FutureTravel Newsletter 37 / October 14th

View this email in your browser

Hi ,I am so glad that Autumn weather is (finally) making it's way to Barcelona! It is my favorite season - specially this year, as we are taking the time to plan what's ahead for FutureTravel as well as hosting our first FutureTravel Summit. Exciting times! Read until the end to see our new speaker announcement for our online event on November 24th. And here is a short reminder that the application phase for the Pitch Competition is closing on October 31st (yes, Halloween!).And here is your weekly overview of the top travel innovations, trends and startup news:- Emirates has announced a partnership with Singapore-based startup utu, to shake-up the VAT refund sector, adding customer loyalty and rewards elements to the tax-free shopping experience for cross-border travelers. - Etihad has just announced 1.2 billion raised in the first sustainability-linked loan tied to environmental, social and governance targets in global aviation. Well, that's a first. You can see more details on the terms of the loan and its KPIs here.- This might not be directly related to travel but.. uh... thought it was interesting to share with you this piece on how the coronavirus will reshape the spaces around us. "In recent months, we have arrived at a new juncture of disease and architecture, where fear of contamination again controls what kinds of spaces we want to be in. As tuberculosis shaped modernism, so covid-19 and our collective experience of staying inside for months on end will influence architecture’s near future."- They might be only six years old but has just raised $275 million, at a valuation of $7.25 billion. It's impressive to see how TripActions brought new products to the market, opening up new business and presenting fintech solutions for their clients. They are now looking for European companies to acquire and work with, since the continent only represents 30% of their business. Seems like their ability to adapt through the pandemic was key to bring them where they are now - impressive! - Airalo has raised $5.4 million in Series A funding to make travelers stay connected to mobile networks around the world through digital SIM cards.The startup offers local rates without the need to exchange a physical SIM card. Following the last speaker announcement for the FutureTravel Summit, I am happy to announce today that Fran Kauzlaric will be joining us as a speaker, sharing his seeings about the main shifts on the travel experience post-pandemic, through the lenses of a key European airport. Fran works as the Innovation Lead at Brussels Airport and will be joined at the panel by a hotel and an airline representative - more on that soon! Click here to secure your spot for the first FutureTravel Summit, on November 24th (online).See you next Thursday,Ana