VantisCorp has launched a white-label corporate travel platform designed for Travel Management Companies still relying on spreadsheets and manual processes. The system consolidates hotel and flight bookings with TMC-specific markups, policy checks, multi-entity compliance workflows, and back-office automation including tax-compliant invoicing and payment integration.
VantisCorp Targets Manual TMC Operations
CEO Amol Raut emphasized that the platform focuses on reducing operational costs where they typically accumulate, rather than on booking search technology. VantisCorp already has contracted clients live in India, the UK, and Saudi Arabia, with demos available at vantiscorp.com.
The platform aims to help TMCs retain client relationships while VantisCorp operates behind the scenes, offering a unified branded system for hotel and flight booking, approvals, compliance, and client servicing tools.
Laters.com Secures $1.5M Seed Round
Singapore-based Laters.com, formerly Fly Fairly, announced a $1.5 million seed round led by XBO Ventures, the investment arm of digital-asset platform XBO.com. The rebrand from flyfairly.com coincides with the funding announcement.
Founded by Alex Yardley in August 2024, the payments-first online travel agency offers over 100 payment methods across 650+ airlines, including buy-now-pay-later plans, digital wallets, and 70+ cryptocurrencies. Since February 2025, it has been profitable monthly and serves over a million travelers annually, with the US as its largest market.
Customers using cryptocurrency for bookings typically spend more than double the average amount, particularly on international and premium-cabin flights. The company also offers two free resources: a guide comparing pay-later options by country and a transparent ‘Payment Score’ system that doesn’t charge for placement. The new capital will be used to strengthen the brand, expand core operations, and develop additional services beyond travel.
Booking Loses Etraveli Acquisition Appeal
The European Union’s General Court has dismissed Booking Holdings’ challenge against the European Commission’s decision to block its planned €1.6 billion takeover of Etraveli Group. The ruling confirms the Commission’s assessment that the merger would have solidified Booking’s already dominant market position, making it harder for competitors to enter or grow.
The dispute originated when Booking first revealed its intention to acquire Etraveli in late 2021, prompting an EU investigation that ultimately led to the deal’s prohibition. Booking contested the decision, with CEO Glenn Fogel previously expressing concerns that EU oversight—including its classification of Booking as a digital gatekeeper—could hinder technological progress.
The court dismissed Booking’s claim that regulators had strayed from established legal principles, instead validating the Commission’s right to address evolving competitive threats in digital markets. While Booking maintains it is unsatisfied with the decision, it is now evaluating whether to pursue further legal action before the European Court of Justice.
Spotnana Integrates Directly with Marriott
Spotnana has introduced a seamless connection to Marriott International’s central reservation database. This integration allows corporate travel managers to access live pricing, availability, and full property details for all 10,000 Marriott locations worldwide.
The collaboration introduces the travel industry’s first verified loyalty synchronization with Marriott Bonvoy, ensuring recognition of member status, credit card benefits, and accumulated points. Additional features include self-service options for modifying or canceling reservations, simplified tools for travel agents, access to negotiated corporate rates, and real-time updates on room features that match Marriott’s official channels. The system activates immediately through Spotnana Cloud.
Tencent Cloud Powers MENAP Travel Platform
Tencent Cloud has formed a strategic partnership with Bookme, a Pakistan-based travel and digital ticketing service reaching over 15 million users. The platform is the fastest-growing operator in the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan (MENAP) region, with operations spanning six countries, including Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
Under the agreement, Tencent Cloud will provide scalable cloud infrastructure and technical support to enhance Bookme’s consumer platforms and embedded booking tools, accessible via API across more than 40 partner platforms. The service covers inventory from over 500 airlines, a million hotels, events, airport lounges, e-visas, tours, and attractions, alongside a network of fintech and banking partners integrated as a super-app.
Tencent’s infrastructure, monitoring, security, and support capabilities help handle demand spikes during peak travel periods and promotions. Tencent Cloud’s Rachel Xie and Bookme founder and CEO Faizan Aslam both framed the deal as enabling continued international scaling and enhanced customer experience.
F1 Races Drive Southeast Asia Travel Surge
New Amadeus Travel Intelligence data shows increased international air arrivals and cross-border travel linked to back-to-back Formula 1 races in Malaysia and Singapore. Malaysia’s Grand Prix ran from October 2-4, followed by Singapore’s from October 9-11.
Kuala Lumpur-to-Singapore arrivals rose 74% year-on-year between the events. Malaysia’s top source markets include Australia, India, the UK, Taiwan, and South Korea, with the UK showing the fastest growth at 49%. Singapore saw arrivals increase 88% from the US, 73% from the UK, 54% from New Zealand, and 43% from Taiwan.
Trip patterns shifted notably, with shorter Kuala Lumpur stays (1-5 nights) up 17% and Singapore experiencing a 49% rise in medium-length stays (6-13 nights). Solo travelers increased 37% in Malaysia and 44% in Singapore, while couples grew 11% in Malaysia and 24% in Singapore.
Amadeus’s Bing Han Kee noted that the dual races allow fans to combine both events into a single Southeast Asian trip, creating opportunities for airlines, hotels, and hospitality businesses to develop multi-city itineraries and longer-stay experiences.