Category Archives: Agents

World Travel Market London 2023 has signed up more than 14% new exhibitors, ranging from household names to specialist firms and niche brands. They will make up around 4,000 exhibitors at ExCeL London (6-8th November) to exchange ideas, drive innovation and accelerate their businesses. High-profile names debuting this year this year include Eurostar – the high-speed international rail service connecting the UK with mainland Europe – and ABBA Voyage, a live concert staged in London with virtual ‘Abbatars’. Also exhibiting for the first time is the Bermuda Tourism Authority, which is heading to WTM London to highlight its culture, heritage, cuisine, wellness and sustainability offerings. Other tourism boards making their first appearance at WTM London come from destinations as diverse as Sabah – promoting travel to northern Borneo, in Malaysia – and Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan. Other new exhibitors from Asia are Ayana Hospitality, which offers luxury resorts and hotels in Indonesia, and Vietnam’s Thien Minh Group, showcasing its wide range of services, such as destination management, hospitality, online solutions and aviation. Rapidly growing global online travel agency Trip.com Group will be attending to target growth within the European market, while UK-based package holiday specialist HolidayBest will promote its worldwide range of destinations and vacation styles. Other new exhibitors will be travelling from Turkey, such as the Turkish travel agency association TURSAB, and Salkantay Trekking will be visiting from Peru, where it is a leading tour operator offering treks and adventure tours to Machu Picchu. Delegates in the technology zone will be able to meet new tech exhibitors such as search marketing agency Vertical Leap, and payments specialist flywire – which exhibited with WTM for the first time …

Emirates, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and Association of South African Travel Agents (ASATA) have launched online training courses for new travel professionals to help them develop and build stronger skillsets, as well as enhance understanding around the industry’s key principles to support the wider travel and tourism sector. Using the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism’s already established Dubai College of Tourism (DCT) online platform, travel professionals in South Africa have free access to various online courses and training resources to help them develop the essential skills required to enter the industry or expand their abilities, improve their knowledge around industry systems and processes, ultimately helping them to maximise their career potential and employability. Courses start with the fundamentals: understanding the role of a travel agent, gaining familiarity with key industry terminology, understanding different procedures in relation to travel bookings, from the initial quotation stage through to the time of travel. Participants will explore the types of enquiries and proposals common within the industry, alongside developing the skills and knowledge required to prepare quotations, book supplier products and services and process travel related documentation. The rich, interactive content delivered in the courses contextually use Dubai as the primary market example when explaining the skills and terms associated with the travel industry value chain. Emirates’ products and services are also utilised to simulate and explain the airline retailing journey and the fundamentals of distribution systems for travel agents. In addition to acquiring valuable industry knowledge, professionals gain extensive insight into Dubai as a destination, already a popular city for South Africans, as well as Emirates products and services. Upon completion of the courses, participating travel professionals will …

Wego acquired Travelstop. This strategic move will expand Wego’s reach into business travel and expense management. The acquisition will also empower Travelstop to tap into Wego’s regional network and leverage its deep understanding of the travel industry to drive growth and provide enhanced services to their customers. Wego has long been a leader in the travel industry, known for its innovative solutions and commitment to delivering exceptional and seamless travel experiences. Since its launch, Travelstop has emerged as a game-changer in the business travel industry, providing businesses of all sizes with a modern platform that streamlines travel management and automates expense processes. By combining their resources and expertise, Wego and Travelstop aim to revolutionize the way companies navigate the complexities of corporate travel as well as contribute to the growth and development of the travel industry in the Middle East and Asia-Pacific regions. “We are thrilled to announce the acquisition of Travelstop,” said Ross Veitch, CEO and Co-founder of Wego. “This strategic move is in line with our vision of offering comprehensive travel solutions to businesses in the region. Together, Travelstop and Wego will empower businesses to streamline their travel and expense management processes, introducing new levels of convenience and cost-efficiency.” Through this acquisition, Wego aims to address the unique challenges faced by businesses operating in emerging markets, such as fragmented travel options and manual expense reporting. The combined platform will provide businesses with a one-stop solution, enabling them to seamlessly manage their corporate travel needs while gaining greater visibility and control over expenses. “We are excited about the immense potential that this partnership brings,” said Prashant Kirtane, CEO & Co-founder of Travelstop. “With our combined expertise and assets, we …

