No drinks? No problem! ✌️

Hi there,

We have been exploring the buzz around alcohol-free travel. It turns out, more travelers are opting for sober vacations, focusing on health, well-being, and genuine connections instead of the usual drinking scenes.

This might surprise those who think holidays are all about the drinks!

On our latest article, you can see how this trend is changing what travelers want and how smart businesses are keeping up with new options, from wellness retreats to booze-free events, that are redefining what fun and relaxation mean in travel.

Check out the full article to find out how to tailor your offerings for health-conscious travelers.

Now let's catch up on this week’s top innovations, trends, and startup news:

Fresh travel startup trends. Our friends at EU-Startups have spotlighted some exciting trends that are set to redefine the industry. From innovative booking models to eco-friendly practices, these trends promise to make travel more sustainable and personalized. Check out their article for a glimpse of what they say it’s next in travel!

They just got 800 new rooms bigger. Originally from Berlin, NUMA Group has acquired UK-based Native Places, adding 800 rooms in the UK. This expands NUMA's European portfolio to over 7,300 units. The acquisition boosts NUMA's presence in key UK cities and aims to streamline hospitality with their digitalized, efficient travel experiences. It's a perfect fit for NUMA's plan to grow in major European urban areas.

No more weather surprises. United Airlines is upping its game by using AI to text live radar maps and real-time updates during weather delays. This means travelers get immediate, clear information about their flights. Nice way to show how cutting-edge tech can boost transparency and improve customer experiences, setting new standards in the industry.

Waving goodbye to flights. Byway, the travel tech startup pushing for flight-free travel, just raised €5.9 million. They’re using the funds to boost their journey-planning tech, and expand into new regions, with the mission to make sustainable travel mainstream. Since launching in 2020, Byway has tripled its growth each year.

Clean power and fresh air. Schiphol Airport is making a big move towards greener operations by testing an Iron Flow Battery. This super battery, using iron and salt water, will power electric ground equipment, cutting down on noise and emissions. If it works well, Schiphol plans to expand its use, aiming for emission-free, fully electric ground operations.

Before we close out, we’re in the last few days for applying to this year’s FutureTravel Pitch Competition. If you’ve been thinking about passing this along to a founder, now’s the perfect time 😉 The jury is fantastic, the prize is awesome, and there are no fees to participate. Ready to go?

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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