Davos, Trump, FITUR, TikTok...

what a week...

January 23, 2025

Hi there,

It’s been a week of Davos, Trump, FITUR, and TikTok… Honestly, where do we even begin?

Let’s pull out the band-aid first? Donald Trump has officially taken office as the 47th President of the United States, and his first hours have been… eventful.

Some important developments:

It’s confusing, to say the least. On the one hand, it's always exciting to see a push for tech innovation, which could unlock some really great things in travel. But on the other hand, the sustainability conversation just got a lot more complex…

Meanwhile, in Madrid, FITUR is in full swing, bringing plenty of travel professionals together. It’s the classic 'heavy tradeshow setup' mixed with some old-school networking - a reminder that nothing beats meeting face-to-face.

And at the same time, Davos is bringing the world’s power players together to talk about everything from the economy to the environment.

One thing stood out loud and clear: climate change is no longer a distant worry for tourism. The EU’s tourism chief, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, made clear that extreme weather is already reshaping where, when, and how people travel.

With tourism projected to grow by 7% annually over the next decade, we need to consider its carbon footprint and how to build resilience into the industry's infrastructure.

As it seems, sustainability isn’t just the right thing to do, but it’s quickly becoming a survival strategy.

And as for our usual content, we're making some changes to our weekly news roundup with some changes on the format - the titles are links and will take you to the news source. Let me know what you think?

Big group, no problem

Amadeus Ventures has just announced a new investment in the German startup Hivr.ai, which uses AI to optimize hotel group sales.

Founded in 2020, the startup automates those tedious back-and-forths (data entry, follow-ups, all of it) so sales teams can focus on what really matters: creating standout experiences. Very aligned with their vision of streamlining hospitality operations.

Travel jobs on the rise?

Once a year LinkedIn launches their “Jobs on the Rise 2025” report, with data from their own platform. And one thing called my attention: travel consulting is having a serious moment - especially in Spain, where it’s now the fastest-growing job.

Looks like the role has evolved, too. It’s no longer just about booking flights; but also about creating deeply personalized, seamless experiences for clients. Many of these jobs now offer remote or hybrid options, reflecting the increased demand for travel professionals as the industry rebounds.

On April 24-25, our friends at EU-Startups will welcome 2,500 founders, investors, and ecosystem players on their annual flagship event.

They’ve just opened the application phase for their Pitch Competition for early-stage European startups, and the prize haul is worth over €750,000, including opportunities for funding and valuable credits. You’ll have 3 minutes on the main stage to wow a room full of big players. Applications close on January 31! 

Also, let’s be honest: Malta is a great place to visit in spring. 😎

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Needing medical help during a trip can be a real nightmare, right? Thankfully, Orchestra - a leading SaaS platform launched in 2005 to help travel professionals produce, manage, and distribute leisure offerings - has partnered with Mybakup. The French startup connects travelers with medical appointments abroad, which means these services can now be integrated directly into travel bookings.

Whether it’s a routine check-up or an emergency, Mybakup is making healthcare abroad more accessible. This is great for travelers, a game-changer for agencies, and a relief for anyone on the go. Peace of mind is a powerful thing :)

Portuguese startup HiJiffy and Bookline have joined forces to improve the guest experience through AI. Bookline’s voice assistant tackles calls and FAQs, while HiJiffy’s digital concierge on WhatsApp ensures a smooth path from reservation to departure. A nice combination :)

For guests, this means immediate and personalized attention at any hour. For hoteliers, it’s about streamlining services and maximizing direct bookings. This partnership signals a bold shift toward smarter, more efficient hospitality.

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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