Amadeus’ Demand360® subscribers using the BEONx Revenue Management System (RMS) can now gain access to the in-depth, forward-looking market insights provided by Amadeus’ business intelligence solution in their RMS. Fluctuating demand and economic conditions brought on by the pandemic have highlighted the importance of revenue management systems and business intelligence within the hospitality industry. Having access to both historical and forward-looking data has become critical in enabling hoteliers to develop smarter, more informed business strategies. Going beyond the existing integration with iHotelier®, Amadeus, a global provider of hospitality technology solutions, and BEONx, a leading hospitality revenue management service provider, announce an extension of their partnership to bring comprehensive business intelligence to BEONx customers that subscribe to Demand360®. The integration will allow hoteliers using BEONx to gain access to Amadeus’ Demand360® business intelligence insights within their RMS. This will significantly improve a hotelier’s ability to understand market demand, historical and forward-looking business performance, and track results against their competitive set to best optimize revenue. BEONx hotels will also able to join Amadeus’ Demand360 network, strengthening the data available in that solution. “Expanding our partnership with Amadeus will better serve the interests of common clients,” said Rubén Sánchez, CEO and Founder at BEONx. “The two-way data exchange will enhance the revenue insights and competitiveness of hotels connected to BEONx and Amadeus by giving them improved visibility into market trends. It will also improve the BEONx algorithms that provide forecasting and inventory control systems capabilities to their participating hotels.” “With fiercer competition and leaner teams, revenue managers are often managing multiple properties now, rather than a single hotel,” said Michael Yeomans, Senior Vice President, Business Intelligence & Data Solutions, Hospitality, Amadeus. “This kind …

Beond Airline in Saudi Arabia has selected Almosafer as the exclusive general sales agent (GSA) in Saudi Arabia. Almosafer will lead Beond’s sales, promotions and ground staff activities in Saudi Arabia through its dedicated service solution Almosafer Business, leveraging the large customer base across Almosafer’s businesses including the consumer segment, Discover Saudi, the destination management company,and Mawasim, the Hajj and Umrah tour operator. Under the agreement, Almosafer Business will handle the reservations, transactions and administration relating to general sales for Beond. Beond’s fleet is comprised of an all-premium cabin configuration that delivers maximum comfort, elegance and style. It plans to operate a non-stop route between Riyadh and Malé. The newly launched airline has set out to capitalise on the ever-increasing demand for travel from KSA to the archipelago in the Indian Ocean, which as a destination has seen a steady influx of visitors from the Saudi market, especially in the luxury segment. Tero Taskila, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Beond, said: “Beond is pleased to be represented by Almosafer in Saudi Arabia. They have the standards, experience and consumer trust necessary to offer Beond’s premium leisure experience to discerning customers in the Saudi market.” Muzzammil Ahussain, Chief Executive Officer of Almosafer, said: “The Maldives is a very popular destination for Saudi travellers and a very important market for our company. At a time where travellers are increasingly looking for exclusive and meaningful experiences, we are delivering on our commitment to our customers and partners by offering a wide range of products and services that cater to their needs. We look forward to working with Beond to provide our customers with premium experiences.” This year, there has been increasingly strong …

RezLive.com announced the launch of its new and enhanced version, designed to provide travel agents with a more refreshing and convenient platform for their business needs. The upgraded features and user-friendly interface aim to streamline the booking process, empower travel agents, and elevate the overall booking experience. RezLive.com has always been committed to delivering exceptional travel solutions, and the new version is a testament to the company’s dedication to continuous improvement. The latest upgrades leverage cutting-edge technology to revolutionize the travel industry’s B2B segment, ensuring travel agents have access to the most advanced tools and a seamless user experience. One of the key enhancements of the new B2B version is its refreshing and intuitive interface. The platform has undergone a complete redesign, featuring a modern and sleek look that captivates users from the moment they log in. The clean and user-friendly layout allows travel agents to navigate effortlessly and access a comprehensive range of travel services and products. Furthermore, RezLive.com’s new version offers a highly convenient booking process that saves time and simplifies operations for travel agents. With the introduction of a simplified search and booking system, agents can quickly find the best deals tailored to their clients’ needs. The upgraded interface is optimized for speed and responsiveness, ensuring efficient browsing and enabling agents to complete bookings with ease. “We are excited to launch the new version of RezLive.com, which signifies a major milestone for our company,” said Jaal Shah, Group Managing Director at RezLive.com. “Our goal is to empower travel agents with a refreshing and convenient platform that enables them to provide seamless travel experiences for their clients. With the new version, we are confident that travel agents will …

Rayna Tours unveiled their latest addition, the thrilling Paramotor Desert Adventure, launched on September 1st, 2023, promising to take adventurers in Dubai to new heights – quite literally. In the ever-evolving landscape of travel and leisure, Rayna Tours stands out as a pioneer in creating remarkable experiences that captivate the hearts of adventure enthusiasts. With a remarkable portfolio of air, sea, and desert escapades, Rayna Tours has been at the forefront of redefining adventure tourism in the UAE. “At Rayna Tours, we believe in the power of creating unforgettable experiences that ignite the spirit of exploration within each of us. Adventures are not just a part of our repertoire – they are our specialty,” says Senthil Velan, Group CEO at Rayna Tours. “We take immense pride in curating journeys that resonate with the daring souls who seek thrill and exhilaration. Today, I’m thrilled to announce the latest addition to our family of adventures: the Paramotor Desert Adventure.” This fresh venture is a testament to Rayna Tours’ commitment to enhancing customers’ journeys and pushing the boundaries of adventure tourism. The Paramotor Desert experience offers participants the chance to soar above the breathtaking desert landscapes of Dubai, creating an adrenaline-pumping encounter that blends the excitement of flying with the serene beauty of the desert terrain. It’s an experience that embodies Rayna Tours’ dedication to providing unique and memorable escapades in Dubai and beyond. Rayna Tours’ adventure offerings are already extensive and diverse, encompassing various terrains and activities across the UAE. From the tranquil beauty of ‘Balloon Flights’ that provide a bird’s-eye view of picturesque landscapes, to the mysteries of ‘Deep-Sea Advetures’ and the heart-pounding excitement of activities like ‘Drive The Thrill’ and …

