AI Travel Technology News Page 16
VIRGIN ATLANTIC LAUNCHES THE FUTURE OF TRAVEL PLANNING: YOUR PERSONAL CONCIERGE IS HERE
Virgin Atlantic has today unveiled the full rollout of its innovative Virgin Atlantic Concierge across both the Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Atlantic Holidays websites, giving every guest access to an intelligent, always-on travel companion that redefines how journeys are planned and booked. Powered by OpenAI and built in partnership with Tomoro teams, Virgin Atlantic’s digital Concierge combines the warmth and personality of Virgin Atlantic with cutting-edge AI technology. Whether guests are seeking the perfect getaway, exploring Virgin Atlantic Holidays, or booking their next flight, the Concierge listens, understands, and curates tailored recommendations in real time, offering a seamless way to plan, book, and dream about future travels through natural conversation. Guests can choose to tap, type or talk, enjoying effortless interaction however they prefer.
Riyadh Air and IBM Partner to Launch World's First AI-Native Airline
At IBM Think Riyadh 2025, IBM and Riyadh Air announced a major milestone in their collaboration, unveiling Riyadh Air as the world's first AI-native airline. Designed from the ground up without legacy patch work, these AI-driven operations provide the foundation to transform guest and employee experiences and set a new benchmark for innovation in the aviation industry.
World Travel Tech Awards reveals 2025 winners at Kingdom of Bahrain ceremony
World Travel Tech Awards – the global initiative to recognise and reward excellence in the travel tech sector – has unveiled the winners of its 2025 programme at a glittering gala reception held in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The finest travel technology brands from around the world attended the 5th annual World Travel Tech Awards Gala Ceremony for a night of celebration and industry recognition.
New Report Reveals the Rise of the 'Social Flex' Holiday
New global travel data from Polarsteps shows Brits travelling faster, further and more adventurously than ever, and posting more of it publicly than any other major European nation.
William A. Gibbs Joins roomangel Foundation to drive global expansion of ‘hive’ AI Platform
The roomangel Foundation, a pioneering nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing transparency and fairness in the hospitality industry, today announces the appointment of William A. Gibbs as Senior Advisor - Strategy & Growth. Gibbs joins the Foundation to spearhead the global expansion of hive, the organization’s flagship AI platform. Functioning as a connected intelligence layer, hive enables hotels to leverage complex data to optimize yield, reduce reliance on intermediaries, and prepare for the next era of Agentic AI in travel. In this pivotal role, Gibbs will oversee strategy, commercial growth, and operational excellence, shaping hive’s product-market fit and accelerating adoption among hotel groups, asset managers, and owners worldwide.
Travelsoft and Gekko Group join forces to expand global hotel distribution
Travelsoft, a provider of technology solutions for the travel industry, and Gekko Group, a leading player in B2B hotel distribution, announce the launch of a strategic partnership. The agreement enables the integration of the hotel inventories of Teldar Travel and Infinite, two brands of the Gekko Group, into Travelgate and Travel Compositor, two platforms within the Travelsoft portfolio.
Captain Pugwash Comes Home to Rye Via New GuideGeek AI Tool for Visitors
After a long time at sea, Captain Pugwash and the crew of the Black Pig have dropped anchor in Rye to take on their latest adventure. Thrust into the 21st century, Pugwash will headline Rye's new tourist information service thanks to a new AI tool that visitors can access via their mobiles. The AI is built on Matador Network's GuideGeek platform and trained on extensive data from Rye Chamber of Commerce.
Travelsoft launches “AI Search for tourism”, a dedicated AI offer to make travel companies AI-ready.
Travelsoft, a global travel technology group has unveiled AI Search for Tourism, a comprehensive and modular AI offer designed to take the travel industry from AI experimentation to measurable business impact. As SEO traffic gradually declines, giving way to Search Generative Experience (SGE), players in the travel industry must find their way to adapt. Designed for global use and natively multilingual, the offer is adaptable to companies of any size and all travel players (including non-merchant players). It delivers measurable results, helping organizations adopt artificial intelligence in a structured way.
Mindtrip partners with the bahamas to unlock unique adventures through AI
From exploring its treasure trove of pink sand beaches to immersing oneself in the area’s vibrant culture, Mindtrip’s AI transforms The Bahamas’ 16 uniquely captivating and distinct islands into personalized travel recommendations for singles, couples, and families alike.
The Phocuswright Conference 2025 – Part 1 highlights
San Diego set the stage for a lively opening to The Phocuswright Conference 2025, where more than 600 travel leaders debated the industry’s next chapter. Across sessions, one theme rang clear: AI is no longer a future disruptor, it’s a present reality – but loyalty, trust, and human connection remain the anchors. From OTAs morphing into financial institutions, to TikTok and Reddit defending the value of authentic recommendations, to hoteliers wrestling with fragmented systems, the conference spotlighted both the promise and the pitfalls of technology in travel.
KAYAK Data Shows Searches Up 10% and Airfares Trending Down as Travelers Turn to AI tools
According to data from KAYAK, the world's leading travel search engine, holiday travel interest is up 10% year-over-year. Despite higher interest, prices across major travel categories are stable or down, giving travelers more opportunities to find affordable trips this holiday season.
Data Appeal Redefines Destination Intelligence Introducing a New Agentic Management Tool
The Data Appeal Company announced the launch of a new feature that turns large volumes of travel signals into clear insights, scenario analyses, and actionable recommendations and outputs through a contextual intelligence interface. Built specifically for Destination Management Organizations (DMOs), tourism boards, and travel authorities, this revolutionary tool addresses one of the sector’s most significant challenges: while tourism demand and data have grown exponentially, many destinations still lack the capabilities and resources to keep up.