Spain Welcomes OneJourney’s SwiftPay: A Game-Changer for Hotel Supplier Payments and Boosting Tourism in 2026

In a groundbreaking move for the hospitality sector, OneJourney, a fintech company exclusively focused on the hospitality industry, has launched its SwiftPay platform in Spain. This marks a significant milestone for OneJourney, which is now expanding its operations in Europe. The live launch in Spain signals the beginning of a promising journey that could redefine how hotels handle their supplier payments and streamline financial operations.

SwiftPay’s Innovative Solution: Turning Payments into Revenue

The SwiftPay platform is tailored to hotels and restaurants, aiming to revolutionize the way they process supplier payments. Unlike traditional methods where payments are treated as simple expenses, SwiftPay allows businesses to generate new income streams from their existing supplier payments. This is achieved through a digital wallet and Hospitality Payment Card (HPC), making transactions faster, easier, and more profitable. SwiftPay helps unlock incremental net income, providing a unique solution that turns the conventional accounts payable process into a new revenue-generating avenue.

This seamless integration ensures that no major changes are needed to existing banking systems. With SwiftPay, hotels can pay their suppliers without disrupting their daily operations, offering a no-cost, hassle-free experience. Hotels can access the platform without committing to long-term contracts or setting up new banking relationships, making it a perfect solution for hospitality businesses looking to boost profitability with minimal effort.

First Customer in Europe: Muralto Madrid Princesa Sets the Tone

The first hotel to join SwiftPay’s European launch is the Muralto Madrid Princesa Serviced Apartments in Spain. The property has completed its initial supplier payments through the SwiftPay platform, experiencing positive results right from the start. The hotel management noted that SwiftPay allowed them to directly generate income from payments they were already making, which is a significant leap forward in revenue management.

SwiftPay provided full visibility into transactions and wallet balances, making it easier for the hotel to track its financial activity. The onboarding process was described as seamless, transparent, and easy to manage, demonstrating the platform’s user-friendly design. The OneJourney team was praised for their quick response times and excellent service delivery, ensuring the smooth integration of the system into hotel operations.

AI Automation Reduces Workload and Enhances Efficiency

Another standout feature of SwiftPay is its AI-powered reconciliation tools, which provide real-time visibility into payment flows and automate the invoice verification process. This tool significantly reduces the administrative workload for hotel accounts payable teams, allowing them to focus on more strategic tasks. By automating these processes, hotels can improve operational efficiency, making it easier to manage finances and reduce human error.

OneJourney’s Vision: A New Era for Supplier Spend

Brian Dass, CEO of OneJourney, emphasized the company’s vision for transforming the traditional supplier payment model. He believes that accounts payable, which has long been seen as a cost center for hotels, can be reimagined as a revenue-generating opportunity. With SwiftPay, hotels are no longer just paying suppliers; they are leveraging these payments to create a new source of financial yield. This structural shift in how hotels approach supplier spend could have a lasting impact on the hospitality industry, allowing businesses to stay competitive and profitable in an increasingly digital world.

The launch in Spain is only the beginning. OneJourney plans to expand its platform to more European properties throughout 2026, and the company is already seeing commercial traction. As more properties onboard SwiftPay, the platform’s influence will likely grow, providing hotels with new tools to generate income while simplifying payment management.

Tourism Impact: Boosting Spain’s Hospitality Sector

The launch of SwiftPay in Spain represents a significant milestone not just for OneJourney, but also for the Spanish hospitality sector. By empowering hotels and restaurants to boost their revenue streams through supplier payments, SwiftPay is expected to play a key role in strengthening the local tourism industry. As the country’s tourism continues to recover post-pandemic, new tools like SwiftPay provide the necessary financial flexibility for businesses to thrive in a highly competitive market.

The added efficiency and cost-effectiveness offered by SwiftPay also position Spain as a leader in financial innovation within the tourism industry. As the first country to benefit from the full capabilities of OneJourney’s SwiftPay, Spain is well-positioned to see long-term benefits from this platform. With its ability to generate new income streams, hotels in Spain will be better equipped to invest in services, upgrade facilities, and enhance guest experiences, all of which contribute to increased tourism.

SwiftPay’s European Expansion: More Hotels to Join the Revolution

OneJourney is poised for further expansion in Europe. With more European properties set to adopt the SwiftPay platform in 2026, the company is creating waves in the hospitality and fintech industries. Hotels throughout the continent can look forward to adopting this cutting-edge financial solution to streamline their payment processes and unlock new revenue opportunities. The global reach of SwiftPay could soon bring this innovative solution to hotels across the world, reshaping the way hospitality businesses handle their financial operations.

A Bright Future for Spain’s Tourism Industry

Spain’s early adoption of OneJourney’s SwiftPay is more than just a technological upgrade for hotels — it’s a game-changing tool that could revolutionize supplier payments and help boost tourism in the country. As Spain leads the way for OneJourney’s European expansion, it is setting an example for how financial innovation can enhance local tourism economies. Hotels and restaurants in Spain can now look forward to greater financial flexibility and new income streams, supporting their growth and tourism-driven success in 2026 and beyond.

The post Spain Welcomes OneJourney’s SwiftPay: A Game-Changer for Hotel Supplier Payments and Boosting Tourism in 2026 appeared first on Travel And Tour World.