TBO.COM announced a strategic partnership with WebEngage for a comprehensive digital transformation. TBO will harness WebEngage’s cutting-edge automation and AI-ML tools, journey designers, and personalization engines to empower travel agents to serve their customers effectively. TBO is known for its pathbreaking “B2A” strategy in the tourism industry. Acronym for “Business to Agents”, the first-of-its-kind strategy in the region is aimed at empowering agents to maximize earnings by meaningfully catering to travellers seeking customized, hassle-free, and convenience-oriented tourism services. Such innovative B2B strategies, coupled with round-the-clock agent support and acceptance of over 55 currencies, have enabled TBO to expand its purview to over a million hotels and 120 countries globally. “Travel distribution platforms such as ours are ripe for technological adoption aimed at higher conversions and insights-led engagement. A marketing-automation innovator of WebEngage’s calibre as a solutions provider complements the scale of our operations and aspirations. The partnership will enable us to deliver personalized services to our agents and partners and, through them, a multitude of travellers across the globe,” expressed Gaurav Bhatnagar, Co-Founder & Managing Director, TBO.COM Reiterating the need for marketing automation in tourism distribution, Avlesh Singh, Co-Founder & CEO, WebEngage, said that business-facing companies must engage like they are directly dealing with customers. “The next phase of B2B growth will hinge on superior customer experiences. Therefore, in tourism distribution, a unified view of agents, dynamic segmentation, and the ability to automate and orchestrate cross-channel communications at scale will constitute a competitive edge. Our partnership with TBO is built on that objective.” WebEngage’s full-stack Retention Operating System has delivered measurable results for companies across sectors. As a testament to its success, WebEngage has built a portfolio of over 800 …

Almosafer has partnered with MoEngage, a marketing automation and customer engagement platform, to drive meaningful engagement with its travellers using an insights-led strategy. Almosafer’s consumer travel platform offers travelers seamless experiences for domestic and international travel bookings through its omnichannel offerings. Currently catering to KSA and other GCC audiences, the brand will leverage MoEngage’s platform to create personalized messaging, ensuring continuous customer engagement at the right place and time. “We understand the importance of trust when it comes to booking travel services. Our customers can rely on us to deliver on our promises, ensuring they receive the services they booked with confidence and peace of mind. Additionally, we also realize the research that goes behind booking a service, and we intend to provide assistance there as well with the help of MoEngage”, said Pallav Singhvi, VP Consumer Travel – Almosafer. Apart from meaningful customer engagement, Almosafer will leverage MoEngage’s capabilities, such as advanced segmentation, automation, and personalization capabilities. This will enable the brand to craft highly relevant and impactful campaigns whilst delivering the right messages to the right customers, maximizing the effectiveness of engagement efforts. Almosafer joins the growing list of 1200+ global companies across 35 countries, such as Azadea Group, Commercial Bank of Dubai, Landmark Group, Apparel Group, Airtel, Ola, Oyo, and Mashreq, that trust MoEngage to deliver a consistent experience across multiple devices and touchpoints. “We are excited to join hands with a leading brand that focuses on engagement across the customer journey lifecycle. Establishing a sound customer customer engagement strategy can lead to a long-term relationship and MoEngage will be more than happy to assist Almosafer in doing so”, said Sweta Duseja, Director of Customer Success, META …

The General Authority of Civil Aviation KSA announced the adoption of a new regulation to protect the rights of travelers, to replace the executive regulation to protect the rights of customers, and the new regulation will be effective from November 20, 2023 with some compensation amounts to 150% and 200% of the ticket value.. The regulation guarantees passengers, upon loss of baggage, a financial compensation equivalent to approximately 6568 Saudi riyals, and in the event of damage, defect or delay, a financial compensation not exceeding approximately 6568 Saudi riyals. The new regulation aims to contribute to upgrading air transport services, enhancing its efficiency, and improving the traveler’s experience to, from and within the Kingdom, by providing the necessary care and support tools. The regulations included (30) articles that guarantee the traveler access to care, support and compensation in the event of advance, delay or cancellation of flights, as well as in the event of refusal to board due to overbooking or downgrade. The regulation also guaranteed compensation to travelers in the event of adding a stopping point that was not announced when creating the reservation. The regulation also clarified the obligations of both the passenger and the air carrier. The regulation dealt with the rights of travelers with disabilities and special requirements, and the regulation also guaranteed the rights of travelers in cases of accidental transportation, including, for example, the seasonal Umrah and Hajj trips. The Vice President of the General Authority for Civil Aviation for Quality and Traveler Experience, Eng. Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Dahmash, confirmed that the new regulation reflects the authority’s interest in the satisfaction of travelers, and its keenness to improve the travel experience in the Kingdom’s …