Ronan Daniel

💻 Speakspots.com, in 2025, launched an AI-driven platform for rural and upscale hotels, tested near Gijon, Spain. The AI, accessible via WhatsApp, boosts ancillary revenue by €2.50 per room per night. France hosts over 16,600 hotels, with 40% in non-urban areas. The AI aids in overcoming language barriers and supports local economies by recommending services and activities. Speakspots aims to offer a personalized guest experience and promote sustainable tourism across Europe.

📰 Fly Fairly, based in Singapore, targets Gen Z and millennials (ages 20-40), who represent over 65% of global air travel spending. 68% prioritize flexibility. Established by CEO Alex Yardley, it offers access to 650+ airlines and supports 100+ payment methods, including cryptos and BNPL. In April 2025, Fly Fairly acquired LFG, enhancing its reach by engaging users through social content and listings. Fly Fairly emphasizes transparency, control, and flexible payments, adapting to evolving travel habits.

🗺 Alipay+, July 2025, Asia. Alipay+ integrates AI-powered Voyager into its digital wallets for seamless travel planning and booking. Available in China, Hong Kong, and the Philippines, with partners like Agoda and Trip.com, it connects 1.7 billion users to over 100 million merchants. Voyager enhances user experience with intelligent assistance and service integration throughout the journey. Announced April, using Model Context Protocol, launching summer 2025. Douglas Feagin of Ant International highlights tech-driven travel adaptability.

💻 2025, in the hotel industry, 86% of hoteliers use AI for automating repetitive tasks, enhancing efficiency and allowing focus on client relations. 26.9% adopt automated responses like chatbots for customer inquiries. 23.1% use AI for administrative processes, 19.2% for post-booking communications. Investment in AI remains limited due to ROI uncertainty and integration complexities. The aim is to transform operations and enrich client interactions, not just automate. AI should enhance human roles, improving hospitality excellence.

🚀 Joby Aviation, an American company, delivered an electric air taxi to Dubai, UAE, marking the first of its fleet. The commercial service is set to launch in early 2026, connecting key locations like Palm Jumeirah and Downtown. The aircraft can carry a pilot and four passengers at 320 km/h, reducing the 45-minute car journey from DXB to Palm Jumeirah to just 12 minutes. Joby received flight authorization in Dubai in 2024, committing to a six-year service.

📱 Zhejiang, China, June 28, 2025: The Zhejiang province launched "Zhejiang Travel," an AI-powered digital platform for personalized travel experiences. Announced at the World Tourism Alliance headquarters in Hangzhou, it aggregates hotel bookings, digital payments, transport access, and personalized itineraries. Unlike Shanghai's "Easy Go" app, Zhejiang Travel integrates with WeChat and AliPay. With a 32.7% rise in foreign visitors in 2024, driven by relaxed visa policies for 55 countries, Zhejiang Travel aims to disperse tourists to lesser-known sites.