UN Tourism Announces Global Call for Best Tourism Villages 2026: Spotlighting Rural Sustainability Across 100+ Countries – All You Need To Know

The UN Tourism (UNWTO) has launched its call for applications to find the Best Tourism Villages of 2026. This global initiative aims to highlight sustainable rural tourism destinations, showcasing villages that excel in preserving cultural heritage, empowering local communities, and supporting eco-friendly tourism practices. More than 100 countries are invited to nominate their most promising rural destinations.

The Best Tourism Villages programme serves as a strategic tool to promote the economic, social, and environmental well-being of rural communities, while providing a much-needed tourism boost to areas that remain under the global spotlight. Through this initiative, villages can leverage the recognition to enhance their tourism infrastructure, attract international visitors, and preserve their traditions.

Background of the Best Tourism Villages Programme

The initiative, launched in 2021, encourages villages worldwide to meet the highest standards in sustainable tourism. It focuses on communities that demonstrate a commitment to environmental stewardship, community-based tourism, and the preservation of cultural heritage.

Since its inception, the programme has garnered significant interest, receiving over 1,000 applications from more than 100 countries. Today, the programme boasts a network of 319 villages across 65 countries, with 230 villages earning the Best Tourism Village recognition and 83 villages in the Upgrade Programme, where they receive tailored support for development.

The Application Process for Best Tourism Villages 2026

The call is open to UN Tourism Member States, each of which can submit up to eight candidate villages. These nominations must be submitted through their National Tourism Administration (NTA) before the deadline of 9 June 2026. The final list of recognised villages will be revealed in the third quarter of 2026 during an official UN Tourism event.

This process aims to spotlight the most deserving rural communities, elevating them in the global tourism narrative. As global tourism recovers, this initiative provides an opportunity for remote destinations to shine, fostering a broader understanding of rural destinations’ tourism potential.

Evaluation Criteria: Assessing the Best of Rural Tourism

Applications are reviewed by an independent Advisory Board of global experts. Villages are assessed across several key criteria, including:

Sustainability

The village’s approach to environmental sustainability, low ecological impact, and long-term economic viability.

Governance and Community Involvement

The presence of strong local governance frameworks, and the active participation of community members in tourism-related decisions.

Heritage Preservation

The protection of local cultural traditions and natural landscapes, ensuring they remain part of the tourism experience.

Infrastructure and Well-being

The adequacy of the tourism infrastructure, including transportation, sanitation, and essential local services, which contribute to the well-being of both residents and visitors.

These criteria ensure that the recognised villages not only offer quality tourism experiences but also contribute to local empowerment and sustainability.

Three Core Components of the Best Tourism Villages Programme

The programme is divided into three key areas:

1) Recognition as Best Tourism Village

Villages excelling in all evaluation criteria are awarded the Best Tourism Village status, recognising them as models of sustainable rural tourism.

2) Upgrade Programme

Villages that do not meet the full criteria can participate in the Upgrade Programme. This allows them to receive the necessary support and technical guidance to improve and align with best practices.

3) Best Tourism Villages Network

All recognised villages and Upgrade Programme participants become part of a global network, fostering peer learning, partnerships, and knowledge sharing. This network encourages sustainable tourism development, both locally and globally.

Strategic Relevance: Why This Matters for Rural Tourism

UN Tourism sees the Best Tourism Villages programme as a critical tool for rural development and tourism promotion. By recognising these villages, the initiative not only enhances local economies but also encourages sustainable and responsible tourism practices. This aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in the areas of economic growth, community empowerment, and heritage preservation.

The programme’s impact is far-reaching. It not only helps boost local economies but also strengthens resilience in rural communities. Villages can gain visibility, attract tourists, and secure investment opportunities that otherwise would be difficult to access. Moreover, the focus on sustainability ensures that tourism development does not harm the environment but instead works in harmony with nature.

The Growth of the Best Tourism Villages Network

Since its debut in 2021, the Best Tourism Villages initiative has shown remarkable growth. With over 100 countries participating, the programme is creating a global network of sustainable tourism destinations. Currently, there are 319 villages from 65 countries involved, and the number is expected to grow as more regions discover the benefits of participating in the programme.

Impact on Tourism and Communities

For rural destinations, the Best Tourism Villages recognition brings immense opportunities. It elevates their profile, boosts tourism arrivals, and fosters local entrepreneurship. Visitors are increasingly drawn to destinations that offer authentic experiences, cultural immersion, and sustainable travel options.

Moreover, the programme plays a critical role in preserving the identity of rural communities. By fostering responsible tourism, it helps these villages balance development with the protection of their unique cultural heritage and natural landscapes. Through this recognition, rural destinations can attract conscious travellers, looking for meaningful, enriching travel experiences.

Why It Matters: A Bright Future for Rural Tourism

The Best Tourism Villages 2026 call is not just about awarding a title. It’s about empowering rural communities, preserving heritage, and creating opportunities for sustainable development. It’s about ensuring that tourism becomes a force for good, benefiting both travellers and the destinations they visit.

For rural villages across the world, the opportunity to be part of this prestigious programme can transform their future, boosting tourism, employment, and local pride. As these villages thrive, they continue to offer authentic, life-changing experiences for visitors, while contributing to the global tourism ecosystem.

The post UN Tourism Announces Global Call for Best Tourism Villages 2026: Spotlighting Rural Sustainability Across 100+ Countries – All You Need To Know appeared first on Travel And Tour World.