Edition #107, May 29th

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Hi ,

Surprise! This week, our email newsletter is arriving in your inbox on a Monday! Truth be told, I was in the midst of a move last week, and amidst the chaos, my laptop and charger got lost among the boxes. But fear not, they have been found, and we are now back on track. So without further ado, let's dive into the top news from last week!

• Apply as a speaker for the FutureTravel Summit! The applications are still open to join us as a speaker for the highly anticipated FutureTravel Summit in Barcelona on October 27th. We're seeking brilliant minds who can take the stage and share their game-changing insights with top leaders. This is your moment to shape the future of travel! But remember: applications close this Friday, June 2nd! Apply now and be at the forefront of the travel revolution! And if you're hungry for a bigger role, hit reply and let's talk about exhibition tables or sponsorship packages.

• 5,000 New Partners and $9 million. ​​Zuzu Hospitality Solutions, the Singapore-based revenue management platform for hotels, has successfully secured $9 million in Series B funding. This significant boost will fuel Zuzu's ongoing innovation and expedite its growth trajectory. With a primary focus on expanding its network of hotel partners, particularly in India, Zuzu Hospitality aims to onboard an impressive 5,000 new partners by the end of 2024. Furthermore, the company plans to allocate a portion of the funding toward advancing its artificial intelligence capabilities. This investment will empower them to optimize pricing strategies, automate guest management processes, and deliver an elevated partner experience. 

• Insurance experiences that stand out. Travel insurance startup Faye just secured $10 million in Series A funding, led by Munich Re Ventures. They plan to use this investment to drive growth, develop new insurance offerings, scale operations through automation and seamless integrations, and establish partnerships with top brands and distribution partners. Through their recent launches, Faye demonstrates their commitment to providing a convenient, all-in-one platform for travel advisors and enabling travel distributors to offer embedded coverage. Faye's focus on transparency, digital integration, and real-time solutions promises to protect and empower travelers. 

• Sustainable solutions for the hospitality industry. Copenhagen-based startup BeCause has received a €416k investment. This funding will support BeCause's next phase and provide valuable strategic guidance from Danish entrepreneurs Carsten Mahler and Daniel Heskia. The investment will allow the startup to expand its commercial and product development efforts, enhancing its AI-powered sustainability hub for the hospitality, travel, and tourism industries. By simplifying sustainability management, BeCause enables stakeholders to stay updated with the latest improvements, resulting in faster returns on investments and increased profitability. 

• From silent travelers to multigenerational adventures. Here is an interesting article, looking into the unique travel habits of different generations. From the tech-savvy silent travelers who have revolutionized the industry with their smartphone reliance to the socially conscious Gen Z travelers who prioritize sustainability, each generation brings its own flair to the travel experience. Apart from the hidden desires of boomers seeking quality time with loved ones, the article unfolds how hotels are catering to the needs of Gen Z with Instagram-worthy views and immersive activities. 

• Transforming vacation rental procurement. HostGPO, a marketplace and group purchasing organization for vacation rental hosts, has secured $6 million in its first round of outside funding, bringing valuable expertise and resources to fuel their growth plans. The funding will be used to enhance tech development, expand real estate marketplaces, strengthen procurement capabilities, and build supply relationships. With a mission to support vacation rental businesses and improve the quality of homes, they aim to simplify the purchasing process and unify the fragmented industry. As an early market leader, HostGPO is poised to become a pivotal digital infrastructure in the real estate and hospitality sectors, revolutionizing the vacation rental market.

• Celebrate your impact: Is your company creating social or environmental impact? Apply for The Escape 100, a big campaign spotlighting the top 100 companies to work for in 2023. Winners get accreditation, visibility, press coverage, benchmarking insights, a prize package & more. Takes just 10 mins and is free! Deadline Tuesday 6 June.

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.

If you are looking for the most disruptive startups in the travel industry right now, check out our Premium Report: “Top 100 Travel Startups” which might be relevant for you.

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