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Generative artificial intelligence (AI) and environmental, social and governance (ESG) activities are attracting the highest levels of investment in travel technology at present, according to innovation specialist, Plug and Play. Experts from the Silicon Valley-headquartered firm shared a range of insights into the latest investment trends on the Travel Tech Stage at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2023 ). The innovation specialists explored how macroeconomic headwinds and fears of a global recession were affecting travel startups during an ‘ Investment Trends Leading Travel Tech ’ session. Increased focus on profitability Kristie Choi, Early Stage Tech Investor at Plug and Play, noted that venture capital (VC) investment witnessed a “dramatic pullback” in the second half of 2022, a trend that continued into Q1 2023. “While this looks pretty scary, there are still billions of dollars of dry powder out there to be gained,” she told attendees. “Travel tech round dynamics tend...

Big data is having a transformative effect on hospitality across the Middle East and beyond. However, leading hoteliers speaking at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2023 have emphasized that human intervention remains essential if owners and operators wish to derive genuine value from the information. ‘ Hospitality Debate: What More Can Big Data Unlock? ’ featured a range of expert insights about the power of data to improve guest experiences within the Middle East’s hospitality sector. Paul Clifford, Group Editor – Hospitality & Design at ITP Media Group, moderated the session while Chris Hartley, CEO of Global Hotel Alliance, Tommy Lai, Chief Executive Officer at General Hotel Management Pte Ltd, Sandeep Walia, Chief Operations Officer – Middle East at Marriott; and Nicolas Huss, CEO of Hotelbeds, take to the ATM Global Stage were among the panelists. Data capabilities Commenting on advancements in the hospitality sector’s data capabilities over the past decade, To...