Summer Slowdown or Travel Boom?

Hi there,

Summer is definitely here, as travel is buzzing everywhere, and many travel execs are out of the office. While I’m counting the days until my own break, we’ve been busy preparing some exciting announcements for the coming weeks and months!

Don't forget: we are in the last days for startups to apply to our Pitch Competition. 10 finalists will be selected to pitch at this year’s FutureTravel Summit - and I can’t wait to meet them!

Now, let’s jump into the latest travel trends, innovations, and startup news.

AI making travel accessible. A recent survey by Matador Network shows that 82.5% of travelers using AI to plan trips for people with disabilities are super happy with the results. GuideGeek, Matador’s AI assistant, helps find accessible accommodations and attractions, showing AI's impact on inclusive travel.

WeRoad’s CEO will speak at the FutureTravel Summit! We are very excited to have Andrea D’Amico, CEO of WeRoad, speaking at this year’s FutureTravel Summit! With over 20 years in the travel industry, Andrea leads WeRoad, a fast-growing pioneer in group adventure travel. Don’t miss his insights - secure your ticket today and connect with industry leaders on November 28th. We can’t wait! 

Beyond the Nordics. Danish vacation rental startup Landfolk raised €10.3M to expand across Europe. The investment will boost their handpicked second home marketplace, aiming to turn empty holiday homes into top-notch getaways across Europe. Founded by ex-Airbnb employees, Landfolk focuses on providing premium, aesthetic experiences for modern travelers.

Chasing the $1.3T luxury travel slice. Essentialist, a premium digital travel service, raised $10M in a Series A round led by IRIS Ventures. Launched in 2017, they craft personalized travel experiences in 1,000 destinations. The funds will support brand development, product innovation, and scaling of its B2B channel, aiming to revolutionize the luxury travel booking experience with advanced technology and personalization.

Blending real estate and hospitality. Helsinki-based Bob W and Osborne+Co launched a £120M fund to turn old hotels and offices into serviced apartments across Europe. This joint venture targets 20-25 buildings, aiming for 1,500-2,000 units, making these spaces more eco-friendly and modern. Bob W will operate the tech-enabled apartments, focusing on modern, flexible accommodations for travelers.

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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