New IATA global standards shorten payment timelines for agencies, requiring faster liquidity and more precise cash flow planning. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is entering the final phase of implementing global changes that will significantly impact the daily operations of travel agencies. According to the latest amendments to Resolution 812, which are...
Thailand turns to digital currencies Thailand, the second-largest economy in Southeast Asia, has launched TouristDigiPay – a new system that allows foreign visitors to convert cryptocurrencies into Thai Baht for everyday purchases via QR code. The initiative comes at a time when the country is experiencing a drop in visitor numbers, particularly from China, and...
CarTrawler, a B2B technology solutions provider for the car rental industry, has published its Car Rental Market Monitor report for Q2 2025, revealing significant shifts in consumer behaviour within the European and UK markets. While US users continue to predominantly use credit cards for bookings, European consumers are increasingly...
Booking.com has launched its first Genius Rewards Visa Signature® credit card in the US – and it comes with no annual fee. The goal? To simplify travel rewards and make them more accessible to a wider range of users. This card turns everyday spending into Travel Credits that are worth 1:1 on trips booked through Booking.com,...
A new analysis by TerraPay, a global payments infrastructure provider, reveals a growing gap between traveller habits and the hotel industry's readiness. While 79% of Gen Z members already use digital wallets, 35% of hotels still do not offer this payment option. Gen Z dictates the pace – mobile and in real time By...
Two major online travel agents, Expedia and Lastminute.com, have committed to quicker refunds for travellers for cancelled flights, following coordinated pressure from the European Commission and national consumer protection authorities (the CPC Network). This decision comes ahead of expected new EU rules on refunds for multi-modal...
The World Parity Monitor's half-yearly report reveals the extent of price pressure on hotels' direct sales channels. In three out of every four accommodation searches, at least one OTA (online travel agent) displays a lower price than the hotel's official website, according to the new H1 World Parity Monitor 2025 report, published by...
Emirates has announced a partnership with global cryptocurrency platform Crypto.com, marking a significant step towards integrating cryptocurrencies into its digital payment systems. In the presence of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of the Emirates Group, a letter of intent was signed announcing the future...
The European Travel Agents and Tour Operators Association (ECTAA) has partnered with Travel Ledger, a provider of automated B2B settlement solutions within the travel sector. The collaboration aims to accelerate the adoption of secure, efficient, and digital payment strategies among travel agents and tour operators across Europe. This initiative further confirms the joint...
Air Serbia, the national airline of the Republic of Serbia, has joined forces with Visa, the world's leading payment card company. This partnership heralds the issuance of their first joint, co-branded card, which will be part of Air Serbia's new loyalty programme. As announced by the company, the new loyalty programme will bring a range of benefits to travellers...
Serbia's entry into the SEPA system and the success of local fintech solutions signal the beginning of regional payment convergence with EU standards. We analyse how BNPL, virtual cards and local gateways are transforming business operations within the tourism sector in the former Yugoslavia countries. The payment landscape in the Western Balkans region, encompassing the former Yugoslavia countries...
China has recently made a significant leap in attracting international tourists by introducing instant Value Added Tax (VAT) refunds at the point of purchase. This new policy allows foreign visitors to receive tax refunds immediately at the shops, rather than having to wait for them at airports upon departure. From 8 April 2025, China...