Here’s our roundup of the people, product and partner news from the global travel industry this week.
This roundup was created with the help of ChatGPT.
Dida brings Lee on board
Travel technology company Dida Holdings has appointed Daryl Lee as group CEO.
Formerly global CEO of WebBeds, Lee brings deep industry experience as Dida enters a new phase of global expansion and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven transformation. Founded in 2012, Dida has grown from a Shenzhen startup to China’s top B2B travel distribution platform with global reach across hotels, flights, ground transport and experiences.
Under Lee’s leadership, Dida will pursue growth through three strategic pillars: expanding global distribution, embedding AI across operations, and investing in innovation. The company aims to bridge China and the world through smarter travel solutions.
Rome2Rio, Mozio
Rome2Rio has partnered with Mozio to enhance its multimodal travel planning platform by integrating Mozio’s extensive global network of more than 3,000 transport providers across 188 countries.
The integration enables Rome2Rio users to discover and instantly book a wide range of last-mile and point-to-point transport options—including shuttles, ferries, vans and even rickshaws and helicopters—directly within the platform. The partnership adds fast booking, multilingual support and 24/7 customer service, while strengthening Rome2Rio’s global coverage and usability. Together, the companies aim to simplify worldwide travel planning by offering seamless, end-to-end transport solutions across more cities and modes than ever before.
CellPoint Digital platform for airlines
CellPoint Digital is claiming a first with the launch of One Source Orchestration (OSO), a payment platform built specifically for the airline and travel industry’s shift to more modern retailing.
OSO addresses fragmented, inefficient payment systems by optimizing complex multi-party, multi-currency transactions with AI, modular architecture and real-time orchestration. It boosts payment flow-through by up to 13% and improves approval rates by up to 25%. Supporting global scalability, local payment methods, fraud prevention and seamless integration with industry systems, OSO enables dynamic pricing, bundling and increased revenue—positioning travel merchants to thrive in the next generation of personalized, digital retailing.
Lighthouse’ AI tools for independents
Lighthouse has launched Smart Distribution, an AI-powered feature that automates pricing and channel management for independent hotels.
Designed to reduce reliance on manual updates and cut high online travel agency commissions, it pushes real-time rate updates across all booking channels while using AI to optimize length-of-stay rules, channel closures and rate offsets. The system also compares competitor rates to maintain market position and directs bookings to lower-cost channels when feasible.
Cloudbeds enhances Signals
Cloudbeds has introduced advanced revenue intelligence and guest marketing features to Signals, its AI foundation model built specifically for hotels.
Powered by causal AI and processing four billion data points per hour, Signals moves beyond correlation to understand cause-and-effect in booking behavior, delivering up to 95% forecasting accuracy. It enables precise rate adjustments, targeted campaigns and hyper-personalized guest experiences. Signals unifies revenue, marketing and operations data, transforming decision-making and helping hoteliers thrive amid shrinking booking windows and changing market dynamics.
Travalyst unveils Data Hub
Travalyst, the sustainability-focused nonprofit founded by Prince Harry, has launched the Data Hub, a neutral platform that transforms fragmented sustainability data into accessible, credible and comparable information for the travel industry.
Initially focused on accommodation data—such as environmental KPIs, certifications and attributes—the Data Hub enables booking platforms, policymakers and businesses to integrate consistent data into their systems. Developed in collaboration with major travel and tech partners, the Hub supports industry-wide sustainability efforts without commercial bias. Future updates will include biodiversity and social impact data, driving scalable change across the sector and empowering more responsible travel decisions.
Simply Owners, AccessibleUK
Simply Owners, a no-fee holiday rental platform, has partnered with AccessibleUK to improve access to inclusive holiday accommodation for disabled travelers.
The initiative will guide property owners in accurately listing accessibility features—including for sensory and cognitive needs—and encourage low-cost improvements. With direct booking and no fees, Simply Owners allows guests to speak with owners before booking, offering vital clarity for those with specific access needs. The partnership aims to reduce barriers faced by the U.K.’s 16 million disabled people, tap into the £45 billion “Purple Pound” and promote a more inclusive travel industry through better information and small, meaningful changes.
RMS, SiteMinder
RMS has partnered with SiteMinder to integrate its property management system (PMS) with SiteMinder’s revenue platform via the new UltraSync connectivity.
This deep integration automates real-time syncing of rates, restrictions and reservations to streamline revenue management for hotels, resorts and serviced accommodations. The partnership simplifies pricing decisions, reduces manual tasks and enables faster responses to market shifts. Especially beneficial for independent operators with lean teams, it enhances efficiency, accuracy and profitability.
Alcatel-Lucent unveils Rainbow Hospitality
Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise (ALE) has launched Rainbow Hospitality, a cloud-based communication and collaboration platform for the hospitality industry.
Built on ALE’s Rainbow Cloud PBX, it integrates with systems such as Oracle Hospitality and call accounting tools to streamline hotel operations and enhance guest experiences. The solution enable real-time communication, automation and system integration. Key features include wake-up calls, room service coordination and guest communication.
San Diego International, SITA
San Diego International Airport’s new Terminal 1 offers a streamlined, tech-driven passenger experience using a suite of SITA solutions.
The 30-gate terminal features common-use check-in kiosks, biometric exit pods, dynamic flight info displays and real-time security wait times. SITA’s common-use platform and Airport Vision systems enable flexibility and efficiency, especially for major carriers like Southwest. The project sets a benchmark for U.S. airports, according to SITA, showcasing how smart infrastructure and early tech collaboration can improve capacity and enhance the passenger journey.
