Innovation

💸 Hotelport, led by Fred Bean, secured $1.5 million (1.28 million euros) in non-dilutive funding through Hum Capital on October 2025. This investment aims to accelerate its expansion in the hotel industry by enhancing automation and AI-based solutions for content management and customer engagement. Hotelport's strategy maintains control without diluting equity, leveraging SaaS revenue cycles. The funding enhances their proactive audit services, ensuring accurate hotel information across distribution channels.

📈 D-Edge, an expert hospitality solution, enhances direct hotel sales with a comprehensive strategy. The booking engine boosts conversion rates to over 7% (above the 5.2% 2024 market average) and can achieve 12-13% with a well-crafted visibility strategy. Investment is approximately €170 per month for a 50-room hotel, recouping in fewer than four bookings. New features include encapsulation in hotel websites by Christmas and room optioning within three weeks. Implementation takes about four weeks.

📅 Singapour, en 2025, se distingue comme la meilleure destination MICE d'Asie selon Cvent et GDS Index. En visant 2040, la cité-État ambitionne de tripler ses recettes en tourisme d'affaires grâce à l'innovation, la durabilité et l'accessibilité. Le Singapore Tourism Board note un rebond post-pandémie avec des recettes MICE surpassant les niveaux d'avant-crise. Objectifs : compétences technologiques, pratiques à faible impact carbone et adoption du modèle "bleisure".

🚀 OpenAI's DevDay, held last week, introduced groundbreaking updates to ChatGPT-5, including AgentKit for direct workflow creation without third-party platforms like Zapier. Newly integrated external apps such as Spotify, Canva, and Coursera enhance its utility. Although some features aren't yet available in Canada, ChatGPT is transitioning towards a transaction-oriented "answer marketing" model. OpenAI's vision could rival WeChat's SuperApp status, especially with Johnny Ives joining for a potential smartphone project.

🚗 Waymo plans to launch autonomous taxis in London by 2026, marking a major expansion outside the U.S. This new service aims to integrate with London's public transport. Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet, claims over 160 million kilometers have been driven autonomously, enhancing safety compared to human drivers. Fleet operations will partner with Moove. Initial trials will occur in select London neighborhoods, with a full launch expected in 2026, subject to local collaborations.

🛫 Kayak, October 2025, introduces "AI Mode" powered by ChatGPT for natural language trip planning. Launched initially in April 2025 through kayak.ai, it allows users to submit queries in natural language via desktop and mobile. CEO Steve Hafner highlights the removal of predefined fields, with real-time contextual results instead of cached data. AI Mode aligns with industry trends seen in Expedia and Booking. Currently available in English, with more languages to follow.

📅 Alice Pasquier and Gabriel Groizeleau founded Galdeo in La Rochelle to revolutionize travel agencies with AI, cutting custom trip creation from 72 hours to less. Galdeo offers a B2B SaaS tool for €35/month (€28 annually) per user, launched in 2025. After a beta with 10 partners, they secured 100+ leads at IFTM, scheduling 30 meetings for October-November. Expansion targets include France, India, Luxembourg, Belgium, and Canada. Time saved enhances client relationships, boosting conversion rates.

🌎 Paris, 15 octobre 2025 : 2026 révolutionnera les voyages avec une personnalisation inédite, révèle Booking.com après l'enquête menée auprès de plus de 29 000 voyageurs dans 33 pays. 66% des Français se disent prêts à séjourner dans des hébergements robotisés. 73% optent pour des voyages beauté personnalisés. 82% encouragent le covoiturage, tandis que 62% envisagent des voyages pour tester des relations. La Gen Z est pionnière avec 74% prêts pour des itinéraires expérientiels.

🚀 EHang, October 2025, Hefei: EHang launches the VT35, an autonomous eVTOL with a 200 km range, priced at 6.5 million yuan (€790,000). The aircraft, suited for interurban and cross-border travel, carries two passengers and luggage, flying approximately one hour per trip. It features 8 horizontal rotors, a vertical rear propeller, and fixed wings for efficient cruising. It is undergoing CAAC certification, aiming to revolutionize urban-interurban air mobility.