Justin Dawes

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Hotel Tech Company Sceptre Hospitality Resources Acquires Booking Engine

A U.S. hotel tech company with equity backing has acquired a booking engine based in Ireland.  Houston-based Sceptre Hospitality Resources said Thursday that it has acquired Avvio.  The private equity firm Serent Capital made an undisclosed “significant investment” in Sceptre Hospitality Resources in 2020. The Avvio acquisition was funded through that investment, Sceptre said.  Sceptre…

Justin Dawes | 1 year ago

Travel Technology

Travel Tech Investment Is on Unstable Ground: Here’s What Industry Pros Say

Sometimes raising investment is hard, and sometimes it's harder. But that's no reason not to move forward — a product that's strong and needed will still sell.

Justin Dawes | 1 year ago

Travel Tech Investment Is on Unstable Ground: Here’s What Industry Pros Say

Airlines

United Airlines, Alcohol Wipes and Finding New Customer Touch Points

Some passengers want to talk to people. Some do not. United Airlines wants make sure they all have a choice.

Justin Dawes | 1 year ago

United Airlines, Alcohol Wipes and Finding New Customer Touch Points

Airlines

Airline Startups Connect and Breeze Share Early Survival Strategies

Top executives at Connect Airlines and Breeze Airways both alluded to the high-risk nature of the aviation business, but they also said that it's a good time to start up a carrier. It seems both companies are doing the early heavy lifting they will need to be successful.

Justin Dawes | 1 year ago

Airline Startups Connect and Breeze Share Early Survival Strategies

Travel Technology

Four Seasons Won’t Let Tech Replace the Human Exchange Expected of Luxury

Luxury brand Four Seasons believes strongly that guests who are spending more money need to be pampered a little, says its chief commercial officer. But it is smart to shy away from certain types of tech because of that?

Justin Dawes | 1 year ago

Four Seasons Won’t Let Tech Replace the Human Exchange Expected of Luxury

News Blog

Former Sabre CEO Sam Gilliland Hired to Lead Airline Software Company Accelya

Sam Gilliland, who was the CEO of Sabre Corporation for 10 years, is taking the top role at Accelya. The Spanish company, which makes software for the airline industry, said Monday that Gilliland has been hired as CEO. Gilliland replaces Jim Davidson, who is stepping into the role of vice chairman. Accelya was acquired in…

Justin Dawes | 1 year ago

Travel Technology

Red Roof Outsources Tech Stack to HotelKey to Help Combat Labor Shortage

Service is a premium for hotels coming out of the pandemic, but it's really hard to provide that service when workers are hard to come by. HotelKey is hoping the big brands see tech as part of the solution to the problem.

Justin Dawes | 1 year ago

Red Roof Outsources Tech Stack to HotelKey to Help Combat Labor Shortage

Startups

Car Rental App Kyte Raises $60 Million

Kyte wants to simplify car rentals, while yet another short-term rental platform, this time in Germany, raises millions.

Justin Dawes | 1 year ago

Car Rental App Kyte Raises $60 Million

Travel Technology

Are Travel Tech Companies Safe From Layoffs? These Execs Are Optimistic — For Now

While Big Tech is laying off thousands, the travel tech companies interviewed for this column are hiring dozens of people. That's good for now, but we will see how hard the global economy gets hit next year. If too hard, some cutbacks may be inevitable.

Justin Dawes | 1 year ago

Are Travel Tech Companies Safe From Layoffs? These Execs Are Optimistic — For Now

News Blog

Bus Ticket Marketplace Busbud Makes 2nd Acquisition of 2022

Busbud, an online marketplace for bus and other ground transport tickets, is now offering more software services to operators in that industry following a company acquisition.  Montreal-based Busbud has acquired Toronto-based Betterez, according to LP Maurice, CEO and co-founder of Busbud.  The deal was made with a mix of cash and equity, Maurice said. As…

Justin Dawes | 1 year ago