Travel Tech Roundup: AI, Acquisitions, and Expanding Global Partnerships

The global travel and hospitality industry is experiencing a wave of tech-driven innovation, strategic partnerships, and market expansion initiatives. Here’s a look at the latest developments across airlines, OTAs, property tech, and travel payments:
Fuji Dream Airlines & IBS Software
Fuji Dream Airlines (FDA) has renewed its long-term partnership with IBS Software after migrating its passenger service system to IBS’s SaaS platform on AWS Cloud in 2024. The upgrade has improved operational efficiency and system resilience, underscoring a shared commitment to digital transformation in Japanese aviation.
Open Destinations Secures Growth Investment
UK-based reservation tech company Open Destinations has received a strategic investment from Insight Partners. Known for its Travel Studio and Rail Studio platforms used by Emirates and Belmond, the funding will accelerate global growth, with Insight’s Michael Shephard and Peter Segall joining the board.
Hopper Powers Lotte Card’s DiGi LOCA Travel
Hopper’s B2B division, HTS, is powering a new travel booking portal inside Lotte Card’s app. Travelers can book flights, hotels, and rentals with AI-backed features like price prediction, cancel-for-any-reason, and price watch. Future updates will include disruption support and price freeze capabilities.
Technoheaven’s Global Bed Bank Launch
Technoheaven has launched a plug-and-play B2B hotel distribution platform connected to over 1 million properties. With AI hotel mapping, 80+ supplier integrations, and tools to manage contracts, pricing, and inventory, the platform supports travel agents and DMCs in global distribution.
BCD Travel Integrates AI via SkyLink
BCD Travel is enhancing its enterprise offering through a partnership with SkyLink, an AI-powered travel assistant. Integrated with Teams and Slack, SkyLink allows users to book, modify, and cancel trips via chat, fully connected to BCD’s Commerce Platform.
Guesty Becomes Casago’s Official PMS
Guesty has been named the certified PMS for Casago’s expanding franchise network following its acquisition of Vacasa. The partnership will support over 40,000 vacation rentals in North America, Belize, and Costa Rica, with Guesty’s HQ tools aimed at boosting revenue and guest satisfaction.
SITA Appoints New Borders SVP
SITA has named Pedro Alves as senior vice president of its Borders division. His appointment comes amid rising demands on border control systems, following previous roles at Vision-Box, CGI, and IDEMIA.
Red Roof Taps FreedomPay for Payments
Red Roof has partnered with FreedomPay to roll out integrated payment systems across 700+ hotels in the U.S. The solution aims to modernize transactions with secure, omnichannel-ready technology that supports operational efficiency and guest experience.
RateGain and Cloudbeds Join Forces
RateGain’s UNO Channel Manager is now integrated with Cloudbeds’ PMS, enabling hotels to manage inventory, rates, and reservations across 400+ channels. This AI-driven integration aims to streamline distribution and reduce overbooking errors.
Duetto Unveils GameTime RMS
Duetto has introduced GameTime, a simplified RMS for select-service hotels. The system offers mobile access, real-time pricing, and flexible automation, allowing lean teams to manage revenue strategy across multiple properties.
MMGY Acquires Think Strawberries
MMGY Global has acquired Think Strawberries to expand its footprint in South Asia and the GCC. Rebranded as MMGY Think Strawberries, the firm will drive regional strategy, led by founder Amit Kishore and regional heads Munnmunn Marwah and Sanya Zaidi.
Advantage Travel & ConnexPay Partnership
The Advantage Travel Partnership has teamed up with ConnexPay to offer members a streamlined, multi-currency payment platform. The solution helps match customer payments with supplier payouts and claims to boost card rebates by up to 10%.
From AI-driven automation to strategic acquisitions and next-gen distribution tools, these developments highlight the accelerating digital transformation across the travel ecosystem.
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