Lighthouse notches $370m in Series C funding round

Reading Time: 2 minutesUK / Belgium: Lighthouse, a commercial intelligence platform for the travel and hospitality industry, has announced that it has closed a $370 million growth investment [Series C funding] round.
Journey to launch curated loyalty programme for STRs and hotels

Reading Time: 4 minutesUSA: Curated travel rewards platform Journey has launched to redefine loyalty in the travel sector, as it plans to launch a points-based loyalty programme in spring 2025.
District Show 2024: Olala Homes CEO Ittai Savran

Reading Time: < 1 minuteSpain: Olala Homes CEO Ittai Savran speaks to STRz at the District Show in Barcelona about his company’s unique business model, the latest guest booking trends, and how Olala Homes is navigating the regulatory landscape.
Review: Urban Living Festival takes hospitality insights to next level

Reading Time: 4 minutesUK: The 2024 Urban Living Festival offered a comprehensive overview of the current trends and challenges shaping the hospitality and real estate sectors.
STRz spotlight: Alertify co-founder Gareth Rhodes Q&A

Reading Time: 5 minutesUS / South Africa: Gareth Rhodes, co-founder of Alertify, speaks to STRz about the company’s new WelcomeLink product, streamlining compliance with state regulations, and his reaction to Airbnb’s pledges to verify more listings worldwide and its global ban on the use of indoor security cameras at its listings.
Valpas raises €4m in seed funding for bedbug solution

Reading Time: 2 minutesFinland: Helsinki-based pest control startup Valpas has announced that it recently raised €4 million in a seed funding round to scale its solution in Europe.
Directo emerges from stealth with $1m pre-seed funding

Reading Time: 2 minutesSpain: Directo, a Chrome extension that helps travellers find the best commission-free accommodation deals for short-term rentals and hotels, has emerged from stealth mode and announced a $1 million pre-seed round fundraise.
Otamiser secures $3m in funding to drive global expansion

Reading Time: 3 minutesBelgium: Otamiser, which claims to be the world’s first online travel agency [OTA] ranking management platform, has raised $3 million USD [€2.8 million / £2.36 million] in its first funding round.
Abode Worldwide makes three key hires

Reading Time: 2 minutesUK: Abode Worldwide, a specialist public relations agency in the hospitality and living sectors, has announced three key hires as it seeks to execute its ambitious growth plan.
Joivy grows UK team to support expansion plans

Reading Time: 2 minutesUK: Joivy, described as “Europe’s first platform to combine residential solutions with services for property owners and investors, has announced that William Parry has become its general manager for UK and Ireland with immediate effect.