216
4 minutes readContents
- When the industry counted travel agents out
- RateHawk’s mission: innovation to empower travel agents
- Collaboration at ConX: Innovation runs on partnerships
- A shared vision for the future
About ConX
ConX is no ordinary event. Carefully curated and invitation-only, this annual conference brings together over 800 senior decision-makers from some of the most impactful and innovative companies in the travel distribution sector. It’s a forum where partnerships are forged, ideas are challenged, and the groundwork for the next big leaps in travel is laid.
When the industry counted travel agents out
RateHawk’s journey in B2B travel began when heavy skepticism surrounded travel agents’ future. Across the industry, the prevailing sentiment was stark: travel agents were becoming obsolete. The tools at their disposal — often described as the “blue screen of death” — were labeled as “good enough” because, as many believed, agents wouldn’t be around in ten years anyway.
Felix Shpilman, President and CEO of Emerging Travel Group
Shpilman and his team saw things differently. “We thought this was wrong,” Shpilman declared during his address at ConX 2025. “We thought the world would continue using travel professionals to help them book travel.”
And they were right. Even in the face of unprecedented disruption, like the travel standstill during COVID-19, agents demonstrated stunning resilience. Many pivoted, adapting to booking trips remotely and providing invaluable service at a time when travel seemed impossible.
“Travel professionals and travel agents turned out to be much more resilient than everybody thought,” Shpilman reflected. Today, not only are agents still standing, they’re thriving, with both the number of travel professionals and the volume of bookings they manage growing steadily on a global scale.
RateHawk’s mission: innovation to empower travel agents
“Building easy-to-use, functional, and empowering products for travel professionals all over the world is what we started doing years ago. But we have stepped on the gas in the last couple of years, and our commitment to building innovative products and supercharging travel agents is stronger than ever,” Shpilman shared.
Here’s how RateHawk is leading the charge:
- Unparalleled supplier connectivity. With 325 supplier connections spanning wholesalers, consolidators, DMCs, and global and regional chains, ETG ensures agents can access highly optimized inventory tailored to meet diverse client needs.
“Anything and everything that’s APIable, we will find, integrate, match up, optimize, and make work very well for our clients to book,” said Shpilman. - Intuitive tools for seamless operations. It’s not just about supply — travel professionals need modern, efficient tools to make their work easier. ETG was a pioneer in offering a mobile app designed specifically for travel professionals, enabling them to manage bookings anytime, anywhere. “We were one of the first players in the world — if not the first — to have a mobile app for the travel professional to be able to step away from their desk and do their work on the go,” Shpilman revealed. This approach helps agents operate with flexibility and efficiency, empowering them in their day-to-day roles.
- AI-driven efficiency, with the human touch. Service speed is paramount in today’s fast-paced travel industry, and RateHawk leverages AI strategically to enhance — not replace — human expertise. “We think having real-time service that is AI-assisted — not AI replacing humans, but AI helping humans do service faster — is our strategic priority,” Shpilman explained. This focus ensures agents can maintain a personalized approach while delivering faster and more reliable solutions for their clients.
Collaboration at ConX: Innovation runs on partnerships
ConX isn’t just a gathering; it’s a launchpad for innovation in B2B travel tech. With over 800 leading minds in attendance, the event offers an unparalleled opportunity for collaboration across industries.
Set in Palma — the birthplace of B2B travel, ConX provides a space for leaders to challenge industry norms, learn from one another, and form partnerships that drive the sector forward.
“I truly believe that it’s the best collection of minds in B2B travel tech,” Shpilman said. “Coming together makes us all stronger as a sector, enabling us to push innovation forward on behalf of our clients and the global travel market.”
A shared vision for the future
As the B2B travel industry evolves, RateHawk is laser-focused on empowering travel professionals and helping them thrive in an increasingly dynamic market. “We will continue taking our supply strength and building functional and easy-to-use products on top of that,” Shpilman promised.
Travel agents have demonstrated unparalleled resilience and adaptability, and RateHawk is firmly committed to standing beside them with tools, technology, and support to meet the future head-on.
“Together, as a sector, we can push the innovation forward — on behalf of our clients and the global travel market,” Shpilman concluded.
Watch the full interview here:
Ready to see how RateHawk is revolutionizing travel for B2B professionals? Register today if you are a travel professional and are still not our partner — let’s change the industry together.
