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This page contains 5 sections: developer log, member activity, latest posts, upcoming meetups, and classified ads.

Developer log


Version 0.4 (April 21): Add external link for each item in recent posts.
Please send feedback to Ian via WhatsApp or email ian@travelmassive.com.

Member activity

Here's 10 things that happened most recently:


• Christine DePalo followed Joyce Oladeinde (3 hours ago)
• Joyce Oladeinde followed Gilbert Abeiku Santana Aggrey (3 hours ago)
• Scott Monaco upvoted Are you attending WTM London 2026? — Let's connect at World Travel Market (3-5 November) (4 hours ago)
• Bjorn Troch registered for WTM Wednesday: Travel Massive Social With Hoppswap and NaviSavi (5 hours ago)
• Miya Liu upvoted Photos: Travel Massive Singapore Industry Social during ITB Asia 2026 (5 hours ago)
• Tanij Mahamud Rakin joined the community (9 hours ago)
• Sam Lindner registered for Live Show: Travel Massive London, Stripe and Travel Trends Podcast (WTM Eve) (9 hours ago)
• Leo Braga followed Casey Mead (10 hours ago)
• Casey Mead commented on Photos: Travel Massive Singapore Industry Social during ITB Asia 2026 (10 hours ago)
• Stephanie Khalil followed Ian (11 hours ago)

Recent posts

Here are the 10 most recent posts:


#1. Travel Vlog: A Different Way to Experience Versailles: (1 upvotes, 1 comments).


Posted by Mary Estacion in Video , Versailles, France, Paris, History.
Featured on Oct 24, 2026 (Today).
External link to website.

1 comments:

Mary Estacion (Travel vlogger, Mary Goes Round the World):

I'm Mary, a heritage travel storyteller exploring the world one surprising backstory at a time. As a Filipino-American documentary travel filmmaker, I create cinematic stories about culture, identity and place on my YouTube channel "Mary-Goes-Round the World", always centered on the people who live there.

I visited Versailles expecting grandeur and royal history, but what surprised me most was how the palace was designed to project power at every turn. This vlog explores the details that stood out most during my visit and how they changed my understanding of the place.

Learn more about my travels at marygoesroundtheworld.com


End of comments.

#2. Photos: Travel Massive Singapore Industry Social during ITB Asia 2026: (10 upvotes, 3 comments).


Posted by Ian in Article , Singapore, Networking, Community, Travel Massive.
Featured on Oct 23, 2026 (yesterday).
External link to website.

Thanks to everyone who joined our [Travel Massive Singapore Industry Social](www.travelmassive.com/events/singapore-travel-massive-industry-social-2530425630) during ITB Asia at the iconic [Harry’s on the Marina Bay](www.instagram.com/harryssingapore/) waterfront. It was a relaxed evening of networking that brought together travel brands, creators and startups from across the industry for introductions and conversations.

The social event welcomed executives, tour operators, travel creators, and founders from Singaporean and international travel and technology companies including *Arawana Group, Destination Capacity, Furama Resort & Villas Danang, Gullies Tours, Headout, Ilex Luxury Travel, Indulge Me, Journey Stack, LeapAway, Lost Plate, MakeYourAsia, MM Communications, Nomae Golf, Pear Anderson, ATTA, Platform 195, Revinate, SABA Hospitality, Secret Experiences, Seek Sophie, Springtide Strategy, Stripe, TPConnects, Transio, Travel Token Marketplace, Ulavi*, and [many more](www.travelmassive.com/events/singapore-travel-massive-industry-social-2530425630).

A number of creators attending [TravMedia’s IMM Asia](travmedia.com/immasia/) conference also came along, including Beijing-based influencer [Shen Wei](www.travelmassive.com/@shenwei007), one of China’s top travel KOLs on Sina Weibo, who has visited more than 90 countries.

We were also joined by Travel Massive chapter leaders from Lisbon ([Tiago Relvao](www.travelmassive.com/@tiagorelvao)), Melbourne ([Casey Mead](www.travelmassive.com/@kckiwigirl)), and Ho Chi Minh City / Saigon ([Natalya Wissink](www.travelmassive.com/@natalya)). Also making an appearance was [Kei Shibata](www.travelmassive.com/@keishibata), a long-time supporter of Travel Massive and OG Tokyo chapter leader.

A big thank you to everyone who joined us for the evening, and to [Natalya Wissink](www.travelmassive.com/@natalya) for organizing the event.

— See you next time in Singapore!

#Supported by Travel Trends Podcast

Shout-out to Travel Trends Podcast for sponsoring welcome drinks for our early arrivals. Their free, virtual-first [Travel Trends Summit](www.traveltrendspodcast.com/travel-trends-summit-2026?utm_source=travelmassive&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=travelmassive) runs on 28–29 October, with more than 60 speakers from TourRadar, Fora, Brand USA, Amex GBT, Lonely Planet, and Travel Massive.

*Want to be part of events like this? Join the [Singapore Travel Massive](www.travelmassive.com/posts/singapore-travel-massive-891019239) community to stay updated on upcoming events, and contact [Natalya Wissink](www.travelmassive.com/@natalya) if you’d like to sponsor an event.*


3 comments:

Ian (Founder, Travel Massive):

It was a great evening connecting with present and new members. After the event we headed to rooftop bar Level33 which has incredible views of MBS.. well worth the visit!

Thanks Natalya for organising and everyone who attended!


