News

Tumodo Secures $35 Million To Transform MENA Business Travel

The B2B travel platform combines data science, user-friendly design, and world-class service to bring businesses and employees the best travel experiences.

Published

1 year ago

January 18, 2024

Nour Nasir

tumodo secures $35 million to transform mena business travel

Tumodo, an innovative business travel platform founded in 2023, has announced the successful completion of a $35 million pre-seed funding round, co-led by prominent angel investors focused on the MENA region.

The substantial injection of capital will serve as a catalyst for Tumodo’s expansion in the UAE market, continued product development, and the exploration of new partnership prospects. Additionally, the company has ambitious plans to extend its reach across 25 countries worldwide by 2026.

Tumodo offers businesses a streamlined solution to book flights and accommodation for hundreds of employees in under two minutes. Notably, the platform provides complete transparency, free from hidden fees, allowing businesses to manage expenses with greater precision. The company is also working on an AI feature to simplify trip planning, offering seamless integration with corporate HR systems.

Stan Klyuy, Tumodo’s Chief Commercial Officer, explained, “[Tumodo’s] mission is to contribute to the MENA business travel market, ensuring not only its rapid recovery but also positioning it as a leader in technological innovation. We facilitate the establishment of efficient business processes, optimize travel expense management, and bolster employee productivity while ensuring compliance with travel policies. On average, our clients achieve a remarkable 35% reduction in their business travel expenses”.

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Tumodo has already gained the trust of over 100 businesses in the MENA region, boasting connectivity to major distribution channels, global hotel chains, and collaborations with over 400 airlines. In addition, Tumodo’s support specialists are available to assist in trip organization, helping to meet travel objectives while maximizing return on investment.

According to the World Travel & Tourism Council, even during the pandemic, business travel expenditures surpassed leisure travel spending. During 2021-2022, the growth rate of the business travel market exceeded that of leisure travel by 1-10% in many regions, reaching nearly 15% in the Middle East market.

News

Will Upcoming Changes Turn Instagram Into A TikTok Clone?

Updates are rolling out for the grid layout and Reels length, while new editing tools clearly imitate those of the rival Chinese platform.

Published

1 day ago

January 24, 2025

Nour Nasir

Instagram

Instagram recently faced backlash for swapping its iconic square grid for rectangles, disrupting the aesthetic of thousands of carefully curated profiles. However, the Meta-owned platform isn’t stopping there, after announcing more incoming TikTok-like changes designed to give users greater control over their profiles.

“We launched a new tall grid on profiles this week and I got a lot of feedback, both positive and quite negative,” Instagram head Adam Mosseri shared in an Instagram caption on Monday. “The goal is a simpler, cleaner place that maintains, and even increases, creator control”.

Here are some of the details about further changes we can expect:

Customizable Grids: Users will soon be able to tweak how their posts appear on the grid, including adjusting image crops and reordering posts entirely.
Direct-To-Grid Posts: A new option will allow users to post directly to their profile grid without automatically adding it to their main feed.
Highlights Relocation: Instagram’s Highlights feature will move from above the grid into a dedicated tab, while also becoming part of the profile grid itself.
Longer Reels: Reels are getting a significant upgrade, with the maximum video length jumping from 90 seconds to 3 minutes.

The updates are part of Instagram’s ongoing effort to compete with TikTok, which narrowly avoided a US ban following a 75-day delay granted by President Donald Trump. With the Chinese video platform’s future remaining uncertain, Instagram seems eager to capture disillusioned users by offering features that feel increasingly similar to those of its rival.

Also Read: How To Find & Cancel Pending Instagram Requests

In fact, Instagram’s recent changes go beyond just the app’s layout: On Sunday, parent company Meta launched the standalone Edits app, a clear imitation of TikTok’s popular video-editing tool, CapCut. Additionally, Meta has been enticing creators with cash bonuses to encourage them to post their videos on Instagram and Facebook.

It’s clear Instagram is shifting its strategy to appeal to the short-form video crowd. Whether these changes will win over users or continue to spark discontent remains to be seen.