Travel tech startup Impala has announced a global partnership with travel giant Rakuten Travel Xchange as it expands into Asia.
Tapping its dominance in the Japanese market, Rakuten Travel will act as a room seller for Impala by integrating its API with their own tools so Rakuten members can book hotels through Impala.
Anna Tsujihata, Head of Hotel Contracting & Connectivity for Rakuten Travel Xchange said: “This new partnership with Impala opens the doors of many hotels – especially those in Europe – to new guests.”
Impala’s API platform gives room sellers access to the technology and inventory to build new, differentiated products.
The partnership allows Impala to leverage Rakuten’s member bases, and Rakuten Travel Xchange to build its inventory in European markets.
Impala’s inventory now surpasses 1.5 million bookable rooms.
Leigh Jenkinson, Impala VP of Demand: “We are excited by the partnership with Rakuten Travel Xchange, which has many synergies with Impala. Our Open Distribution approach is breaking down barriers to entry for the travel sector.”
