Groupr will makes its full launch in early 2027. (Source: Adobe Stock/M-Production)
WHY IT RATES: InteleTravel is filling a gap in the corporate and group markets with the acquisition of the AI startup 40 Hammock, which will be relaunched as Groupr. Among other things, it will enable InteleTravel’s 145,00 advisors to plug into existing leisure and business travel platforms. The platform’s technology is currently operating, with an official launch scheduled for early 2027. — Claudette Covey, Executive Retail Editor
InteleTravel, through its parent, INTRAVEL, today announced the acquisition of 40Hammocks, one of the few group travel automation solutions.
40Hammocks helps groups of 10 or more rooms secure pre-negotiated rates at hotels, manage custom booking links, track room blocks, secure event space and deliver guest perks, primarily serving destination weddings and group events. INTRAVEL will develop and relaunch the innovative AI-driven technology as Groupr, extending its capabilities into more automated sourcing, contracting and guest management for the smaller-group market.
Large corporate groups have long relied on platforms with licensing costs that price out the smaller-group market. Meeting planners, wedding planners and travel advisors in this segment still manage sourcing, proposals, negotiations, contracts and follow-up by phone and email, a manual process that limits how many groups they can manage. Groupr will automate those workflows end to end.
“Our acquisition strategy has been focused on new markets and powerful new AI solutions like businesstravel.com and now 40Hammocks,” said James Ferrara, Chairman of the Board of Groupr and Managing Partner of INTRAVEL. “Enterprise platforms have ignored the smaller-group market for years. We saw technology that could solve that, a team that understood the problem, and an opportunity to serve an entire segment of the market that’s been underserved, including InteleTravel advisors, and advisors and planners everywhere.”
Groupr is being developed for two audiences simultaneously, the open B2B marketplace of MICE planners, wedding planners and travel advisors, and the 145,000 advisors within the InteleTravel network, where it will be deeply integrated into existing leisure and business travel platforms. The dual approach means Groupr reaches the planners who need it most while also strengthening what InteleTravel offers its advisors.
“Groupr automates what planners have been doing by hand for decades including sourcing, proposals, contracts, and follow-up,” said Kim Andreello, Managing Director of Groupr and Senior Vice President of Strategy and Corporate Development at InteleTravel. “This means planners can manage more groups, serve their clients better, and build a stronger business off the same effort.”
The 40 Hammocks team has transitioned to Groupr, including co-founders Mina Singson-Brightman and Sebastian Borys who will remain with the company as Board Members and Partners.
Currently, the 40Hammocks technology is operational and being used by advisors and planners for core group travel workflows. INTRAVEL is actively developing it into Groupr ahead of a full-featured relaunch planned for early 2027. Enhancements, like automated sourcing for restaurant private event space, continue through the end of the year.
SOURCE: InteleTravel Press Release
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