All published updates

Agoda VP on Online Travel's Broken Promise and AI's 'Reddit' Dilemma

Agoda's VP of Corporate Development Tim Hughes said at WiT Queenstown that online travel's promise to simplify the messy process between customers and suppliers remains unfulfilled, with content and booking increasingly separated. He noted that AI models like ChatGPT source most travel content from Reddit, which is not good advice, and OTAs should be the solution to this dilemma. He emphasized a commercial rather than moral responsibility, and discussed Asia's QR-code payment advantage and friction for inbound travelers.

Best Destinations to Visit this September Equinox

Booking.com highlights six destinations for the September equinox, covering fall in the Northern Hemisphere and spring in the Southern Hemisphere. Research indicates 39% of travelers consider spiritual influences when planning vacations. Featured destinations include Vermont, USA; the Dolomites, Italy; Kiso, Japan; San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina; Tasmania, Australia; and the Garden Route, South Africa, with accommodation suggestions.

Google Maps Updates Ask Maps with Hotel and Event Discovery

Google Maps has updated its conversational interface Ask Maps with hotel and local event discovery, extending the service to more countries. Users can ask for hotels with specific price ranges and ratings using natural language, and Ask Maps returns real-time prices and availability, along with suggestions for nearby activities and booking links. Personal Intelligence has been added, allowing users to connect Ask Maps to Gmail for trip-related suggestions. The service is now available in over 150 countries, including Australia, Brazil, and Canada.

Hilton Garden Inn Busselton Team Delivers Memorable Experiences with 'Brighthearted' Service

Hilton's 'Behind the Stay' series spotlights Hilton Garden Inn Busselton in Western Australia, showcasing how the team's 'Brighthearted' service philosophy makes the hotel a beloved destination for locals and visitors. Team members like Assistant Front Office Manager Ntula and Hotel Manager Des create memorable guest experiences through genuine care and personalized service, including preparing comfort food for US firefighters and helping a wedding party.

Quality Pays: New Vrbo Research Finds Travelers Will Spend More on Vacation Rentals They Trust

Vrbo released the Built to Stay Report, surveying over 1,700 travelers across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, UK, France, Germany, and Australia. The study found that 86% of travelers would pay more for a higher-quality listing, and 81% would pay more for a property with strong trust signals. Cleanliness, reliable amenities, and quick host response are key quality signals, while verified reviews and overall scores are important trust signals.

Startup Chaty uses AI receptionist to help tour operators manage inbound calls

Australian startup Chaty offers an AI receptionist that integrates with booking systems to help tour and activity operators handle inbound calls and website inquiries, checking live availability and completing bookings. It uses a usage-based SaaS model with monthly fees from $29 to $379, and integrates with platforms like FareHarbor and Rezdy.

Expedia Group's Latest Research Shows APAC Travel Growth but Complexity Risks

Expedia Group research shows 65% of APAC travel professionals expect demand growth in the next 2-3 years, but complexity in payments, content, and technology risks slowing momentum. India and Australia have highest confidence at 82% and 76%.

Chaty AI raises $1.15 million seed round to expand AI assistant for travel experiences

Australia-based startup Chaty AI has raised $1.15 million in seed funding to expand its conversational AI platform for tours, activities, and attractions operators. The platform offers an AI-powered virtual phone assistant that can answer questions, access live availability, and facilitate bookings. The company also launched a website chatbot that can be embedded into operator websites for multi-channel customer interactions. The funding will be used to accelerate product development, grow the engineering team, and expand globally.

June 2026 Housing Rental Market Report Released

Meadin Research released its June 2026 housing rental industry development report. The report shows that the rental market entered its peak season in June, with rents recovering in key cities and accelerated entry of affordable rental housing and talent apartments. Global rents showed mixed performance: US rents rose for the fifth consecutive month, Canada's decline narrowed, while the UK and Germany maintained growth. In China, Beijing and Shanghai rents both reached 96 yuan per square meter per month. On policy, MOHURD optimized provident fund rental withdrawal rules, and Beijing introduced measures such as no-invoice withdrawals. On corporate dynamics, REITs and ABS financing innovations…

OneReg Lands $4.4M for Aviation Regulation Compliance Platform

OneReg, an aviation compliance platform, secured $4.4 million in Series A funding co-led by Alterned Capital and Co:Act Capital. The funds will accelerate expansion into the UK and Europe, and boost sales, customer success, and product development. Founded in New Zealand in 2020, OneReg is used by airlines and airports across New Zealand, Australia, the Middle East, and the US, with triple-digit revenue growth.