Casey Mead (Founder, CM Communications):

What a great night - awesome to see / meet everyone! Thanks for coming out.


Leo Braga (CEO, Indulge Me):

Thanks, Travel Massive!


End of comments.

#3. I built Trek after splitting costs on road trips with friends: (2 upvotes, 1 comments).


Posted by Jozef Pridavok in App , Startup, Group Travel, Planning, Road Trip.
Featured on Oct 23, 2026 (yesterday).
External link to website.

1 comments:

Jozef Pridavok (Software Developer, 1TNT Apps):

I'm Jozef, a European living in South America. On a three-person road trip to Bolivia, only two of us installed the expense app. We had to manage spending in Paraguayan guaraní, Bolivian bolivianos and US dollars.

On a later trip to Buenos Aires there were four of us, more currencies and again someone who didn't want to install an app. I sent the final balances through WhatsApp and Signal because everyone wanted to see the result.

Afterwards, friends also asked what the Bolivia trip had cost, how much a restaurant meal cost and which places were worth visiting.

That's why I built Trek: to keep track of the trip's costs, work out who owes whom and share a link that friends can open without installing the app.

What Trek does

• Log stops with photos, expenses and notes
• Multiple currencies with automatic exchange rates
• Works out who owes whom
• Friends can join by link, no account needed
• Share the whole trip as a read-only link
• Free for one trip, with more in Trek Plus

Try Trek at 1tnt.link/trek and let me know what you think. I'd love your feedback in the comments!


End of comments.

#4. Vocevia keeps family at home informed with check-ins, your itinerary and an emergency plan: (1 upvotes, 3 comments).


Posted by Lewis P in App , Family Travel, Safety, Itinerary, Startup.
Featured on Oct 22, 2026 (2 days ago).
External link to website.

3 comments:

Lewis P (I build travel applications to help my family travel and make memories, Fruglar):

Hello everyone,

My name is Lewis. I love technology, and I’m usually building or tinkering with something when I notice a problem I cannot quite solve.

When my wife and I planned an Alaska cruise, we wanted our teenagers at home to be prepared for the “just in case.” We had an itinerary, hotel and cruise contacts, people to call, instructions for home, and directions to important documents, but nothing that put everything into a clear order for them.

So I built Vocevia, an installable travel handoff web app for the people staying home.

It organized where we expected to be, when we planned to check in, who they should call first, and what they should do if plans changed. It also let us leave calming voice instructions and keep the serious guidance we hoped they would never need behind separate access steps.

I chose the name Vocevia to express the idea that your voice shows the way. A familiar voice can make instructions feel more personal and reassuring than a document or checklist.

We used Vocevia during the trip. It gave our teenagers one place to look and gave us peace of mind that they knew what to do. That trip became the first real test of the app.

Friends, family, and other travel advisors have encouraged me to make it available more broadly, so here I am.

Vocevia is still in its pilot stage, and I know there is more to refine. I believe it could become a useful final step in the pre-departure process for travelers, travel advisors, and group organizers.

I would really value feedback from this community:

• Is the purpose immediately clear?
• Where would this fit naturally into the pre-departure process?
• What would you add, remove, or make easier?

You can explore the app and its sample guide at vocevia.com.


Ian (Founder, Travel Massive):

Hi Lewis,

Thanks for sharing Vocevia with the Travel Massive community.

My feedback is that it's a different USP to communicate. I haven't come across any products like this before, so that makes it harder to explain to people. The product name should ideally convey what it is, imo.

I guess you could call it a vault for emergency contacts and instructions. That's my simplest explanation so far!

I would also refine the website as it looks quite AI generated and seems to have quite a lot of messaging - see if you can narrow the scope a bit and give it more of a classic SaaS vibe so it's much easier to understand the features, pricing, and now to trial it or get started.

Hope this feedback is helpful!


Agnieszka Pawtel (B2B Sales Specialist, Rosotravel):

The example with your teenagers made the purpose clear to me. I’d lead with that story when explaining Vocevia, especially the idea of hearing a familiar voice when you’re unsure what to do next.


End of comments.

#5. Anyone with a blog or website running on PHP needs to urgently upgrade NOW.: (3 upvotes, 3 comments).


Posted by Ian in Discussion , Website, Blog, Blogging, Wordpress, News.
Featured on Oct 21, 2026 (3 days ago).


3 comments:

Ian (Founder, Travel Massive):

Hey folks please upgrade your PHP versions as a new vulnerability called php2shell was published only hours ago that effects millions of blogs and websites.

If you run a travel website, WordPress, Drupal or Joomla blog... this means you. Check with your hosting provider and if you've self installed PHP ensure that you're upgraded.

Thanks to @nathan-james for sharing this news.


Vincent (Alles over Oostenrijk):

Updating PHP only helps if your hosting provider has installed the latest security patches. These have been available since 16:00 Amsterdam/Vienna time, and a good hosting provider should already have applied them.

Ask your host to confirm. If they have no idea what you’re talking about, find another hosting provider today.


Ian (Founder, Travel Massive):

A few articles in mainstream news since this happened:

PHP Armageddon: OpenAI, Google’s Wiz find ancient holes, panicking the internet
techcrunch.com/2026/10/21/php-armageddon-openai-googles-wiz-find-ancient-holes-panicking-the-internet/

The biggest-ever internet security threat has been known for 22 years. AI made it a crisis in 2 days
edition.cnn.com/2026/10/23/tech/ai-cybersecurity-php2shell-explained

AI just discovered a bug putting 70pc of world’s websites at risk
www.afr.com/world/north-america/websites-go-dark-as-ai-discovered-bug-sparks-global-security-scramble-20261022-p617nf

Remember to upgrade!


