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AirHelp app hits one million users as travellers switch from airline channels to independent flight

AirHelp app hits one million users as travellers switch from airline channels to independent flight

AirHelp, the world’s leading air passenger rights platform, today announced that its independent flight tracking app has reached one million users in just 12 months – a milestone that reflects a fundamental shift in how travellers manage disruption. As airlines continue to face challenges in real-time communication, passengers are increasingly seeking independent data to track flights, monitor disruptions and protect their schedules. Over the past year, app users conducted more than five million searches for flight numbers, airline and airports – and nearly half (46%) were monitoring someone else’s journey, suggesting that live, independent flight data has become a way for people to track loved ones rather than wait on carrier updates.

Elegant Hotels of the World® unveiled as global luxury soft brand with expanding portfolio

Elegant Hotels of the World® unveiled as global luxury soft brand with expanding portfolio

Elegant Hotel Collection, the global luxury soft brand powered by HotelREZ Hotels & Resorts®, today announces its transition to Elegant Hotels of the World®, marking a new phase of scale, ambition and commercial discipline. Anna Payne, Vice President of Global Brands, HotelREZ Group, commented: “Elegant Hotels of the World reflects the progression of a pioneering soft brand that is expanding its value proposition to offer independent hotels the global platform and commercial strength required to compete more effectively. Continued investment in the brand’s route to market sits at the centre of this progression, with the launch of new digital platforms that strengthen how hotels are discovered, considered, and ultimately booked.

RateHawk Defines Ten Trends Shaping Travel Distribution over the Next Decade

RateHawk Defines Ten Trends Shaping Travel Distribution over the Next Decade

RateHawk, a B2B online platform for booking hotels, flights, and transfers, and PhocusWright, a leading tourism market research think tank, released a joint study on the future of travel distribution. The report identifies 10 key trends that travel professionals should keep in mind to stay competitive and succeed by 2036. The report was presented at the RateHawk Futurecast online event on June 23, 2026

Olympia Events secures major multi-year commitments with London Tech Week, Big Data LDN and Decorex

Olympia Events secures major multi-year commitments with London Tech Week, Big Data LDN and Decorex

Olympia Events, managed by Legends Global, has secured new multi-year agreements with three of the UK’s most influential business events - London Tech Week, Big Data LDN and Decorex - reinforcing Olympia’s position as a leading destination for world-class events, further enhanced by its recent £1.3 billion redevelopment. The agreements see all three events secure their long-term relationships with Olympia, citing the venue’s evolving destination offer, investment into enhanced event infrastructure, unrivalled transport links, growing hotel capacity and ability to support future growth as key factors behind their commitments.

JCB Contactless Expands to Metro de Madrid Enabling Seamless Tap-to-Ride Access Across the Network

JCB Contactless Expands to Metro de Madrid Enabling Seamless Tap-to-Ride Access Across the Network

JCB is pleased to announce that JCB Contactless is now available for use on Metro de Madrid, enabling cardmembers to access the metro network with a simple tap of their card or mobile device. From June 2026, passengers can enter metro stations by tapping their contactless-enabled JCB Cards or mobile wallets directly at fare gates. While card payments have already been available at metro station ticket machines, this new functionality allows users to bypass ticket purchases and access the network more efficiently, helping to reduce waiting times, particularly during peak hours, by tapping directly at fare gates.

AI, identity and demand shifts take center stage as industry leaders confront a fast‑changing travel

AI, identity and demand shifts take center stage as industry leaders confront a fast‑changing travel

Day 2 at Phocuswright Europe opened with a clear message: the forces reshaping travel are accelerating, and the industry must adapt with equal speed. From AI‑driven distribution battles to digital identity pilots, shifting demand patterns and new expectations for loyalty, the day delivered a steady stream of insight, debate and practical direction for the year ahead. Travel demand stays resilient as AI reshapes the path to purchase

LAB7 Backs CONIX.AI to Advance Automated Building Code Compliance Validation

LAB7 Backs CONIX.AI to Advance Automated Building Code Compliance Validation

LAB7, the venture building arm of Aramco, has backed CONIX.AI, a Saudi-based technology startup developing AI-powered architectural design and regulatory compliance solutions. Through this partnership, LAB7’s award-winning B2Code engine will be integrated into CONIX.AI’s regulatory compliance platform, E-Comply, and will help strengthen its ability to deliver end-to-end solutions for engineering offices, developers, and government entities.

Mews named a Leader in the IDC MarketScape

Mews named a Leader in the IDC MarketScape

Mews, the operating system for hospitality, has been named a Leader in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Revenue Management Systems in Hospitality 2026 Vendor Assessment (doc # US53542126, June 2026). According to the IDC MarketScape, “Hospitality operators should consider Mews if they are seeking a unified architecture and are prioritizing a unified PMS-RMS-BI workflow, high-frequency automated pricing, and a roadmap toward total guest revenue optimization within a single ecosystem.”

Spalba Appoints Rahul Sharma to Lead Mumbai Operations Amid Expansion Push

Spalba Appoints Rahul Sharma to Lead Mumbai Operations Amid Expansion Push

Spalba, Asia's first immersive experience-led events infrastructure platform, has appointed Rahul Sharma as Branch Head for Mumbai as it strengthens its presence in one of the country's most strategic markets for events, entertainment, and brand experiences. In his new role, Rahul will lead Spalba's Mumbai operations, focusing on business expansion, client acquisition, strategic partnerships, and team building. He will work closely with brands, agencies, venues, and corporate clients to accelerate the adoption of Spalba's technology-enabled event solutions while strengthening the company's regional footprint.

World Economic Forum and Tencent Cloud Collaborate

World Economic Forum and Tencent Cloud Collaborate

Tencent Cloud, the cloud business of global technology company Tencent, today announced that it is collaborating with the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as “Summer Davos.” The event will bring together more than 1,700 global leaders in Dalian, China, from June 23 to 25, 2026.

United Accelerates Starlink Wi-Fi Rollout with First Widebody Transatlantic Flight

United Accelerates Starlink Wi-Fi Rollout with First Widebody Transatlantic Flight

United is accelerating the rollout of fast, free Starlink Wi-Fi for MileagePlus members as United flight 14 is set to depart Newark/New York for London this evening aboard a Boeing 777-200, marking the airline's first transatlantic widebody customer flight equipped with Starlink and the first of nearly 60 United widebody aircraft expected to have Starlink this year. United expects to have its entire widebody fleet outfitted by next summer as the airline expands Starlink's high-speed, reliable internet across its fleet.