Epic weddings, smarter travel & boats that fly 🚤

Hi there,

We’re getting closer to the big day, and the excitement keeps building! We’re thrilled to announce that two more fantastic speakers are joining our FutureTravel Summit lineup: Julian Trautwein, CEO of Raus, and Veronica Diquattro, President of Consumer and Supply Business in Europe at Omio. We can’t wait to hear their fresh insights on where travel is heading and how innovation is shaping the future of our industry!

A big thanks to our fantastic sponsors - Airwallex, Amadeus, and Emburse - for being part of this journey and helping us bring the travel community together, making this event a great space for innovation and connection.

And there’s still one more opportunity to get involved: if your company is passionate about travel innovation and taking an active role in shaping the future of the industry, we’ve got one sponsor slot left. Don’t miss the chance to join this year’s event - let’s talk? 👀

Now, let’s dive into this week’s top news about innovation, trends and startups in the industry...

• ”Celebration Travel” at its finest. Virgin Voyages is diving into wedding bliss with packages launching in 2025, and who better to kick it off than Sir Richard Branson himself, officiating some onboard ceremonies? With beautiful views on the background, these weddings are set to be more than just ceremonies - they are epic experiences. This taps into the growing trend of experience-driven, personalized celebrations, where couples seek exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime moments that go beyond traditional venues. Virgin’s mix of romance, luxury, and adventure seems to fit perfectly with this new kind of celebration travel.

• Rewarding guest behavior. French startup Luniwave is taking eco-friendly hospitality to the next level, using behavioral science to shape guest habits across hotels and accommodations. With solutions like their water-saving LuniShower and rewards for sustainable choices like “green miles,” they’re setting a new standard for eco-positive travel. By partnering with major players like Accor and Club Med, Luniwave is driving a shift in hospitality, where sustainability and guest behavior work hand-in-hand to reduce environmental impact while enhancing the guest experience.

• Expansion mode on. Business travel platform Hotel Engine hit a $2.1 billion valuation after raising $140 million in Series C funding. By ditching contracts and minimum spends, they’ve attracted 40,000+ customers like PepsiCo and Whole Foods. Now rebranding as "Engine" and expanding into flights and car rentals, they’re gearing up to reshape corporate travel with flexibility and perks for both travelers and suppliers.

• Flying over water - why not? Swedish company Candela just made waves, literally, by setting two world records with their electric hydrofoil boat, crossing the Baltic Sea from Sweden to Finland. The Candela C-8 proved that zero-emission sea travel is not only possible but also way cheaper. With 95% lower costs than regular boats, this tech could totally shake up water travel, making it greener and way more affordable for both fun trips and public transport.

• More than just rooms. Croatian startup Turneo (yep, not your usual startup hub) just snagged $2 million in seed funding. They were finalists in last year’s FutureTravel pitch competition, and now they are ready to expand, supercharge their AI, and partner up with hotels to deliver even more personalized guest experiences. It’s awesome to see them growing and making hotels even smarter at keeping guests entertained.

• Smoother, greener, and smarter. BizAway, a tech-driven travel management company, just secured a €35 million investment. Known for its user-friendly software and B Corp status, they’re set to expand further. The funding will fuel their growth in AI, international markets, and acquisitions - helping over 1,600 companies streamline business trips, cut costs, and boost efficiency.

I’m signing off for now, but we’ll be back next week with fresh insights on travel trends, startups, and innovation. If you’re liking what you read, go ahead and forward it to a colleague who’d appreciate it too :)

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.

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