End of comments.

#6. Localtime tracks new restaurant, café and bar openings in Istanbul, Paris, London and more: (5 upvotes, 5 comments).


Posted by Emrah Yüceer in Website , Restaurant, Food, Startup, Resource.
Featured on Oct 21, 2026 (3 days ago).
External link to website.

5 comments:

Emrah Yüceer (Founder, KKAT):

I built Localtime because I wanted a simple, no-frills site that keeps up with new restaurant openings in major cities and tells people what's new.

I've been experimenting with local recommendations for a long time. Localtime is a side project and an experiment in crawling local data (restaurants, events and other local happenings) and presenting it in a way that's useful to locals and tourists alike.

What it is
Localtime is a live calendar of new restaurants, cafés and bars worth leaving home for. Each city has its own feed with the newest openings at the top. Istanbul, Paris, Athens, London and Bangkok are live now, and Barcelona is coming next.

Human-eyed, AI-assisted
AI helps gather the data, but people check every place. Editors read local pages, kitchens' own channels and the first photos of each new place, then confirm it before it's listed. Photos come from those sources, are never AI-generated and are credited on the image. Each listing has a short note with a little-known fact about the chef, the building or the place, and a researched address that links to Google Maps.

Business model and what's next
The plan is to support Localtime with advertising in its magazine-style content. Next steps are launching Barcelona, adding new places continuously and updating every city daily at local midnight.

Try it out at localtime.ai and let me know your feedback in the comments, thanks!


Daniel (Cofounder & Product Builder, SAOStay):

Really love the concept and the 'zine style concept. Can see this being a source for folks as they travel around and hope you get to New York / LA / SF in the states! One quick feedback though, maybe find an AI skill to help with the writing a bit as some of the restaurant review descriptions don't make a ton of sense to the English reader. A short snippet from an Istanbul restaurant (btw—really not trying to knock on you as I got pretty excited wanting to plan a trip to Istanbul the moment I saw your page):

"Go for the Relish Burger. Bosna Bulvarı is why it feels like this side of the Bosphorus villages rather than a Kadıköy burger counter. The Edremit kitchen is the argument; the numbered door is why it is here."

I'd also recommend making the `save` CTA on the top right of the restaurant page more obvious and visible to the user. Just my 2 cents! Love what you're building


Emrah Yüceer (Founder, KKAT):

Thanks Daniel. I need to work on it.


Agnieszka Pawtel (B2B Sales Specialist, Rosotravel):

The short notes about the chef or building give people a reason to choose a place beyond the menu. How do you decide which new openings to include?


Jeremy ():

I really like the idea. A few things I thought when using: 1) I would like to filter by certain types of restaurants (wine bars, for example) and 2) I wanted a map view of a city.


End of comments.

#7. What a fake job offer taught me about safe migration and ethical recruitment: (2 upvotes, 3 comments).


Posted by Sam Adeleke in Discussion , Africa, Lagos, Nigeria, Visa, Benin.
Featured on Oct 21, 2026 (3 days ago).


3 comments:

Sam Adeleke (Chief Explorer, TravelWithSamGlobal):

I'm Sam, co-leader of the Travel Massive chapter in Lagos. I also run TWS Global, a Lagos-based tourism firm offering travel booking and services, including immigration advisory. Part of my work is helping people move abroad safely.

Nigeria is home to around 237 million people, and millions more Nigerians live and work abroad. A travel agent or immigration adviser is often the first professional people speak to before moving, so we're well placed to spot the warning signs.

A conversation I had recently is a reminder of why that matters. I spoke with a young Nigerian woman I'll call Ada. She is a client who had initially contacted us about relocating to Canada. But somewhere along the line, a friend from her polytechnic days called with what sounded like a better opportunity: a Project Manager position with a construction company in Benin Republic, Nigeria's neighbour to the west.

She trusted him since they knew each other from school, and everything looked legitimate. So she travelled… but got a shock on arrival. Ada was asked to pay 1 million CFA francs, about ₦2.7 million (roughly US$1,750), for documentation before she could start work. That's more than a year's salary for many young Nigerians. Surprisingly, Ada paid, using money borrowed from her boyfriend's parents, with the hope of paying it back monthly from her salary. Then they told her to wait a week before resuming. In her own words, "The day I started was the day I was introduced to network marketing instead of the actual job I came for." From Project Management to Network Marketing!

I felt a mix of anger and compassion as she narrated this story. I asked why she didn't decline and immediately ask for a refund from the friend who introduced her. Apparently, "he's working for the company so he definitely had to join them in convincing me to do it. It was more like a brainwashing." Moreover, "the company had accommodation and there was feeding [meals were provided]. They also promised a Benin Republic International Passport after 6 months to 1 year of working with them, which was the main reason I stayed." So she worked from January to August this year, hoping things would improve, until the police raided the office and arrested some of the leaders. According to her, they are in Cotonou prison as I write this.

Ada left Nigeria seeking a job opportunity in Benin Republic, but she returned with a ₦2.7 million (roughly US$1,750) debt that is yet to be repaid to her future in-laws. Today, her relationship is under strain, and the job that was supposed to change her life has left her dealing with consequences she never anticipated.