Expedia Group shutters Lastminute.com.au booking site

Expedia Group is shutting down Lastminute.com.au, an Australian OTA. The site closes on June 2. Existing bookings are unaffected, and bookings remain open until May 15 for travel within nine months. After May 15, bookings only for travel by Nov. 1. From June, users redirected to Expedia.

Australia Travel Advice: Middle East Escalation and Bushfire Risk

The UK FCDO updated travel advice for Australia, noting that escalation in the Middle East has caused widespread travel disruption, including airspace closures and flight delays. Additionally, there is a higher risk of bushfires in Australia from October to February. Travelers are advised to monitor airline updates and review bushfire safety information.

Impact and considerations

Middle East escalation may affect global flights, and Australia's bushfire season may impact business travel safety; travelers should monitor risks.

CEO Spotlight: Caecilia Chu of YouTrip

Caecilia Chu, CEO of Singapore-based travel payments company YouTrip, shared insights on changing traveler payment behavior in APAC, YouTrip's AI use, and the potential for financial platforms in distribution. She noted that APAC travelers increasingly value real-time rates and transparency, and YouTrip offers convenient currency exchange via its multicurrency e-wallet. The company operates in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Australia, with plans to enter two new markets in 2026. On AI, YouTrip is deploying an intelligent customer service co-pilot aiming to automate up to 70% of queries.

SAP Concur Survey: 78% of Travel Managers Expect 2025 Budget Growth

SAP Concur's Global Business Travel Survey polled 700 travel managers across seven markets from April 30 to May 12, 2025. 78% expected their company's 2025 travel budget to increase, versus only 7% expecting a decrease, with Canada at 92%. 69% said budgets do not reflect how important business travel is to success, and 67% said company leaders undervalue their role. 43% of travel managers said they have the most influence over travel program changes, while 41% named the CFO. 99% said their company has updated, is updating, or is considering updating travel policies or training to protect employee data from cyber threats; 99% would be comfortable with travelers using AI for booking, rebookin…

Melbourne Airport Overhauls Self-Serve Bag Drop with Amadeus

Melbourne Airport will install more than 70 Amadeus Seamless Bag Drop S7 Air and S7 Air Hybrid units, becoming the first airport in Australia to adopt the series. The units feature a side-loading design that eases handling of large items such as wheelchairs, pushchairs and trolleys, and can automatically detect incorrectly positioned bags or those requiring a tub, reducing manual intervention. Roughly half of the units can operate in hybrid mode, switching between fully self-service and agent-staffed operation.

Amadeus & Globetrender Unveil 2026 Travel Trends

Amadeus and trend forecasting agency Globetrender released 'Travel Trends 2026,' highlighting six trends based on Amadeus proprietary data: The Pawprint Economy, Travel Mixology, Point-to-Point Precision, Pop Culting, Pick 'n' Stays, and Innovation Tourism. The report covers pet-friendly rail pilots, A321XLR long-range narrowbody jets, AI-driven trip planning, hotel personalization, and innovative destinations like Shenzhen.

Drukair Signs First Global Distribution Agreement with Amadeus

Drukair, Royal Bhutan Airlines, the national flag carrier of Bhutan, signed its first global distribution agreement with Amadeus, making its fares, schedules and inventory available on the Amadeus Travel Platform to travel agencies worldwide. Headquartered at Paro International Airport, Drukair connects Bhutan with key Asian cities including Bangkok, Delhi, Kathmandu, Singapore, Dhaka, Kolkata, Guwahati, Bagdogra, Bodh Gaya and Dubai. Travel sellers in India, Thailand, Singapore, Nepal, Bangladesh, the UAE, Australia, the UK, Germany and France will be able to issue tickets, with further global rollout slated for 2026.

US State Department Issues Antarctica Travel Advisory: Level 2 Exercise Increased Caution

The US Department of State issued a travel advisory for Antarctica on 23 September 2025, at Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. The advisory cites environmental hazards from extreme and unpredictable weather and limited emergency services. There are no US government consular services in the Antarctic Region; the closest US embassies and consulates are in Argentina, Australia, Chile, New Zealand and South Africa. US government resources in the region are committed to the US Antarctic Program.

