Capital remains available for travel technology businesses with a credible path to profitability, while the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) is prompting investors to reassess competitive advantages and the potential for consolidation.

These were among the key conclusions of the inaugural Travel Tech Capital Summit, held at Six Park Place in London on November 2, ahead of WTM London.

Jointly organised by Cambon Partners, Ennea Capital Partners, Oppenheimer & Co and VIDEC, the invitation-only event brought together more than 100 investors, founders and senior industry executives for eight sessions covering AI, hospitality technology, ground transport, leisure and corporate travel.

Discussions highlighted continued investor confidence in established consumer brands, businesses with access to unique inventory and companies operating proprietary distribution technology.

“What struck me was how much confidence investors still have in consumer brands that have earned travellers’ trust. People are already using AI to research a trip, but trusting it to make a booking on their behalf is a bigger step. We also heard a lot of interest in businesses that control unique inventory and have built their own technology to distribute it. From an investor’s perspective, that combination is attractive because it’s hard to replicate,” said Morgann Lesné, Partner and Head of Travel & Hospitality at Cambon Partners.

An Oxford-style debate examined whether AI agents or travel brands would own the traveller relationship by 2030, considering the implications for discovery, booking and consumer trust.

VIDEC identified three major trends shaping the sector: accelerating consolidation, increasingly selective investment and the continuing importance of intermediaries.

“As technology becomes more widely accessible, lasting competitive advantage will depend on how well businesses understand and solve their clients’ challenges. Trusted relationships and deep industry expertise remain essential, even as AI reshapes the travel technology landscape,” said Virendra Jain, Co-founder and CEO at VIDEC.

Although risk capital remains difficult to secure, businesses demonstrating a clear route to profitability continue to attract funding. This could also create opportunities for generalist private equity investors.

VIDEC also stressed that AI-driven changes to search and booking would not eliminate intermediaries, as sourcing inventory and fulfilling travel bookings remain complex processes.

Ennea Capital Partners highlighted the importance of delivering tangible improvements to travellers and strengthening the technology infrastructure underpinning the industry.

“AI is reshaping every corner of travel, but the traveller has barely felt it yet. Lasting winners will be the ones who make trips better or better value, not those riding the AI wave with tools anyone can copy in a year or two,” said Andreas Nau, Partner at Ennea Capital Partners.

Sessions on hospitality technology, ground transport and rail highlighted opportunities in connectivity, data, distribution and operational systems, particularly where fragmented services can be integrated into wider journeys.

Corporate travel discussions also emphasised the importance of infrastructure for policy management, control and duty of care.

Ennea further argued that intermediaries' value extends beyond search and booking to providing support when journeys are disrupted, reinforcing the importance of accountability throughout the travel experience. -TradeArabia News Service