Weekly Travel Tech News: SiteMinder, United, Klook and More

SiteMinder adds AI expertise
SiteMinder has appointed Samantha Lawson as an independent non-executive director, effective December 1. Lawson—an AI and digital transformation specialist with experience at Optus, Oxford VR, Silicon Quantum Computing, Commonwealth Bank, Faethm and BCG—will support the company’s push to expand data-driven revenue tools and advance its “smart platform” strategy for hotel commerce.

AirAsia partners with Arrivia
AirAsia Rewards has teamed up with loyalty and booking firm Arrivia to launch a cruise platform powered by iCruise. Members can book major cruise lines through the AirAsia MOVE app and earn four to five AirAsia points per US$1 spent.

United Airlines deepens partnership with Travelport
United and Travelport signed a multiyear strategic agreement that prioritizes joint development of retailing tools through Travelport+. The deal gives Travelport early access to United’s NDC roadmap and integrates more United content—including unused credit pooling and Jetstream amenity funds—into the Deem platform.

GCash and Klook launch global travel card
Klook and GCash have introduced the GCash Klook Travel Card, a prepaid Visa card linked to users’ GCash wallets. Benefits include an airport transfer voucher, eSIM voucher, hotel discounts and automatic upgrade to Klook’s Gold tier.

Travelsoft expands hotel access and launches AI platform
Travelsoft has partnered with Gekko Group to integrate Teldar Travel and Infinite inventories into Travelgate and Travel Compositor, adding more than 2 million accommodations. It also launched an AI-powered tourism search platform to help brands adapt to search generative experiences.

Visit integrates booking and ticketing
Visit has connected its BookVisit booking engine with the iTicket system, enabling hotels to sell rooms and attraction tickets in one seamless checkout flow.

Corporate Traveler boosts trip planning
Corporate Traveler added a trip proposals tool to its Melon platform, allowing arrangers to compile and share trip options directly with employees before booking.

Riskline and Travelogix enhance duty of care
Riskline is integrating real-time intelligence into Travelogix’s Geo platform, improving incident mapping, alerts and traveller safety features.

Deck2 acquires Auto Europe
Deck2, led by Cover Genius co-founder Chris Bayley, has acquired Auto Europe as part of its strategy to modernize mid-market travel agencies with AI and insurance.

Ethiopian Airlines adopts Accelya NDC
Ethiopian Airlines will use Accelya’s FLX Select NDC service to reduce distribution costs and improve personalised retailing through the FLX ONE platform.

Forge Holiday Group partners with Guesty
Forge Holiday Group will use Guesty’s platform and 60+ booking channels to improve distribution for its U.K. cottages, lodges and holiday parks.

Azerbaijan Airlines teams with HTS
Azerbaijan Airlines will offer Hopper’s DAFAR disruption-protection product, enabling passengers to rebook on any airline if delayed or cancelled.

BCD Travel expands guest travel options
BCD Travel is integrating emPath and Juno into its Marketplace to improve guest travel management for events, contractors and non-employee travellers.

TAP Air Portugal grows NDC distribution
TAP has extended its agreement with Amadeus, adding its NDC content to the Amadeus Travel Platform for richer, more personalised offers.

InnKey partners with Marriott International
InnKey will support the new Series by Marriott brand in India with a cloud-native property management system across 84 hotels and 31 pipeline properties.

Bókun partners with Gray Line
Bókun will provide Gray Line operators the option to use its system as an end-to-end operating platform or channel manager, with priority onboarding and dedicated support.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com

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Weekly Travel Tech News: SiteMinder, United, Klook and More

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