StartUp tips

You finally found the perfect hotel for your upcoming trip. You check the total in U.S. dollars and input your credit card information. Booked. Easy, right?

Much of the travel industry around the world is changing rapidly. The variety of startups that raised money this week is an example of how much opportunity there could be to capitalize on those changes.

Travelsoft Group, the European leader in travel SaaS comprising the renowned brands Orchestra, Traffics, and Travel Compositor, is proud to announce the launch of its second StartUp Contest. With prizes worth up to €250,000, the competition aims to identify and support innovative startups in the technology and travel sectors across Europe. Travelsoft StartUps Contest, conducted jointly with Travelsoft brand Travel Compositor, which organised the first edition of this contest in 2022, and the other Travelsoft Group companies Orchestra and Traffics, will select up to three winning projects among those that participate. Available in Spain, France, Italy, and Germany, it welcomes technology and travel-based ventures with a history of up to two years in the market.

Colorado aerospace company Boom Supersonic is building the world's latest faster-than-sound passenger plane, called the Overture.

Southwest Airlines has acquired a startup that makes renewable ethanol, which can be used to make jet fuel. 

Seven travel startups from a variety of sectors have raised over $150 million in the past two weeks.

In the early 1990s, Abraham Karem developed the Predator drone, a deadly aircraft that transformed modern warfare and birthed a market estimated to be $14 billion this year. For the past 30 years, the “dronefather” has been hard at work with Pentagon funding on his second act: technology to make more efficient, longer-flying helicopters and other rotorcraft.

Rami Zeidan, founder and CEO of Life House, has resigned from the hotel startup, according to a letter to shareholders sent Monday and seen by Skift.

Startup carrier Avelo Airlines said Thursday that it was profitable in the fourth quarter of 2023, a significant milestone as the new airline continues to grow and begins to look towards its next phase.

Mews, the growing hotel tech startup, has made its eighth acquisition. 

Startup BermudAir is adding two new U.S. dots to its map. The airline has unveiled new flights between its namesake island and Baltimore and Orlando starting in March.

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is joining with Infecar (Feria de Gran Canaria) to identify entrepreneurs playing a key role in reshaping the hotel and new business model landscapes.

Dubai hospitality has always gone for high impact. Whether it’s billion-dollar resorts on man-made islands or luxury hotels colloquially known as seven-star properties, they have served to put the emirate on the global tourism map.

Two travel tech startups announced fundraises over the past week totaling more than $203 million.

Miami startup Foothold.co has launched a real estate crowdfunding platform for investing in luxury vacation rentals.

Three travel tech startups have announced fundraises this week of more than $57 million.

Tripadvisor co-founder Steve Kaufer, who stepped down as CEO last year after 22 years at the helm, has just unveiled his next big venture.

Five travel tech startups announced fundraises of more than $57 million this week.

Mews, the property management system startup that raised $185 million late last year, is upping its focus on helping hotels implement next-generation personalization and AI. 

Eurostar rival Evolyn is expected to run its first trains in 2025.

A new airline plans to launch operations to a top vacation destination next month aboard aircraft with all premium seating.