Bags are packed, but this can't wait!

Hi there,

By the time this hits your inbox, I’ll be on my way to a long-awaited holiday with my family. To be honest, I can’t wait to unplug, relax by the ocean, and get lost in a few good books. Speaking of which, if you’re anything like me and love a good read during your downtime, here is a list of must-reads from some bright minds in our industry that you might want to check out.

But before I completely switch off, I’m super excited to announce that Niels Sauve from The Social Hub and Shannyn Timrott from GetYourGuide will be speaking at this year's FutureTravel Summit! Niels is leading tech innovation at The Social Hub, while Shannyn, with her 20 years of design expertise, is shaping user experiences at GetYourGuide. You definitely won’t want to miss their insights on the future of travel and hospitality!

And of course, I didn’t want to leave you without your weekly roundup. Here’s what’s been happening this week in innovation, trends, and startups - curated just for you.

Valuation drop. Oyo's valuation has plummeted from its peak of $10 billion to $2.4 billion following a new $173.5 million Series G funding round. Oyo's been through a lot lately - like a delayed IPO and getting valuation cuts from SoftBank. Tough times for the startup that was once flying (very) high.

Perfect French blend. Très inspiring to see a hotel brand step up to support emerging French artists with the “Prix Maisons Pariente.” By hosting this art competition, they’re not just showcasing talent, but blending hospitality with French culture. The winning pieces will be displayed in their luxurious hotels, highlighting the best of national creativity. Great example of how travel brands can enrich their offerings while boosting local culture.

Fly All You Want. Last week Wizz Air has launched Europe’s first all-you-can-fly subscription service, borrowing from the all-you-can-eat buffet concept. Thanks to the partnership with Caravelo, travelers can now enjoy unlimited flights across Wizz Air’s network for an annual fee, with bookings made within 72 hours of departure.

State of Travel. Very nice read from Skift, kicking off a new chapter for our industry, finally free from the shadows of COVID. With over 350 insights, it dives into the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping travel today. Whether you’re curious about AI's impact or where travelers are headed next, this report is packed.

Hotel value calculator. The Hotel Nuggets team has combined 3 formulas into one easy-to-use value calculator for your hotel. We love it. 

Connectivity Rankings. Global air traffic is back on track, exceeding pre-pandemic levels, and new data reveals the top 20 most connected airports. Istanbul takes the top spot with 309 nonstop routes, followed by Frankfurt, Paris, and Amsterdam and leaving cities like New York and Tokyo surprisingly off the list. Do we see a little gap between a city's global stature and its airport's reach? Hm, yes.

That’s it from me for now. I’ll be back soon - the next newsletter will land in your inbox on September 5th. Wishing you a fantastic week ahead, whether you’re on the grind or taking some time to unwind.

See you soon,
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.

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