Research from the TravelTech Show shows that there are shifts in the acceptance of bookings by travel operators and payment tools | News

Investments in mobile apps and the integration of travel booking and payment platforms have slowed over the past year as operators increasingly turn to AI to drive customer engagement and spending. Mobile apps are now integrated by just seven percent of operators, down from almost a third – 30 percent – ​​in 2025.
While many travel providers have mobile apps, it appears that AI will shift the industry’s focus to driving Agentic AI bookings and building AI-native platforms. Research from the TravelTech Show’s annual survey of tour operators and buyers also shows that AI investment is growing by 12 percent across the industry. 64 percent of travel operators plan to increase AI investment in the next 12 months – up from 52 percent in 2025 – in the hope that this will improve the customer experience, increase loyalty and booking conversions, and reduce costs.
Furthermore, the number of payment options and integration of virtual credit cards have also increased as customer demand for more choice and flexibility also increases.
When asked which booking and payment tools they have integrated into their platform, the answers from the past two years are as follows:

Transaction costs are the biggest challenge
The research also highlighted some of the challenges faced by operators on booking and payment platforms. In particular:
High transaction costs – 21%
Integrity complexity – 17%
User experience limitations – 9%

AI set for promotion from booking assistant to booking manager
Despite these challenges, a quarter plan to invest in booking and reservation systems to improve the booking process in the coming year. Nearly half – 43 percent – ​​currently use AI technology as a booking assistant. When asked where they want AI to have the biggest impact on their business over the next one to two years, almost a fifth (18 percent) said booking conversion rates.
Commenting on the results, TravelTech Show Sales Manager Thauan (Ty) Albuquerque said: “As AI and GEO search continue to impact customer browsing and booking travel, it will be interesting to see how this also impacts the future landscape of apps and mobile booking integration in the travel industry. Operators must find the balance between more unified systems and rapidly evolving customer behavior. Proving how and where they add value to the customer booking journey will be essential if apps keep pace. want to keep up with advancing AI solutions.”
James Lemon, Stripe Global Industry Lead – Hospitality, Travel & Leisure and speaker at this year’s TravelTech Show, added: “2026 has seen an explosion of innovation in the travel ecosystem, fueled by financial services, payment technology and AI. Travelers are changing the way they discover, search, book and pay for travel, and the industry is preparing for agentic commerce to take place through new AI channels.
“Behind the scenes, it’s an equally exciting time for payouts. Virtual cards are becoming increasingly sophisticated and programmable, while innovative treasury tools and stablecoins provide companies with new ways to manage money digitally. The coming years will complement these virtual cards in meaningful ways that are better for travelers, better for intermediaries and better for suppliers. The most innovative travel companies are quickly understanding and adopting these software-first approaches to payments and money management.”
This year’s TravelTech Show conference program includes several sessions focused on booking and payment solutions and strategies:
From browsers to bookers: how travel brands turn intent into conversions
The payment revolution in the travel world
Tech huddle: Transform your end-to-end booking experience with seamless payments

TravelTech Show is Europe’s only travel technology marketplace, built for business. It will take place from 24 to 25 June 2026 at Excel London. Registration is now open and free for travel technology specialists involved in or responsible for technology within their travel industry and consultants who help travel companies select technology solutions.
For more information, please visit: traveltech-show.com
In April 2026, 103 representatives of travel companies participated in the survey.