This is why I keep talking about safe migration and ethical recruitment. Sometimes the danger isn't that an opportunity looks suspicious. It's that it looks so convincing that we stop asking questions. She admitted that she never properly researched the company before leaving Nigeria. She simply trusted this former schoolmate of hers, who was part of the scam.

For starters, before you travel for any kind of job, ensure you verify the employer independently. Confirm the role, the contract, the salary, and every fee you are asked to pay. Most importantly, speak to people who have no connection to the recruiter, especially professionals like us. Never allow the excitement of a foreign opportunity to silence your instincts. A job offer is not proof of a job. A familiar face is not proof of good intentions. And a promise of a better life is not a guarantee that your life will be better than it is now.

Finally, remember: the goal is not just to emigrate by all means. It is to arrive safely at your destination with your dignity, your money and your future intact.

Selah.

Have you or someone you know been offered a job abroad that turned out to be something else? Share your story or advice in the comments.


Ian (Founder, Travel Massive):

Thanks for sharing this story Sam. It's a good highlight too that not everyone can be a digital nomad!


Sam Adeleke (Chief Explorer, TravelWithSamGlobal):

Yes indeed, Ian. We should be empathetic to the plight of vulnerable nomads that are being advantaged of. Such stories should be continually amplified so that perpetrators will be held accountable and ultimately discouraged from such behaviors.


End of comments.

#8. I’m building Globebug to bring trip planning and research into one place: (3 upvotes, 1 comments).


Posted by Emit De La Rosa in App , Startup, Website, Planning, AI.
Featured on Oct 21, 2026 (3 days ago).
External link to website.

1 comments:

Emit De La Rosa (Founder & Developer, Globebug):

Hello everyone! Greetings from Texas, my name is Emit and I created Globebug.

Planning a trip today often means piecing it together across multiple apps and websites: saving ideas in one place, researching destinations somewhere else, building an itinerary in another tool, using a separate map for getting around, tracking expenses elsewhere, and leaving your photos scattered across your phone once the trip is over.

Globebug is my answer to that. Instead of another tool that handles one part of travel, the trip itself is the center of the experience, and Globebug stays with the traveler before, during and after a trip.

Travel Inspiration

Explore destinations and travel ideas visually, save places that interest you, and use them as the starting point for a new trip. You know those TikTok links you saved? Save them in Globebug!

Planner and Trip Pulse

The Planner is the center of Globebug. Build multi-city trips, organize activities by day, manage accommodations and flights, track your budget, add travel routes, and see your journey geographically rather than as a list of reservations. Trip Pulse looks at the pace and overall load of your itinerary. It isn't there to tell you how to travel, but to give you more context about the trip you're creating.

Gladys, the AI assistant

I didn't want Globebug to be built around typing a prompt and receiving a generated itinerary. The traveler stays in control of the plan. Gladys works with the trip you're already building: she can answer questions, make suggestions and help with changes. Because she understands the context of your trip, it's more like "asking a local" than starting from scratch with every question.

On the road

The iOS app gives you your itinerary, planned places, activities and routes while you travel, so you don't have to rebuild the trip in another app once you arrive.

Memories

After the trip, upload your photos and, where location and date information is available, Globebug places them on the right day and place of your trip. You can share public links by photo, trip day or entire trip. Here's a shared trip day:

www.globebug.com/s/r7Jr6rQDrX9j1FXrPUNmWQ

Why I'm sharing it here

Globebug touches several areas of travel technology, from AI assistants to mapping and discovery, and I'd love to connect with others in the Travel Massive community working on those problems. Globebug is live today with a public demo, and I'm happy to provide Guest access to the full platform for anyone who wants to explore further. You can also see feature demos on the Globebug YouTube channel: youtube.com/@Globebugtravel


Deleted Account ():

Hi, Greetings from Tanzania, am a tour operator for a company named Tanzania Sod Experience Tours, i am interested with the idea of yours just curious to know , can i as a tour operator upload my itenerary and sell in your platform


End of comments.

#9. Are you attending WTM London 2026? — Let's connect at World Travel Market (3-5 November): (16 upvotes, 13 comments).


Posted by Ian in Discussion , London, Startup, Marketing, Resource, Community.
Updated on Oct 21, 2026 (3 days ago).


13 comments:

Ian (Founder, Travel Massive):

It's that time of year when World Travel Market London (3-5 November) rolls around!

👉 Feel free to share if you're attending, speaking, exhibiting, hosting an informal meetup or event, or anything else worth sharing about WTM London!

Here's a roundup of Travel Massive events in London during World Travel Market

AI Workshop: Building The Agentic Travel Journey (Mon 2 Nov)
Watch, or build alongside us, as an AI-native travel booking journey is created live at Stripe's London HQ with Christian Watts.
travelmassive.com/events/3322430638

London Live Show with Stripe and Travel Trends (Mon 2 Nov)
Our annual WTM Eve gathering hosted at Stripe's London HQ, with two panels and a live recording of the Travel Trends Podcast with Dan Christian.
travelmassive.com/events/3976790834

London WTM Creators Social with Stay22 (Tue 3 Nov)
Travel creators take over the Museum of Illusions on WTM opening night, with two trips to be won in the room (apply via the waitlist).
travelmassive.com/events/2497786467

London Travel Massive with Hoppswap & NaviSavi (Wed 4 Nov)
Lose the lanyard for cocktails and live DJs on the Village Underground rooftop in Shoreditch. Reserve your place now.
travelmassive.com/events/9386484161

WTM London: Investor & Entrepreneur Meet-Up (Thu 5 Nov)
Founders and investors connect over drinks on the Future Stage at WTM London. Hosted by Matthew Gardiner (Travel Massive London) and Natalya Wissink (Travel Massive Vietnam).
travelmassive.com/events/6051685035


Sammy Rose (Travel Creator & Strategist, Rose Worldwide):

Thank you Ian for this round up! I just got my media pass approved and was getting lost trying to find all the events. You're my WTM saviour. I'm on the waitlist for Travel Massive and Stay22 - fingers crossed!


