Let's make 2025 awesome

Hi there,

Happy New Year! I'm so excited to be back in your inbox. I have a lot of exciting things in the works, and I can't wait to bring them to life with you this year. Poco a poco :)

This newsletter will be a mix of updates, industry trends, and hopefully some inspiring content to help us all stay informed and on top of the main news in the industry. As we plan for the months ahead, we are also open to collaborating on projects. If you have an idea you'd like to work on together, let's talk!

What are you most excited about in the new year ? Reply to this email and let me know, I'd love to hear it!

And to kick things off, here's a look at some of the top travel news this week…

• World’s fastest passenger train. This week China launched a new high-speed train that can reach 400 km/h - for context, this is the fastest passenger train in the world! With improved aerodynamics, stronger brakes, and advanced safety features, passengers can look forward to a smoother, quieter ride with more space. Still in development, but this is set to revolutionize high-speed rail in China… and beyond.

• New year, new trends. January is here, and trend reports are flooding in. It's a lot to keep up with. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t worry. Lennart Dobravsky, who’s known for his harts and deep dives into market trends, has done the heavy lifting and rounded them up in this post. Enjoy :)

• 12 and growing - who’s counting? Mews continues its growth trajectory with the acquisition of Clarity, a major player in the UK and APAC. This means Mews can now reach even more hotels in these key markets and help them use tech to give guests amazing experiences. Clarity brings a ton of experience and loyal customers to the table, while Mews offers access to its awesome global network. Number 12 for Mews; looks like they are mastering the art of expansion.

• One marketplace, lots of possibilities. Travelsoft, a big player in travel tech, just launched Travelsoft Services – which is basically a super-powered travel marketplace. This new platform connects all their different brands, giving their customers access to a huge range of travel options, from flights and hotels to even more unique experiences. Think of it as a one-stop shop for travel professionals. It gives travel agents access to a vast network of suppliers, potentially leading to more competitive prices, innovative travel packages, and a smoother booking experience for travelers. Interesting!

• Hotel Indian magic. Pune-based Guestara, founded in 2022, has raised $500K to revolutionize hotel guest management with AI. Their platform centralizes and automates tasks like check-ins, guest engagement, and personalized upselling, helping hotels boost efficiency, guest satisfaction, and revenue.

• Destination wishlist. The New York Times has unveiled its 52 places to visit in 2025 - and it’s clear this list is a powerful indicator of where travel is heading. A must-see for anyone in the industry. Fun fact: number 2 is my dream trip since my teenage years!

Let’s make 2025 awesome for travel!

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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