Here’s our roundup of the people, product and partner news from the global travel industry this week.

UATP, Klarna

UATP, a global payment network that enables organizations to simplify payment processes and expand their payment capabilities, has announced a new partnership with Klarna, an AI-powered global payments network.

This partnership allows airlines to offer Klarna’s payment services like buy now pay later (BNPL), providing customers with flexible payment options for travel services and products. This also allows Klarna to gain access to UATP’s vast base of airlines and travel agencies and strengthens their support for BNPL options which helps their merchants tap into a global BNPL market estimated at $14.55 billion this year. 

“BNPL is an essential payment option for travel merchants to provide their customers. It offers flexibility and convenience to encourage travelers to complete transactions and boost conversion rates,” said Zach Ornelas, SVP of global sales for UATP.

PKFare, Starlings

PKFare, a global travel products aggregator, and Starlings, a
Volans Group company that provides innovative technologyl solutions to empower
agencies, have announced a partnership to enhance PKFare’s extensive global
flight inventory for travel agencies in Latin America.

According to PhocusWright, the region’s travel revenue reached $62.1 billion by the end of 2023, and it is projected to grow to $71.7 billion by the end of 2024.

The collaboration will allow PKFare to extend its reach to
Starlings’ customers who will benefit from its flight content from Asia
Pacific, North America, Europe and the Middle East, which are accessible via
Starlings’ agent front end or API at no extra tech costs. 

Sabre’s new partnerships

Sabre has announced a new partnership with Air Serbia, that country’s national carrier. The agreement establishes Sabre as Air Serbia’s NDC (New Distribution Capability) IT provider, which will empower the airline to deliver a more personalized travel experience and unlock new revenue opportunities.

Jiri Marek, CEO of Air Serbia, commented, “With Sabre’s solutions we can extend our reach to third-party channels including travel agencies and aggregators, ensuring seamless access to our products and services. Together, we are shaping the future of travel retailing and delivering enhanced value to our passengers.”

In addition, Sabre has partnered with travel and leisure services specialist InterparkTriple, which operates InterPark, Korea’s leading travel and entertainment
platform.

InterparkTriple will now use Sabre’s global distribution
system (GDS) to enhance its geographic reach, using Sabre’s advanced APIs and travel
partner network to offer airline and other travel content.

Read more details here.

IBS Software new partnerships

IBS Software, an SaaS solutions provider, has partnered with payments specialist Stripe.

The collaboration provides an increased range of payment solutions for customers using IBS Software’s iStay platform. In addition, businesses will be able to offer features like one-click booking and access to popular payment options like instalments and buy now, pay later methods.

The new options will be available at the time of booking and throughout the guest journey across in-room dining, tours and activities and parking, which will all be bookable through saved payment methods, making the customer experience easier.

Meanwhile, IBS has also announced a partnership to migrate Fuji Dream Airlines to a cloud-native platform. 

The migration ensures higher availability, reliability and business continuity through multiple zones of availability in the region with AWS’s public cloud infrastructure.

Eviivo, HyperGuest

Property management software company Eviivo has partnered
with HyperGuest, a platform that connects hotels directly with
travel providers.

This collaboration enables Eviivo customers to gain access
to HyperGuest’s distribution network. Key benefits include a broadened
market reach, seamless integration, lower costs, real-time availability and
pricing, customizable offerings and insights. In addition, properties will be able
to maximize their exposure while maintaining greater control over bookings and pricing.

“This partnership not only expands the distribution
opportunities for our customers but also aligns with our mission to simplify
property management and help our clients thrive,” said Gwenal Merliin, executive
vide president of strategic solutions at Eviivo.

Amadeus, Brisbane Airport

Brisbane Airport, the third busiest in Australia, is partnering with Amadeus to move passenger processing technology to the cloud and power more than 300 agent assisted check-in desks across both terminals. In addition, the airport will implement 100 new self-service bag drop units and more than 260 self-service check-in kiosks from Amadeus.

Sarah Samuel, senior vice president for airport and airline operations at Amadeus, said: “With flexible cloud infrastructure and advanced self-service options, the technology foundations are being laid so Brisbane can offer passengers an outstanding experience for years to come.”

InDrive announces Indianapolis as its first Midwest market

InDrive, a ride-sharing service and global mobility platform, has announced Indianapolis as its first expansion to the Midwest and third U.S. market.

The company, known for enabling passengers to select drivers to negotiate and agree prices for specific rides, said it has had more than 240 million app downloads in 46 countries and is expanding its footprint across the U.S after its debut in South Florida last July and launch in Tallahassee this September.

“We hope locals and tourists alike embrace
inDrive’s unique model to foster honest and fair conversations between riders
and drivers when traveling to nearby cities, local hotspots and attractions,”
said Adam Warner, head of U.S. operations.

GoNexus Group appoints managing director for new divisions

GoNexus
Group, an experiences and mobility travel group, has announced the appointment
of Javier Arevalo as managing director of two new divisions, Global DMC Network
and Hospitality Partnerships.

Bringing more than 30 years of leadership experience in the travel technology and hospitality industry,
Arevalo will lead the two divisions by focusing on streamlining destination management
services and forging strategic partnerships with hospitality providers.

AC Group appoints new joint managing directors

Experiences provider AC Group has
announced the appointment of joint managing directors Mafalda Teixeira and
Dermot O’Neill.

Texeira, with over seven years at AC Group and 20 years in
hotel and tour operations, and O’Neill, with nearly a quarter-century of
experience in the DMC sector, will strengthen leadership and drive growth for the company.