Credit cards tips

Seven startups involved in the travel industry have raised nearly $124 million this week.

Marriott International acknowledged that bank lending challenges in the U.S. might impact the pace of its hotel development in North America. But so far, the banking crisis hasn’t affected its hotel pipeline. The company forecasted that it would sidestep any major problem.

Two travel tech startups have raised nearly $28 million this week.

Five travel tech startups raised $63.2 million this week.

Online travel company Ixigo has introduced “Plan by Ixigo,” an artificial intelligence trip planner that uses OpenAI’s ChatGPT to help plan itineraries and accommodation options. The tool also delivers real-time destination information and automatically maps and generates a detailed itinerary, along with weather and air quality index updates.

India’s Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has inaugurated UDAN 5.2, a new phase of the regional connectivity scheme “Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik” to improve last-mile connectivity in remote and underserved regions with small aircraft, specifically those with 1A (less than nine seats) and Category 1 (less than 20 seats). 

Turkey’s banking watchdog has stopped allowing credit card payments by instalment for foreign travel, such as flights, travel agency fees and accommodation, in a step seen dealing a blow to foreign travel operators.

Marriott International has entered into a partnership with HDFC Bank in India to introduce the country’s inaugural co-branded hotel credit card.