Casey Mead (Founder, CM Communications):

Can’t wait! Will be attending as many events as I can. Will also be at ICRT on the Monday if anyone is heading along :)


Tonya Fitzpatrick (CEO/ co-Founder, World Footprints LLC):

I'd love to attend ICRT. Where is it? I'm assuming that is before the London Live w/Stripe on Monday evening?


Ian (Founder, Travel Massive):

Contact @debbie-hindle for details (email Debbie@icrt.global)


Deleted Account ():

Yas


Tonya Fitzpatrick (CEO/ co-Founder, World Footprints LLC):

Yes. This will be my first time attending. Other than scheduling appointments and attending different events, what are some things that I should look out for or the best way to navigate this event?


Nathan Sado (Content Creator, Speaker, Writer, Photography, Discover Life Media):

I think this is our 5th or 6th WTM. Been in the industry for over a decade now. Always a good time to be had at WTM and Travel Massive meet-ups whether at WTM or other travel conferences.


Ema Silva (Travel Writer, ):

Yes I am attending! I would like to connect with content creators and travel writers.


Karen Warren (Writer, WorldWideWriter):

I'm going to be there - I think I've probably been about 10 times now! Looking forward to connecting with fellow content creators and travel brands/DMOs, and to the Travel Massive Tuesday evening event.


Eimy Santos (AI Solution Expert, Maya):

Hello Everyone! Eimy Santos from Maya here, attending for the 2nd year to WTM. Exciting to meet new faces and connect with those ready to power their communications and process with AI made for travel, if any one has that on their radar let's meet at the event or at one of the after-work gatherings 💃.


Jay Munro-Michell (Head of Buyer Network & Senior Manager Central Europe, ETOA - European Tourism Association):

We are at WTM & excited to invite travel companies to meet ETOA at our stand S4 - 308.
Any travel businesses seeking to develop their product knowledge across Europe?
We are offering FREE invitations/registrations to some of our events in 2027. Stop by and let's get talking!


Manisha Anand (Travel & Destination Content Creator, Impact Media Marketing):

Yes, I love attending WTM every year. So looking forward to all the meetings and activities going on. Love the energy at Excel .


Deleted Account ():

I won’t be attending WTM London this year, but I’d be delighted to connect! I represent Tanzania SOD Experience Tours, a local tour operator based in Arusha, Tanzania. We’d love to explore potential partnerships and opportunities to collaborate with international travel businesses. Looking forward to connecting! 🌍🤝


Declan Hughes (Founder / Director, Fly Cruise Stay (Fly High Pay Low) ®):

Hello. Looking forward to attending WTM London for WeAre.Travel Looking forward to seeing everyone there!


Carlo Del Mistro (Founder, Stiplo):

Thanks for pulling this together, Ian. I'll be at WTM and speaking a couple of times:

- Mon 2 Nov: on the AI panel at the London Live Show with Stripe.
- Wed 4 Nov, 10:20, Trends Stage: "AI Names Your Property, But Who Gets the Click?" First findings from the Stiplo London Study: 40,000 questions to ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity and Google AI Overviews, covering nearly 1,500 properties. Which hotels AI recommends, and where the links send the guest.
- Thu 5 Nov, 09:45, Future Stage: panel on whether travel needs more technology, or less complexity.

If you work with hotels or destinations and AI visibility is on your list, come and say hello, or message me here for a coffee.


End of comments.

#10. Odessia just launched an AI agent that books hotels. Good or bad for direct bookings?: (3 upvotes, 9 comments).


Posted by Nathan James in Discussion , AI, Travel Tech, Trends, Hotel, Booking.
Featured on Oct 18, 2026 (6 days ago).


9 comments:

Nathan James (Founder, NJoy Consulting):

Odessia (odessia.com) just launched as an always-on AI travel concierge. You can text it and it will book hotels, flights and experiences for you. As it's IATA-registered, it books like a real agency and the launch post has had over 2 million views on X.

I'm curious, with the rise of agentic bookings, what hoteliers and travel startups think?

Is anyone already seeing bookings from AI agents?


Ian (Founder, Travel Massive):

Here's a good interview with Francis Davidson (founder of Odessia, and previously Sonder) from a few months ago: www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hrzA92x264

And here's the X launch video that got 2 million views for anyone that missed it: x.com/FDavidsonT/status/2110417685486141697

I haven't followed the launch, but I am not convinced of agentic travel booking just yet 🤔


Nathan James (Founder, NJoy Consulting):

Cheers for sharing these to give better context Ian. Didn't want to share them for being spammy!


