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6 minutes readLooking back, it’s not just the milestones that tell the story — it’s what they add up to: a comprehensive spectrum of travel services, one of the most extensive hotel supplies in the market, and a community of over 100,000 partner agencies worldwide. Through it all, the same product-driven DNA that guided us from day one. Here is how we got here.
About RateHawk
RateHawk (part of Emerging Travel Group), an online B2B platform for booking hotels, air tickets, and transfers, marks the 10th year of operations. Over the past decade, the service has grown into one of the largest, award-winning B2B travel tech companies with an AI-driven backbone. In its second decade, the company aims to leverage its consolidation power and expand as an API supplier for major travel players, while continuing to support travel professionals by launching new products that help grow their businesses.
RateHawk provides access to 3.2 million accommodation options sourced from over 250,000 directly contracted hotels and 350 global suppliers, along with flights from 400+ airlines, transfers in more than 150 countries, railway tickets and car rentals. In 2025, RateHawk’s annual net booking value increased by 40% compared to 2024, while the number of bookings saw a 43% growth on a global scale.
RateHawk launched with the kind of energy that comes from building something from scratch — every decision matters, every line of code has weight. From the start, we knew what we wanted to create: a B2B travel platform that would genuinely serve professionals, not just exist for them. The foundation was laid, and the journey began.
One year in, we were already expanding what “travel” meant on the platform. Car Rental became available on RateHawk in 2017 — because getting to a destination is only half the journey. Travel professionals needed the ability to support their clients beyond arrival, and we were determined to be there for the full trip.
2018 was a year of scale. We updated our Loyalty Program, deepening our commitment to the partners who trust us. And we didn’t stop there — RateHawk expanded into 20 new international markets, crossing the threshold of 100 markets worldwide.
This meant a travel professional in one part of the world could rely on us to serve their client in another. Global coverage was not a box to check — it was the point.
Two milestones defined 2019. First, RateHawk debuted at WTM London and ITB Berlin — two of the most important stages in the global travel industry. Being present at these events signaled our readiness to be seen, to compete, and to connect with partners at the highest level.
Second — and perhaps most impactful for our partners — flight tickets became available on the platform. Hotels, cars, and flights — the offering was becoming more complete.
WTM 2019 was a new and exciting experience for us, but…
…we absolutely rocked WTM 2026! Read on below to learn more about our rebranding.
2020 marked a major step forward in how professionals access the platform. The RateHawk mobile app launched that year — putting the full power of RateHawk in partners’ hands. Booking on the go, managing trips remotely, and staying on top of client needs from anywhere — the app made it all possible. It became another tool to help partners work smarter, wherever they are.
In 2021, we introduced Transfers to the platform, completing another leg of the travel journey. Airport pickup, city-to-city, and point-to-point — these essential details help ensure a seamless travel experience. Our partners could now offer a comprehensive solution all in one place.
Seven years in, we took a moment to reflect. The platform had grown significantly, and it felt right for the brand to reflect that growth. In 2023, RateHawk revealed a new brand identity — sharper, bolder, and more aligned with who we had become.
Felix Shpilman, President and CEO of Emerging Travel Group
Felix Shpilman, CEO of Emerging Travel Group, put it plainly: “The rebranding mirrors the natural evolution of RateHawk. With a seven-year history, RateHawk has evolved from a B2B hotel-booking system into an advanced platform that offers one of the most extensive hotel supplies in the market and provides a comprehensive spectrum of travel services.”
At the heart of it, he explained, one thing has remained unchanged: “What sets us apart is our product-driven DNA, which guides our approach in all endeavors. This forward-thinking mindset positions RateHawk to drive innovation in an industry historically known for its resistance to change and limited online presence.”
Rebranding is never just cosmetic — It’s a statement of intent. Felix was clear about what that intent means for partners: “Our aim is to liberate our partners from the challenges of navigating digitalization on their own. RateHawk remains committed to actively engaging with its partners to tailor its products to their specific requirements. We develop tools that empower professionals to enhance the sale of travel services, introduce solutions that enable remote business, pioneer new payment methods and procedures — all while delivering exceptional customer service. With RateHawk, partners can rest assured they are not alone in their demanding profession — they are supercharged with top-tier products and professional assistance.”
The RateHawk community includes those who strive to provide their clients with the best travel options possible and fill their lives with new adventures.
New product, new structure. In 2024, we launched our Railway product — bringing trains into the range of travel services available on RateHawk.
Behind the scenes, our global expansion was formalizing: eight legal entities operating worldwide, providing the infrastructure to support partners at a truly international scale.
Some milestones speak for themselves. In 2025, RateHawk reached 100,000+ partner travel agencies. That number is not just a metric — it’s a community of agencies in every corner of the world who trust RateHawk to power their business.
We also introduced Online Car Rentals that year, bringing instant, fully digital car rental booking to the platform. Faster, better, and supercharged for everyone.
Here we are. A decade after RateHawk first launched, the platform looks very different from where it began in 2016 — and yet the spirit remains the same— build something genuinely useful, keep making it better, and never stop moving forward. Supercharging travel.
From a single platform idea to 100,000+ travel agency partners across more than 100 markets worldwide. From hotels to cars, flights, transfers, and rail. From desktop to mobile. From one legal entity to eight.
Felix Shpilman, President and CEO of Emerging Travel Group
Felix Shpilman sums it up best: “In 2026, RateHawk celebrates 10 years of supporting travel professionals worldwide. For a decade, we’ve been building a platform that travel businesses can truly rely on, adding markets, capabilities, and momentum every year. Now, we’re fully charged and ready to power what’s next.”
And to every partner who has been part of this: “As we mark this milestone, we want to thank you for being part of our shared journey. Your trust and partnership have helped shape RateHawk into what it is today. We remain committed to supporting your success and continuing to supercharge the travel industry together.”
Ten years. Quite a journey. And we’re just getting started.
