Protect Group aims to reach $10 billion USD in protected bookings | News
Protect Group, a leading provider of reservations and ticket protection solutions, today announced an ambitious goal to protect more than $10 billion USD in bookings across airlines, OTAs, event, sports and hospitality brands by the end of 2026. This represents a 25% increase compared to the previous period, when the company secured more than $8 billion USD in bookings.
This ambitious goal reflects the rising demand for flexible, integrated solutions that protect travelers from unexpected disruptions to their travel and leisure plans. Recent events, such as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, have underlined the fragility of the travel industry, forcing the reorganization of thousands of flights and hotel operations worldwide. In some cases, regional air traffic has fallen to 50% of normal levels, especially in major hubs such as Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi, according to Reuters.
Protect Group’s growth is fueled by strategic partnerships with key industry players including airlines, OTAs, ticket operators and hotels, combined with artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance customer experience and improve booking conversion.
Today, approximately 75% of refund requests are processed and paid the same day, streamlining operations and maintaining human support for cases that require personalized attention.
“The travel industry is evolving faster than ever, with both travelers and operators expecting flexibility,” said Jason Walsh, Chief Product & Marketing Officer at Protect Group. “Reservation and ticket protection are essential when disruptions occur. For example, the conflict in the Middle East has forced OTAs, travel agencies, airlines and event organizers to handle mass cancellations and sudden travel changes. Our integrated solutions enable customers to travel with confidence, while helping our partners increase conversion, retain customers and generate additional revenue without adding operational complexity.”
At the heart of Protect Group’s offering is Refund Protect, the company’s flagship product, which allows customers to upgrade their tickets for a full refund in unforeseen circumstances beyond their control. This is made possible by the AI-powered Pulse platform, which seamlessly integrates with existing systems to deliver scalable, personalized customer experiences.
Protect Plus is also gaining ground, a growing portfolio of support services including flight delay compensation, baggage delay compensation, carbon offsets, eSIM solutions and lounge access. These services are designed to meet the expectations of modern travelers while creating additional revenue opportunities for partners.
Innovation for offline agents and new revenue opportunities
To expand its reach, Protect Group recently launched the Agent Portal, which allows travel agents and advisors to provide reservation protection quickly and easily, without technical integration. This opens up new opportunities in sectors such as cruises and tours, where more than 80% of bookings are made through traditional travel agents, activating a previously underutilized channel.
Additionally, the integration with Aven Hospitality (formerly Saber Hospitality) enables rapid onboarding of hotel chains, accelerating expansion in the hospitality sector and enabling partners to sell reservation protection more efficiently.
