartered investment firm specialising in private equity. 09/23/2025 Read More
Travel trends in the Middle East: Experiences, Gen Z and technology: The Middle East is a region defined by its young population and increased digital adoption, both of which are fueling rapid growth in the travel sector. According to data from Phocuswright’s Middle East Travel Market Report 2025, by 2024, the regional travel market exceeded pre-pandemic levels by 23%, with gross total bookings reaching $101.2 billion. The growth is only anticipated to continue, with a 7% compound annual growth rate through 2030 and the potential to reach $135.7 billion in total gross bookings. 10/07/2025 Read More
DerbySoft sees a new airline distribution path with Global Data Network launch: Travel technology company DerbySoft has launched a new distribution system called Global Data Network (GDN) for flights, also announcing AirAsia Group as its first customer. The technology aims to move flight distribution to a decentralized, API-driven network, enabling direct connections between players including airlines, online travel agencies (OTAs), consolidators, and travel management companies. 10/07/2025 Read More
Uber App to get Blade Electric Air Taxis: Uber and Joby Aviation will bring Blade’s electric air mobility services to the Uber app by next year, marking a major leap toward mainstream urban air travel. Following Joby’s acquisition of Blade’s passenger business and Uber’s earlier $75M investment, the integration will offer seamless access to quiet, zero-emissions air taxis. With Blade’s proven network in New York and Southern Europe and Joby’s expansion plans across Dubai, Los Angeles, the U.K., and Japan, the partnership sets the stage for scalable, sustainable aerial mobility, directly from the Uber app. 09/11/2025 Read More
Per Perth Airport partners with Amadeus for biometric passenger system: The initiative will introduce a biometric system enhancing passenger flow from check-in to boarding. About 100 self-service kiosks and 40 Amadeus-supplied bag drop units will replace traditional counters, enabling a streamlined, contactless experience. Integrated biometrics across touchpoints aim to boost efficiency and traveler convenience throughout the terminal. 09/12/2025 Read More
Boatscribe aims to turn yacht charter industry “upside down” with €250K investment: UK-based Boatscribe has raised €250K in pre-seed funding to simplify yacht rentals and expand into mainstream travel. The startup plans to integrate with platforms like Tripadvisor and Google, develop an AI-powered yacht assistant, and attract first-time travelers. Notably, it is one of the few examples of intra-industry venture-style funding in yachting. 09/15/2025 Read More
Sabre launches APIs to enable agentic AI solutions: Sabre has launched its first agentic-artificial intelligence (AI)-ready APIs, which the company said will enable real-time shopping, booking and servicing from AI agents working with Sabre’s own AI and data capabilities. The new APIs connect to a model context protocol (MCP) server, which Sabre said acts as a “universal translator” for AI agents needing to understand the language of travel technology. Initial focus will be on agentic AI for flights, hotels and post-booking services. 09/25/2025 Read More
TSA hopes for tech to help with ‘seamless’ travel in coming years: The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is aiming for a streamlined travel experience in airports across the country in the coming years. When asked what the TSA experience will be like for travelers by 2030, Adam Stahl, acting deputy administrator for the organization, said onstage at Skift Global Forum last week that he hopes it will be “incredibly seamless.” 09/24/2025 Read More
In pursuit of clean data for an agentic travel future: Data is in the limelight — again. Similar to the “big data” phenomenon that gripped the travel industry a decade or so ago (”one of the fastest growing and most talked about technology trends,” observed Phocuswright analyst Bob Offutt back in 2012), today the wealth of artificial intelligence (AI) applications has brought it back into focus. Experts also argue “cleaner” data is needed for more automation as travel agencies keep pace with demand. A new report from BCG predicts leisure travel alone will grow from a $5 trillion industry today to $15 trillion by 2040. 09/25/2025 Read More
Dineout founders raise $4.5 million for medical travel startup from Nexus Venture Partners, others: Dineout founders Ankit Mehrotra and Sahil Jain have secured $4.5 million for their new venture, The Medical Travel Company. This startup connects patients in the UK with affordable healthcare options in India. The funds will scale operations and expand clinical partnerships. The company aims to address long waiting lists for surgeries abroad by leveraging India’s medical expertise. 10/07/2025 Read More
Restaurant-tech platform Petpooja raises Rs. 137 crore from Dharana Capital, Urban Company founders: Founded in 2011 by Parthiv Patel and Apurv Patel, Petpooja works with 100,000+ restaurants across India, the Middle East, US and Africa across 140 plus cities, processing over 7 million orders daily. The fresh capital will be utilised to enhance Petpooja’s product portfolio, accelerate AI-driven automation, and bolster customer support. Petpooja, a cloud-based SaaS platform for restaurants, has raised Rs 137 crore (around US$15.4 million) through a mix of primary and secondary capital during a funding round led by Dharana Capital. 09/30/2025 Read More
Food and beverages trends: The tech-driven future of dining: With AI shaping everything from operations to customer engagement, the F&B industry is on the cusp of a new era where success relies on balancing automation with authentic hospitality. Today’s restaurant is a far cry from the traditional table-and-menu setup of decades past. In an era where speed, convenience, and personalization define customer expectations, technology has transitioned from being a novelty to an absolute necessity in the food and beverage industry. From millennials to Gen Z, diners are no longer content with standard service — they want seamless digital interactions, accurate food information, and the ability to pre-order meals with just a few taps. 10/09/2025 Read More
MCD’s AI Push Gains Steam: Is Restaurant Tech the Next Growth Driver: McDonald’s Corporation MCD is accelerating its digital transformation through what it calls the “Accelerating the Arches” strategy — a long-term push to integrate artificial intelligence, data and automation across its global system. At the heart of this initiative lies “Edge,” a new digital foundation developed in partnership with Google that brings cloud computing to the restaurant level. 10/10/2025 Read More
Square stirs restaurant battle: The digital payments provider has cooked up a new set of tools for restaurant clients as the contest to attract customers heats up. Block’s Square, the company that built a business catering to smaller businesses, is bolstering its bid for restaurant clients. Square plans to sharpen its voice ordering and cost control systems for restaurant clients, along with integrating more artificial intelligence tools and increasing options for restaurants to accept bitcoin. 10/08/2025 Read More
Culinary innovation in hospitality: Fusion flavours, plant-based menus & food tech: The hospitality industry is evolving as food becomes more than sustenance—it’s now a key part of travel, luxury, and lifestyle experiences. Culinary innovation is driving this change, with fusion flavours, plant-based menus, and food technology leading the way. These trends are reshaping how hotels, restaurants, and resorts delight guests and stay ahead in a competitive market. 10/09/2025 Read More
Square debuts voice ordering, boosts AI assistant: As tech firms vie to build an all-in-one restaurant management platform, features like back-office AI and phone ordering could become important points of competition. Square’s incremental product updates, including managerial AI, are meant to make restaurant operations more efficient. Square is adding automated voice ordering for phone calls, as part of a major product update that includes upgrades for the artificial intelligence assistant embedded in its dashboard, the company said in a Wednesday press release. 10/08/2025 Read More
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