Travala, a pioneering travel booking company that operates within the crypto ecosystem, has revealed a new partnership with The Open Network that will enable Toncoin (TON) holders to use their tokens to book flights, accommodations, and travel experiences.
The platform already accepts payments in major cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin (BTC), XRP, Solana (SOL), and Ether (ETH), among others, totaling 127 different payment methods for booking travel. Upon unveiling this latest integration, Travala’s CEO, Juan Otero, expressed his excitement.
The travel industry is witnessing a transformation as it adapts to the digital era, with blockchain and digital assets presenting innovative solutions that enhance customer experiences and financial efficiencies.
For instance, in 2023, Sleap, an AI-powered travel booking platform, joined forces with the Camino network, a blockchain solution tailored for the airline industry. This collaboration aims to provide personalized travel arrangements to customers, offer exclusive deals directly through digital wallets, and establish a universal messaging standard for hotels, airlines, and local tour guides using Camino network’s infrastructure.
In a recent development, Japan Airlines introduced the Kyoko nonfungible token (NFT) project in February. The NFT collection grants holders access to unique Japanese travel experiences that are not typically available through mainstream travel agencies or tour companies.
One of the Kyoko NFTs enables holders to stay for two days and one night in a historical Samurai mansion with a family boasting a 400-year-old Samurai heritage. Another NFT offers the opportunity to collaborate with Japanese light artist Yasuhiro Chida at the Tanegashima Space Art Festival, with holders sharing in the profits generated from the collaborative artwork.
Similarly, projects like GroundSync are leveraging blockchain technology to streamline commercial jet refueling and maintenance processes, aiming to reduce costly airline delays and increase profit margins by minimizing communication redundancies and delays.
As the industry continues to evolve, the use of Bitcoin payments is also being explored as a means of revitalizing travel payment systems.