Nacho Alvarez (Founder of DiverDoo, DiverDoo - Find your dive):

Every day, it becomes clearer that AI agents can take on tedious tasks. But I don’t think they’ll replace every existing business. They’ll likely create a new space alongside what’s already there.

Some users will prefer booking hotels and activities through conversational AI. Others will still enjoy exploring options, comparing prices, and planning their perfect trip themselves.

Either way, everyone in travel needs to take a closer look at their content and platforms, and strengthen their SEO and GEO strategies to stay on the radar! ;)


Nathan James (Founder, NJoy Consulting):

Replace, no. Work alongside, yes.

Totally agree it’s a wake-up call. Beyond SEO/GEO, I think the important thing for businesses is making sites agent-ready: structured data, machine-readable availability and pricing, and a way for agents to actually book.


Ian (Founder, Travel Massive):

fwiw, was at the AI tech talk at ITB Asia in Singapore today and @david-peller asked the audience who has booked with an AI agent and not a single hand went up! So, let's see how that changes in a few months...


Nathan James (Founder, NJoy Consulting):

Wow thanks for that contribution, really useful. Interesting.


Agnieszka Pawtel (B2B Sales Specialist, Rosotravel):

Would a supplier be able to recognise an AI-assisted booking if it came through an existing OTA? That seems relevant to knowing how much demand these tools are actually bringing.


Bali Cipta (Tour operator, Balicipta.id):

I think the honest answer is ‘it depends on whether you own the relationship.


End of comments.

Upcoming Events

HERE'S THE NEXT 5 UPCOMING EVENTS:


#1. Nomads in Paradise 2026 — The Nomad Festival in Siargao


City: Siargao Island, Philippines
When: October 16-25 (10 Days), starting at 10:00 AM
Description:

🌴 10 days where remote work meets island life

Nomads in Paradise (NIP) returns to Siargao Island, Philippines — and it's more than a conference. It's a 10-day festival that blends world-class talks with surf, wellness, and the kind of networking that actually leads somewhere.

Set in General Luna during peak October weather and consistent swell, NIP brings together 150 location-independent professionals for keynotes and workshops by day, and beach parties, island hopping, and bioluminescence tours by night — all on fast fiber and satellite internet so you never miss a beat.

Because proximity creates opportunity. NIP is where the international nomad community and the Philippines' digital talent meet, mingle, and make deals happen naturally.

👉 Who Nomads in Paradise is for

Digital nomads and remote workers, Filipino freelancers and creators, founders and entrepreneurs, developers, marketers, and VAs — anyone building a life that isn't tied to a desk.

✨ On the program

- Keynotes & workshops from nomad-world speakers
- Coworking sessions with reliable, fast internet
- Wellness day — yoga, ice baths, and fitness meetups
- Island hopping, surf lessons & bioluminescence tours
- Networking dinners and beach parties

📍 The details

🗓️ October 16–25, 2026 (10 days)
📍 General Luna, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte, Philippines
🎤 Featuring Ace Gapuz, Lian Carla De Ocampo, Tressia Lee, Stefan Williams, Nat Barbosa, and more
🎟️ Multiple ticket tiers available — from social passes to full festival access

Organized by NIP & Baybayin Hub, supported by the Department of Tourism Caraga.

👉 Grab your ticket — Spots are limited to 150

View the full program and speakers at nomads-in-paradise.com

Link to event page

#2. Extraordinary Travel Festival 2026


City: Bangkok, Thailand
When: October 22-25 (4 Days), starting at 09:00
Description:

Meet Fellow Travelers At The Extraordinary Travel Festival 3rd Edition in Bangkok, Thailand

Join us in Bangkok, Thailand from October 22-25 for The Extraordinary Travel Festival 3rd edition and meet with the world's most accomplished travelers for 4 days of keynotes, panels, workshops, and networking that shines a spotlight on extraordinary travel and adventures.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OctJwxUt3w

Three reasons why you should join us:

Community; meet new & old friends who share your passion of travel
Content; listen in to over 30 incredible travel speakers
Chart a course; explore the destination & nearby region

We bring travelers together from around the world, the Marco Polos of the 21st century; Who are any of the following:

• Accomplished, avid, and adventurous travelers
• Traveling to every country in the world
• Passionate to explore extreme destinations
• And love to have fun and network with likeminded people

Learn more and secure your ticket at www.extraordinarytravelfest.com

Link to event page

#3. NomadMania Travel Awards


City: Bangkok
When: Sunday 25 October, starting at 17:00
Description:

The NomadMania Travel Awards is the annual event to celebrate achievements in travel organized since 2021. They are meant to celebrate travelling efforts in the past year.

Our aim is not to make people travel for the award, but rather to award the ones who travel regardless of that and to inspire new generations of travellers!

This year the NomadMania Travel Awards is held as part of the Extraordinary Travel Festival.

This year the NomadMania Travel Awards is happening live in Bangkok, Thailand on October 25th as a part of the Extraordinary Travel Festival. Join us in person, or watch the livestream online.

• When: Sunday 25th October
• Time: 5pm - 7pm
• Location: Ambassador Hotel (Grand Ballroom)
• Map: maps.app.goo.gl/ktT1MNnPjuJeCQzR8

👉 See this year's finalists: nomadmania.com/awards2026-voting/
🍺 There will be a cash bar and people you can also order food.
🇹🇭 All members of Bangkok Travel Massive are welcome to attend in-person

Link to event page

#4. Travel Trends Summit V3


City: Online
When: October 28-29 (2 Days), starting at 10:00 AM EDT
Description:

Travel Trends Summit V3 is where the global travel industry comes to learn, connect, and prepare for what’s next.

