• FutureTravel
  • Posts
  • 200 editions = time to celebrate! Be my guest

200 editions = time to celebrate! Be my guest

a special 24h code for our readers 🎟️

July 10, 2025

Hi there,

I like small milestones, and taking a moment to appreciate the work behind them. I wish I did that more often. But yes, this is edition #200! 🎉

Behind the scenes, that’s a lot of reading, writing, editing… and trying to make sense of what’s happening in travel :)

FutureTravel launched during the pandemic. No one really knew what was coming or what would happen to their jobs. Lots of uncertainty. I had many questions, and started showing up each week.

Since then, this newsletter has opened a lot of doors, conversations, connections, and so much learning.

It’s not easy to put into words, but here are three simple things I’m carrying with me into the next 200 editions:

  • Keeping the door open
    Travel can be full of tradition and complex systems, but it’s never closed off to fresh thinking. New people, businesses, and voices can (and do) shape what comes next.

  • The more you put in, the more you get out
    Every time I sit down to prepare the content and hit send, I get so much back. Your replies, intros, links. It’s been amazing to co-create and shape a lot of this with great partners and readers.

  • Travel doesn’t move in straight lines
    It’s shaped by culture, economics, politics, climate, and tech. It rarely goes as planned. But the most interesting things often come from the unexpected connections (also the ones between verticals).

And now… we’re living in weird times. There’s a lot of uncertainty (again!), things keep shifting, and it’s easy to feel a bit… lost.

At the same time, there’s this wild energy, like anything can be done. Tech tools are smarter and more accessible than ever. It’s exciting, but also a lot to take in.

That’s why I believe it’s worth slowing down. Taking a moment to ask better questions to each other, to ourselves, and to where travel is heading.

If that’s on your mind too, I’d love to see you at this year’s FutureTravel Summit.

I’ve just activated an exclusive code of discounted tickets, but it’s only active for 24 hours. You can use the code BEMYGUEST - this is a small way to say thanks, a way to keep the door open.

So thank you: for reading, for forwarding, for replying with “this made me think.”

If you’re new here, welcome. If you’ve been around for a while… thank you! ❤️ 

Funding Spotlight

Netherlands-based GeniusTravel just raised €2 million to grow its AI-powered travel planning app across Europe. The startup offers a conversational interface that recommends themed getaways (like wine weekends or active escapes) based on user preferences.

The twist is that it’s fully built on Expedia. Bookings are handled by Expedia’s system, while GeniusTravel focuses on simplifying the search experience and surfacing relevant trips through its own AI layer.

💬 “We believe travel planning has become overwhelming. People want inspiration, not another search bar,” said co‑founder and CEO Max Meijer. “Our mission is to make curated, quality travel experiences as easy to book as an Uber.”

Their model focuses on making discovery faster, smoother, and a little more fun. With this new funding, the company plans to improve its AI and expand into new European markets.

Also on our radar:

🦄Airalo reaches unicorn status after $220M raise, highlighting the growing demand for digital-first travel connectivity through eSIMs. More info

🇫🇷 Khimod raises €23M to build France’s first SAF production plant, backed by the France 2030 plan. Full story

🇳🇱 Tiqets secures a €25M loan from the European Investment Bank to refinance and scale. Read more

🇬🇧 15below acquires Airport.AI to expand automated passenger messaging into the airport experience. More details

The European Travel Commission has released its latest report, offering a a fresh read on travel demand across Europe. It’s full of useful data for anyone thinking about seasonality, pricing, and what travelers are prioritizing this summer.

You can read the full report here. But to make your life easier, here are 2 takeaways I wanted to make sure to highlight:

  • Southern Europe is still leading, but momentum may be fading
    Greece, Portugal, and Spain continue to top the recovery charts. But early signs of softening (slower bookings, cautious sentiment) hint that the second half of the year might look different. For businesses focused on the same top performers, it might be time to think about spreading risk. Geography, timing, and traveler type are all levers worth adjusting.

  • Keeping an eye on the wallet
    Yes, people still want great experiences. But rising costs are quietly redrawing the map. Destinations perceived as “good value” (especially in Eastern Europe and outside the Eurozone) are seeing more demand. This matters for product teams and marketers alike: pricing transparency, smart bundles, and tools that help travelers manage spend are becoming real differentiators.

What kills internal innovation fastest?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Before checking out

Not funding rounds. Not product launches. Not deals. Just things we saw this week that made us think about what’s shifting under the surface…

🌍 Building travel with purpose?
The Social Entrepreneurs in Tourism program is open until July 14. If you're building a business that makes travel more inclusive, sustainable, or accessible, this is for you.

🎙️ citizenM x Marriott: what the deal really means
citizenM CEO Lennert de Jong joins Hospitality Daily to unpack the brand’s strategic sale to Marriott. He talked about what it means for loyalty, growth, and keeping identity while scaling.

🎧 The WeRoad approach to connection
In this EU-Startups Podcast episode, WeRoad’s co-founder Erika De Santi shares how group travel can fight loneliness, spark community, and bring joy. A good listen on experience design and the real value of shared adventures.

See you next week,
Ana

Thank you for reading until the end.

The content of this newsletter is curated and published by Ana Metz, an innovation expert, passionate about technology and excited about the future of travel.

Looking for a space to promote your business or service for more than 26k subscribers? Let’s talk.

FutureTravel is a weekly newsletter about the future of travel, featuring the most exciting news about innovation, trends and startups in the industry.