Hubby’s success with eSim sales
Hubby – the worldwide mobile internet solution for travel sellers and travel providers to keep customers connected in-destination has, until now, been funded by friends and family to the tune of €450,000.
That’s about to change. The company is in advanced discussions with investors for a seed fundraising in the €2m to €3m range.
Hubby’s B2B2C tech solution enhances customer service and creates cross-selling opportunities for travel sellers and providers by offering worldwide internet as a value-add for their end customers whilst in-destination – all at a small price point through the use of affordable eSIMs.
As the second full year of trading enters the fourth quarter, Hubby has delivered more than 175,000 eSIMs through its B2B2C sales routes, including via travel agencies and tour operators.
Thijs van de Wijk, founder & CEO of Hubby, said, “At the outset we felt very strongly that selling eSIMs as an ancillary on commission to consumers was already on its way out and that the best way to distribute them was as a value-add through travel providers and partners – having such players instead use them as an enabler of value for their clients that opens the door to cross-selling and improved customer experiences.
“What other product could you offer your customer for just a few euros that adds so much to their experience and directly benefits you?
Lufthansa is top of the apps
The Lufthansa Group has been awarded the prize for the world’s best airline app 2024 at the World Aviation Festival.
An expert jury compared the four nominees in a competition, the “Battle of the Airline Apps”, and rated the Lufthansa Group app as the best among the biggest players in the industry.
The Lufthansa product came out on top against the apps from Emirates, Qatar Airways and Air India.
Oliver Schmitt, Lufthansa head of digital customer solutions, said, “The digital travel experience of our guests is increasingly determined by their mobile devices. The app is playing a growing role as a travel companion.
“In recent years, we have worked specifically on service offerings, especially in the event of irregularities, on simplifications and better information for our guests, and created numerous benefits for frequent flyers.”
Indigo streams with Spotify
India’s IndiGo airline and audio streaming platform, Spotify have partnered to launch 6E Shuffle, a first-of-its-kind experience that generates exclusive travel playlists for users based on their journeys and preferences.
As a value add, IndiGo and Spotify are also offering customers who book directly and travel with IndiGo, four months of complimentary Spotify Premium subscription.
Listeners will enjoy personalised playlists based on their travel destinations, mood, and genre preference, and by leveraging Spotify’s technology, travellers will receive curated destination suggestions for their next travel, tailored to their music tastes and preferences.
Separately, IndiGo’s IndiGo Ventures corporate venture capital fund has received the Alternative Investment Fund approval from Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), marking a significant milestone in its journey to drive innovation.
The fund will invest in startups that have the potential to redefine the future of aviation and beyond, seeking pre–Series A, Series A and Series B funding.
These include startups working on cutting-edge technologies and solutions within the aviation sector. The fund will also look to invest in consumer startups that have a touchpoint in the passenger journey, such as travel, lifestyle, hospitality, transportation, etc.
Wendy Wu on a journey with TProfile
Asia specialist tour operator Wendy Wu’s new partnership with travel tech firm TProfile is expected to transform how travel agents access and showcase specialist tours.
It will empower agents with high-quality content, including visuals and videos, to inspire prospective customers.
By integrating Wendy Wu Tours’ fully inclusive touring content into TProfile’s advanced customer experience platform, travel agents now have access to a portfolio of journeys across 44 countries.
Gary King, head of trade sales at Wendy Wu Tours, said, “This partnership is a gamechanger for travel agents. By joining forces with TProfile, we are enabling our agent partners to provide an even greater scope of itineraries and travel options.
“They can create and send out a whole range of complex tours, cruise, multi-centre, and single-centre quotes in less than two minutes.”