In 2024, we launched the first AI Summit built exclusively for the travel industry.

In 2025, over 2,000 founders, executives, and innovators joined us to explore how AI is transforming travel.

In 2026, we’re evolving. Travel Trends Summit V3 will expand beyond AI to cover the full spectrum of what it takes to build, grow, and lead in the global travel industry today.

Across two days of keynotes, panels, demos, and candid conversations, you’ll hear from the people actually doing the work, not just talking about it.

youtu.be/pJlJb5PJ1lU

Hear from 60+ speakers including: Travis Pittman (Founder & CEO, TourRadar), Frank Marini (CEO, Railbookers), Jake Peters (Co-Founder, Fora), Janette Roush (Chief AI Officer, Brand USA), Marilyn Markham (Amex GBT), Susan DeBottis (Lonely Planet), Sally Bunnell (Founder, NaviSavi), and leaders from Travel Massive including Matthew Gardiner (London Director) and Ian Cumming (Founder).

Learn more at www.traveltrendspodcast.com/travel-trends-summit-2026

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN AT V3

We’re bringing together leaders from across every sector of travel to deliver practical, real-world insights:

🤖 AI & Emerging Technology. What’s real, what’s working, and what’s next.
📢 Marketing & Customer Acquisition. How to reach and convert travelers.
🚀 Building & Scaling Travel Companies. Honest lessons from operators.
🌍 Distribution & Revenue Strategy. Smarter, more profitable routes to market.
🤝 Partnerships & Ecosystem Growth. The relationships that unlock scale.

Who is this event for? If you're a travel founder, executive, marketer, technologist or investor who wants to know what's next, this summit is for you.

Virtual-First. Built for a Global Industry.

We’re keeping our Summit V3 fully virtual so anyone, anywhere can join.

With attendees from 50+ countries and speakers across every major travel vertical, you’ll get a truly global perspective without leaving your desk (or couch).

REGISTER NOW FOR FREE

Thanks to our Sponsors and Partners, we're able to offer this global event free for everyone to register and attend, so we can maximize reach and benefit for our global audience.

A big thanks to the Travel Massive team for our ongoing collaboration. We love this community, and we can't wait to have Ian Cumming, founder of Travel Massive, as a speaker this year as we go Beyond AI. Please join us.

Secure Your Spot Today!

Link to event page

#5. FutureTravel Summit Barcelona 2026


City: Barcelona, Spain
When: Thursday 29 October, starting at 10:00
Description:

FutureTravel Summit is Europe's premier travel innovation event and brings together 500+ attendees and 20+ international speakers, featuring leading travel executives, innovators, startups and investors.

The agenda is built around the ideas and trends that are actually moving travel technology forward. Keynotes, fireside chats, and panels with founders, operators, and investors who are in the middle of building it, and not just talking about it.

Between sessions, there's time to connect. A networking lunch, breaks that don't feel rushed, and a crowd that makes the hallway conversations just as good as what's on stage 👀

Come be part of FutureTravel Summit in Barcelona this year!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wVNxTT9mWo

Pitch Competition
We're looking for 10 travel, tourism & hospitality startups to pitch on stage at the FutureTravel Summit in Barcelona, in front of 450 founders, investors, and travel tech leaders. Applications are open until July 20th. Details about the jury, and the prize package are coming soon. Apply to pitch at: tally.so/r/VLde6N

Call for Speakers
The FutureTravel Summit 2026 lineup is coming together. We are looking for speakers with real experience, honest insights, and a fresh take on what's shaping the future of travel. Apply to speak at: tally.so/r/jaENY1

Networking Opportunities
Aside from great networking opportunities with a dedicated networking app, you will gain valuable insights into the industry’s momentum, explore the latest innovations and trends, and celebrate the visionary people shaping the sector.

Get your tickets to FutureTravel today as this an event you don't want to miss!

See you at this year's FutureTravel Summit on October 29 at Fábrica Estrella Damm in beautiful Barcelona.

Interested in becoming an event sponsor? Send an email to ana@futuretravel.com

👉 Learn more at futuretravel.com/summit/

Link to event page

#6. Barcelona Travel Massive: FutureTravel Summit Afterparty


City: Barcelona
When: Thursday 29 October, starting at 12:00
Description:

Celebrate FutureTravel Summit with Barcelona Travel Massive and YES-Trips.

Join us on Thursday, October 29th at Kafuné, 241 Calle de Lepant.

Together, with our partner YES-Trips, we’re inviting our community of travel professionals for an evening of drinks, fun networking opportunities and new connections following the day’s FutureTravel Summit.

Our party will wrap-up the conference and we’re excited to invite the wider Travel Massive community to join attendees. It’s an opportunity to continue conversations, connect with new people, and celebrate a successful summit in a relaxed setting.

🍷 Welcome drinks are on us thanks to YES-Trips, which is relaunching its brand over the course of the evening, and giving away a space on a fun new trip they are launching in Egypt in January, 2027.

