Data management provider Grasp Technologies announced the promotion of Tina Quattlebaum to chief customer officer and the hiring of former Emburse executive Nick Duenholter as VP of commercial growth and partnerships. Quattlebaum, formerly Pfizer's director of global travel and card operations, joined Grasp in August 2024. Duenholter will help clients use travel and expense data to improve visibility, performance and decision-making.
According to Amadeus Travel Intelligence, during Oktoberfest, air bookings from India and Japan increased by 60% and 31% respectively, while the US declined by 10%. Solo travelers accounted for 47% of air bookings, and stays of 14 nights or more rose 13% year-on-year. Hotel occupancy averaged 70.9%, with ADR slightly up to €326.
Statistics Canada data shows Canadian-resident return trips from the U.S. rose 10.2% year-over-year in July, a fourth consecutive month of growth, but largely due to a weak 2025 base. Car trips rose 12.8%, while air trips fell 1.4%. Compared to 2024, car and air travel remain about 27-29% lower. Canadians are shifting to destinations like the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica, while U.S. cities like New York offer discounts to lure visitors.
Amadeus Travel Intelligence data reveals a surge in travel demand for the August 2026 solar eclipse, with Spain and Iceland seeing significant interest. Flight bookings to airports along the eclipse path increased 25% year-on-year, with Bilbao (+366%), Asturias (+292%), and Valencia (+137%) leading. Hotel occupancy rose 16% and ADR increased 36%. Short stays (1-5 days) grew 57%, and solo travel increased 48%. Top long-haul markets include the USA, Japan, Argentina, and Canada.
SAP Concur analyzed international air bookings in Concur Travel from Jan 1 to Jun 30, 2025, comparing with the same period in 2024. Global international business travel volume rose 2.6% year over year in H1 2025, up 4.5% in Q1 and 0.6% in Q2. U.S. business travelers paid the most for international flights at $2,675 per ticket on average; Japanese travelers about $1,950; Italian travelers $719. The U.S. remained the top global destination, accounting for 15.3% of international business trips.