IBS debuts tech company Naviq for travel industry

The AI-first firm will help global aviation, cruise, hospitality, logistics, and more

IBS Group today announced the launch of Naviq Technology, a new vertical AI company purpose-built for the global travel industry. 

The group's plan for the new independently operated company is it will partner with airlines, airports, cruise lines, vacation providers, and hospitality groups.

Its focus will be on areas where the travel industry will see the biggest investment in the coming years – AI adoption at scale, customer experience transformation, and data as the fabric for intelligent operations. 

Its delivery model will make implementations faster and reduce the time to value. 

For IBS Software clients, Naviq serves as the preferred implementation and transformation partner. 

"The global travel industry is at a turning point, with organisations seeking smarter ways to operate and future-proof their businesses," said V. K. Mathews, founder and executive chairman of IBS Group. 

"Naviq gives the market something it has not had before: a technology and consulting company that understands the complexities of global travel, anticipates industry challenges, and offers transformative solutions at scale using specialised AI tools. 

"Backed by IBS Software’s deep expertise in travel technology, Naviq will help travel achieve greater agility, efficiency and growth, and open new revenue streams."

"Naviq reflects a clear structural shift in how travel technology services are delivered, pairing deep industry expertise with an AI-first model built for speed and commercial impact," said Jason Wright, partner at Apax Partners, an investor in the venture. 

"As organisations move beyond experimentation, there is growing pressure to turn AI into tangible business results at scale. 

"Naviq is designed to meet that need, giving travel companies a more focused, flexible partner to drive growth and long-term performance." 

Naviq started operations from 9 July, with 16 offices across the globe already established and the firm envisaging "rapid growth" from its 16 centres worldwide, with headcount growing to over 5,000 in the next five years. 

IBS Group has said it will invest "significantly" over the next five years to augment capabilities and grow the business.