Felix Shpilman in Travel Weekly: Why the Travel Industry Is Getting AI Wrong — and the Smarter Way Forward

Felix Shpilman in Travel Weekly: Why the Travel Industry Is Getting AI Wrong — and the Smarter Way Forward

The travel industry has long been plagued by frustrating inefficiencies — endless queues, manual paperwork, and the nightmare of amending bookings. Felix Shpilman, CEO of Emerging Travel Group, a travel company that operates brands RateHawk, Roundtrip, and ZenHotels, highlights in a recent interview with Travel Weekly why these pain points persist and shares a tech-forward vision for how AI could be the missing link to real transformation.

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Contents

The connectivity challenge holding travel back

Despite billions invested in travel technology, basic processes like changing booking details remain complicated. Felix points out a surprising fact: out of over 330 accommodation suppliers connected via Emerging Travel Group, very few support amendments — such as name or date changes — through automated APIs. 

Instead, travelers and travel managers face costly, time-consuming phone calls and emails. At worst, non-refundable bookings mean losing money or risking a sold-out hotel.

This isn’t just bad luck — it’s rooted in decades-old inventory systems that weren’t designed to accommodate the flexibility modern travelers need. Large players have little incentive to overhaul these legacy platforms, leaving many stuck.

Enter AI: The intelligent middleware we’ve been waiting for

But all hope is not lost. Felix offers a fresh perspective: AI agents can act as smart middleware, connecting these fragmented systems without having to rebuild them from scratch. These AI solutions can handle the complexity of amendments — understanding intent, matching room types, and navigating across multiple platforms — all at scale and speed.

Think of it as giving legacy technology a much-needed upgrade to work better, while enabling travel businesses to deliver the seamless experiences customers expect.

A call to action for travel innovators

Felix’s message is clear: companies with the scale and resources to lead should invest in AI-driven solutions now. The opportunities extend far beyond booking amendments — dozens of industry inefficiencies can be quietly resolved by AI. Early adoption will not only improve internal workflows but also uplift the entire travel ecosystem.

Looking ahead with optimism

At RateHawk, we echo this strong belief in technology’s power to simplify travel. We’re excited about the transformative potential of AI to tackle longstanding challenges and empower travel businesses worldwide. Together, with innovative AI agents, we can build a more connected, agile, and customer-friendly travel industry.


Ready to explore how AI can revolutionize your travel business? Stay tuned for more insights and innovations from RateHawk and Emerging Travel Group.

Read the full interview

 



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