Impact and considerations

The advisory highlights the lack of US consular services and limited emergency response in Antarctica, requiring business travellers to prepare thoroughly.

US State Department Issues Antarctica Travel Advisory: Level 2 Caution with Detailed Guidance

The US Department of State issued a travel advisory for Antarctica on 23 September 2025, at Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. The advisory cites extreme weather and limited emergency services, notes no US consular services in the Antarctic Region, and lists the closest embassies in Argentina, Australia, Chile, New Zealand and South Africa. It recommends buying insurance, travelling with a professional guide or IAATO member organisation, enrolling in STEP, preparing a contingency plan, and contacting the State Department's Office of Ocean and Polar Affairs.

Impact and considerations

The advisory provides specific pre-travel preparations and emergency measures, offering operational guidance for business travellers planning to visit Antarctica.

Perth Airport Enables Full Biometric Experience with Amadeus

Perth Airport has partnered with Amadeus to deploy an end-to-end biometric passenger system covering check-in to boarding. The airport will add close to 100 new self-service check-in kiosks and replace nearly 40 traditional check-in counters with bag drop units. Travelers on selected airlines can opt for biometrics at self-service kiosks, then validate identity at bag drop and boarding with a brief face scan, keeping passports and boarding passes in their pockets. The project enables Australia's first fully automated departure process using biometrics, building on collaboration dating to 2015 and biometric trials from 2022.

Amadeus extends engagement with Australian Department of Home Affairs for Departure SmartGates

Amadeus announced the extension of its collaboration with the Australian Department of Home Affairs and its subsidiary Vision-Box Australia under a new multi-year agreement to continue supporting the Departure SmartGates program across ten Australian international airports. The agreement includes a mid-life refresh of the SmartGates infrastructure and deployment of Amadeus Visiontec facial recognition technology to extend asset life and ensure contemporary technology. Amadeus has been the provider since the program's inception in 2015.

U.S. State Department: Australia Travel Advisory Remains Level 1, Exercise Normal Precautions

The U.S. Department of State reissued its Australia travel advisory on May 30, 2025, keeping it at Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions). The reissue follows a periodic review with minor edits. The advisory also points travelers to the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), the Country Security Report for Australia, emergency planning, and CDC travel health information; it strongly recommends buying insurance before travel and checking with providers about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancellation coverage.

Impact and considerations

Australia remains at Level 1, meaning U.S. officials see no elevated risk beyond normal precautions. Companies planning business travel to Australia need not adjust their overall risk assessment because of this advisory, though routine compliance items such as enrollment and insurance still apply.

SAP Concur: CSR and Business Travel Sustainability

A SAP Concur blog post examines corporate social responsibility (CSR) in business travel and expense management. It cites a Morgan Stanley survey in which more than 80% of companies see financial opportunities aligned with sustainability goals and 79% expect higher revenue. SAP Concur's 6th Annual Global Business Travelers Research Report found 27% of employees would decline a business trip due to environmental impact or inability to choose sustainable options. The article also notes 36% of travel managers struggle to meet sustainable travel expectations without adequate budgets, and about 27% of business travelers say their company cut back on allowing them to pay more for sustainable opti…

Survey: CFOs Prioritize Cost Optimization for 2025 Growth

SAP Concur released its third CFO Insights report, based on a survey of 350 CFOs and senior finance leaders across eight countries from December 2024 to January 2025. 69% of finance leaders cite optimizing costs and efficiency as the top goal for growth, with 58% turning to automation and AI. 94% say AI has helped improve decision-making, and 73% say AI has positively impacted cost and risk reduction. Top external challenges cited are worsening economic conditions (41%), geopolitical tensions (37%), and supply chain constraints (32%).

SAP Concur Launches Global Tax Management Solutions Amid E-Invoicing Mandates

SAP Concur has launched global tax management solutions to help companies keep up with rapidly evolving tax regulations. The solutions support various phases of the tax management process, from expense report creation to approval, payment, and reconciliation, and leverage AI and machine learning to maximize tax recovery. Digitized receipts and e-invoice mandates are already in place in countries such as China, Japan, and Mexico. SAP Concur's solutions currently support France, Spain, Japan, China, Mexico, Australia, and New Zealand, with support for Portugal, Belgium, and Switzerland coming soon.