Attendees from 49+ companies including: Airbnb, Allplane.tv, Altavella, Arival, byAir, Carmaline, CET Academic Programs, Controlá, Destination Capacity, DiverDoo, Doozi, Edge of the Leap, Tourwriter, EU Business School, FutureTravel, G Adventures, greenclicks, Grubtech, Happiness On The Way, Headout, Hoppswap, JayWay Travel, Journey, Laura No Esta, NaviSavi, Onix, Paximizer, Qynvo, Secret Experiences, Sirma, Stoke Travel, Takiri Travel, Ticketdoor, Travecta, TUI Group, waltru, WeTravel, Yes-Trips and more.

DETAILS:
Kafuné, Calle de Lepant, 241
📍 Map link: maps.app.goo.gl/R5GNoyX1oN9UMT6U7
🗓️ Thursday 29 October, 2026
⏰ 18:30 - 20:30
🍷 Welcome drinks sponsored by YES-Trips
👗 Business casual
👉 Spots are limited — RSVP now to save your place at the closing event.

About YES-Trips
For YES-Trips, it’s more than trips. It’s passport stamps and a group chat that never dies. It’s bragging rights and jealous DMs when the feed lights up. It all started in 2009 when a group of exchange students in Maastricht plotted their dream travel list with a first stop of Oktoberfest. One bus and one blurry weekend later, a mission emerged: make epic travel affordable for all adventurers, and that vision continues today. Learn more at: yes-trips.com.

About FutureTravel Summit
FutureTravel is led by @ana-metz, a Barcelona-based founder with a background in startups, innovation research and travel. Ana launched FutureTravel to connect the dots between what’s being built and where the industry is heading — and hosts the annual FutureTravel Summit, bringing together the founders and executives shaping travel’s next chapter.

This networking event is free to attend for Travel Massive Barcelona members. Please note a ticket is required if you wish to join us at FutureTravel Summit - you can find more details at: futuretravel.com/summit/.

We look forward to welcoming you on 29 October!

— Benjamin, Casey and the Travel Massive team

Link to event page

Classified Ads

Here's the 10 latest classified ads:


Classified #1. Mini Creative Coworking at Lapoint Ericeira (4 November)


• Company: The Remote Creatives
• Location: Ericeira, Portugal.
• Join us for breakfast, chats and a liiiittle bit of coworking at Lapont Ericeira! This event is free to attend, but you need to make sure you've registered as we have incredibly limited spaces. Connect with fellow location-independent creatives and regulars of the Lapoint cowork space.
End of classified.

Classified #2. Get Rewarded for Your Travel Recos. Become a Founding Trippie


• Company: Triprecos
• Location: Remote.
• Your travel experiences are worth something. Why not get rewarded for sharing them? Triprecos is a new travel platform that's changing how people decide where to stay, eat, and explore. We connect travelers with real people who've actually been there and share their travel style. We call them Trippies. And we're looking for our founding community! As a Trippie, you'll: • Share your favorite hotels, restaurants, activities, and hidden gems. • Get matched with travelers who share your taste. • Earn tips for your recommendations, with opportunities for commissions. • Join a growing community that's making travel planning more personal and trustworthy. No influencer status or massive following required. Just firsthand travel experiences, great recommendations, and a passion for helping others discover amazing places. Ready to turn your travel knowledge into something rewarding? Become a founding Trippie at https://triprecos.com 🦩
End of classified.

Classified #3. ICRT global Summit and Global Responsible Tourism Awards (2nd November)


• Company: ICRT Global
• Location: London.
• **FREE VIRTUAL EVENT:** Join us virtually at our annual London Summit and learn from thought-provoking world-class experts in creating economic benefit and addressing overtourism. Be inspired by the innovative work of the global changemakers recognised in the 2026 Global Responsible Tourism Awards. **ICRT global Summit & Global Responsible Tourism Awards** **Monday 2 November 2026, 14:00–17:15 UK time** **Register: https://learning.icrt.global/products/live_events/icrt-global-summit** Join us for the annual ICRT global Summit, followed by the Global Responsible Tourism Awards. Share ideas, make connections and celebrate the people who are helping to shape the future of tourism. Be inspired by the winners of the Global Responsible Tourism Awards and discover the people and organisations already making change happen around the world. Join virtualy or if you're in London on 2 November and interested in joining us please write to me Debbie@icrt.global
End of classified.

Classified #4. Looking for Android testers for Deline, a group trip app


• Company: Deline
• Location: Remote.
• We're looking for Android testers. 😊 This summer a few friends and I did Interrail through six countries. A few days in, the group chat is usually full of screenshots, booking codes and "wait, who paid for the lunch?". But we built an app to fix it before the trip - and got hooked. It's called Deline, and it's been on the App Store now since August. It does two main things (and more): - The whole trip on one timeline. Flights, trains, hotels, dinners and plans, each on its own colored line, and everyone in the group sees the same thing on their phone. Screenshot a booking or forward the confirmation email and it lands in the right spot. - Splitting costs. Add what you paid and pick who was in on it, or photograph the receipt and tap who ordered what. At the end it tells you who owes who. We've shipped a lot since launch. The newest thing is stats: a map every country you've been to (your own digital scratch map) and a bunch of fun numbers from your travels. Now it's Android's turn. We're running a testing period and want real people using it, whether you have a trip coming up or just want to poke around. ➡️ If you're on Android and want in, sign up with your email at out website and we'll send you a link. If you're on iPhone, it's already free on the App Store. And if you know someone on Android who's always the one planning the group trip, send this to them. It helps us a lot.
End of classified.

Classified #5. British Tourist Authority Board Member


• Company: VisitBritain
• Location: United Kingdom.
End of classified.

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