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Hospitality Business Review: Specials Magazine
Corporate travel often feels routine; a checklist of familiar sights. But what if it could be more? What if it could create moments so extraordinary they linger in your memory forever?” These questions fuelled Alberto Neri, a seasoned travel industry visionary with over 30 years of experience, to establish Italia Connection—an international destination management company (DMC) dedicated to reimagining corporate travel. Italia Connection dares to go beyond sightseeing, curating experiences that inspire and leave an indelible mark. For corporate executives and employees alike, these tailored tours are more than travel—they are an opportunity to connect, reflect and be captivated. Consider the instance of the Sistine Chapel—one of the world’s most revered cultural landmarks. A visit to this iconic site is a staple on any DMC’s itinerary for Vatican City. But with Italia Connection, you experience it very differently. The company arranges private access before the chapel opens to the public. Picture stepping into this sacred space in the stillness of early morning, where the only sound is the soft echo of your footsteps. Sometimes, Italia Connection can even arrange the extraordinary honour of allowing visitors to illuminate the chapel’s lights. As the soft glow fills the room, Michelangelo’s frescoes spring to life in vivid detail—a breathtaking display that transforms an ordinary visit into a profound encounter with history. Such is the essence of Italia Connection— transforming routine corporate travel into once-ina-lifetime experiences. Whether forging deeper team connections, offering executives fresh inspiration or recognising top performers with an unforgettable reward, Italia Connection ensures every journey is as meaningful as it is extraordinary.
What makes a journey truly unforgettable? It’s not about checking off famous landmarks. It’s the moments of cultural immersion, genuine connections, and discovering the essence of a destination. Travellers today seek authenticity and depth in their journeys as their expectations shift from routine sightseeing to curated, meaningful experiences. J-Navigator expands horizons for travellers by bridging their expectations with the authentic cultures of off-beat travel spots. As a trusted destination management company, it partners with over 40 major European tour operators, including TUI and DER Touristik, facilitating unforgettable journeys to Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. Rather than serving travellers directly, J-Navigator designs tours that meet the needs of its tour operator partners, supporting them in catering to their clients, who range from small luxury groups to fully independent travellers. Offering comprehensive, full-service support, it handles every detail—from expert guides and site visits to booking flights, transportation, hotels and restaurants. It also curates meetings, conferences and exhibitions for the operator’s large corporate clients. Currently focused on travellers from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg and France, the company plans to expand into the U.S. and broader English-speaking markets. Infusing tours with local expertise and exclusive East and Southeast Asian cultural experiences, it delivers more than just a trip—it creates memories that last a lifetime.
Top Travel Assistance and Insurance Services in Europe 2025
A non-self-service model with digitalization solutions in an industry excited with automation. It’s all in a day’s work: I lost my luggage at Heathrow. My moped crashed in Thailand. Which clinic do I go to in Madrid? Our expats in Mali need a medical emergency response plan. How quickly can I get reimbursed? Euro-Center’s 11 medical assistance hubs assist travellers and expatriates 24/7 in all countries globally. The services span emergency medical assistance, expatriate solutions, MERPs, claims processing, cost containment, occupational health services and security solutions across the globe. The customers are diverse: insurance clients, emergency medical assistance companies and corporate clients whose clients span charter tourists, backpackers, ministries of foreign affairs and expats working in the most common travel destinations, but also the world’s most dangerous hotspots. For the sake of cost efficiency, convenience and streamlining, many competitors attempt to optimize their operations into one business model and customer journey. But does that work? The answer is a definite NO: At least not if you want to stay relevant for all your clients. Euro-Center’s clients will always have both options to choose between. “Having participated in multiple conferences with travel and expatriate insurers, I experience the current focus on automatisation and digital solutions. Desirable and understandable in times when exciting AI and other technical solutions enable a fast and convenient customer experience. As a result, we have invested heavily in our in-house IT department, smart technology and automation solutions, and have a significant focus on optimizing claims processes and client self-servicing solutions,” says Mads Fischer, managing director.
CXO INSIGHTS
Navigating Digital Transformation in Modern Tourism
Ester Abad, Cargo Head of Digital Change Management & PMO, Strategy & Digital Transformation, Meliá Hotels International
Enhancing the Guest Experience Through Data Quality and Data Management
Christian Pauwels, Director Global Data, Radisson Hotel Group
Driving Travel Transformation
Nicola Ping, Global Manager, Travel Distribution, Flight Centre Travel Group
Challenges in Online Training for the Hospitality Industry
John Hollywood MIH, Head of Learning & Development, Iconic Luxury Hotels
Cultivating Excellence: A Journey In Talent Management
Hannah Plumb, Talent and Culture Director, The Alchemist Bar & Restaurant
The Weak Link of the Chain
Nicola Finamore, IT Manager, Six Senses Hotels Resorts and Spas—part of IHG Hotel Groups
The Financial Value Of The Purchasing Department
Jesús Díaz Barrientos, Head of Finance, DO & CO AG
IN FOCUS
How Travel Assistance Is Redefining Hotels in Europe
As the hospitality industry continues to grow, travel assistance is set to play a pivotal role in redefining the European travel experience. By investing in innovative and sustainable solutions, hotels can ensure they remain at the forefront of this transformative movement.
The Digital Revolution in European Destination Marketing
European destinations can attract tourists and create memorable travel experiences by embracing digital innovation and focusing on authentic experiences.
EDITORIAL
The Evolution of European Travel
The European travel industry is thriving, fueled by innovation, digital advancements and a growing demand for personalised, sustainable experiences. Destination management companies (DMC) and travel assistance services firms play a crucial role in ensuring smooth, safe and enriching journeys. With a strong focus on eco-conscious tourism, AI-driven solutions and flexible travel protection, leading companies in these sectors are transforming the way people explore the world. DMCs are at the heart of international travel, offering curated experiences, logistical expertise and exclusive local access. With sustainability becoming a priority, top European DMCs are adopting eco-friendly travel programs, digital concierge services and AI powered itinerary planning to meet evolving traveller expectations. The growing interest in slow travel, cultural immersion and off-the beaten-path experiences is a greater focus on regenerative tourism and authentic local engagement. As travel becomes more complex, real-time assistance services are evolving to provide instant emergency support, multilingual AI chatbots and predictive risk alerts. These advancements enhance traveller safety and convenience, ensuring help is always within reach. Travel insurance providers are responding to new challenges with customisable coverage, digital claims processing and blockchain secured transactions. The demand for pandemic protection, adventure travel insurance and climate-related coverage is spurring new developments in travel security, allowing travellers to explore with greater confidence. This edition of Hospitality Business Review Europe features perspectives from industry leaders shaping the future of travel services. Kevin Vassout, Executive Director of Strategy, Sustainability, Transformation and New Countries - Procurement Europe North Africa at Accor, discusses how technology and sustainability are transforming the industry. Similarly, John Hollywood MIH, Head of Learning & Development at Iconic Luxury Hotels, highlights the growing importance of adaptive learning and digital solutions in travel service management, ensuring that industry professionals remain equipped to deliver seamless customer experiences. Explore our curated list of the Top Destination Management Companies in Europe, setting new benchmarks in tailored travel experiences, local expertise and sustainable tourism. In addition to this, we are also featuring the top travel assistance and insurance services company, which ensures secure, seamless and reliable support for businesses and travellers alike. Industry leaders continue to drive innovation, moulding the next era of travel with cutting-edge solutions and strategic partnerships.
