Category Archives: Technology

IBTM Events recently launched a new online platform, IBTM Connect. The launch is part of a three-step plan to keep exhibitors, hosted buyers and the wider industry connected as collectively we navigate the impact of COVID-19. IBTM Connect will host regularly updated content, including insightful webinars and videos from key industry professionals, ways to virtually network with industry peers and news and updates to prepare for recovery. Commenting on the launch, Shane Hannam, Portfolio Director, IBTM Events, said, “Our connections and industry partnerships mean that we are uniquely positioned to create and curate high quality content from around the globe that can serve to provide insights and tangible benefits during this time. By keeping conversations going and sharing learnings, together we can weather the storm and emerge in the strongest possible position to rebuild and recover.” Content will be refreshed regularly, including with weekly webinars from industry experts covering topics, including motivational keynote speaker Gary Bradt delivering a session on ‘how to cope during times of unprecedented change’ and Helen Moon, Founder and MD of EventWell, talking about ‘mental health and wellbeing’. The latest content on IBTM Connect covers everything from mental health and wellness, to managing a crisis and tips for working from home.

Travelport announced signing a new multi-year content agreement with Malaysia Airlines. The agreement also includes the use of Travelport’s leading merchandising tool, Travelport Rich Content and Branding, as well as Travelport’s Digital Media Solutions. With the agreement, over 68,000 agencies servicing hundreds of millions of travellers worldwide will have real-time access to search, book and sell the content and inventory of Malaysia Airlines. It will also join over 300 other airlines using Travelport’s Rich Content and Branding merchandising tool, which gives agencies a graphically rich experience when searching for and booking branded fares. Additionally, Travelport Digital Media Solutions, including Travelport sponsored flights and destination banners, will be used by Malaysia Airlines to promote its flight options through highly targeted advertising tool kits and campaigns. Commenting on the new deal, Lau Yin May, Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer of Malaysia Airlines said, “We fly to over 1,000 destinations around the world and Travelport’s edge in technology innovations, air merchandising and digital marketing will help Malaysia Airlines better fulfill the demands of travellers and seize growth opportunities in today’s highly competitive environment.” Chris Ramm, Vice President Asia Pacific, Air Partners at Travelport, said, “Following the airline’s launch of new flexible fare options last year, I believe Travelport Rich Content and Branding will further empower Malaysia Airlines to offer more flexibility to travellers who increasingly demand personalised travel experience. Our Digital Media Solutions will also support Malaysia Airlines in global and tactical sales campaigns to promote its product offerings.”

Dubai’s Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) has signed an agreement with BeemCar, touted as one of the largest developers of sky pods in the world, to develop sky pods in Dubai, in a move to step up the development of futuristic mobility solutions in the emirate through suspended transport technology. Abdul Mohsen Ibrahim Younes, CEO of Rail Agency, signed for RTA; and Robin Brownsell, CEO of BeemCar, signed on behalf of the company. “The signing of the agreement is part of RTA’s efforts to deploy autonomous transit means in line with the Dubai Self-Driving Transport Strategy aimed at diverting 25% of total mobility journeys in Dubai to autonomous transit means by 2030. The move corresponds to RTA’s efforts to enhance the integration of mass transit modes, and offer a solution to the first and last-mile challenge; which helps riders reach their final destinations,” said His Excellency Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA. “I am very pleased to attend the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority and BeemCar UK. This exciting collaboration will evaluate the feasibility of an aerial transit system based on BeemCar’s unique expertise. This is another example of the UK’s continued commitment to forging partnerships with the UAE across a broad range of innovation and technology,” said His Excellency Chris Heaton-Harris, Minister of State at the Department for Transport, UK.

SalamAir has announced a strategic tie-up with Tune Protect Commercial Brokerage LLC (Tune Protect EMEIA), to offer an array of travel protection benefits for its passengers. The agreement encompasses travel protection for travel-related uncertainty of the airline’s domestic and international passengers. The travel protection products offered are specially designed for SalamAir travellers. The travel protection programme provides travellers with a host of benefits such as overseas medical expenses, travel cancellation, missed departure, baggage delays, travel delay, emergency medical evacuation, repatriation, personal accident and many more. Captain Mohamed Ahmed, CEO of SalamAir said, “As part of this agreement, we will offer comprehensive travel protection provisions for our customers that will allow them to be assured in case of any travel-related eventuality. Having a travel protection plan enables travellers to travel with peace of mind. Travel Protection is very popular in all markets across the world and we believe that our passengers will benefit from what Tune Protect is offering. Tune Protect offers comprehensive and affordable protection plans to meet the needs of travellers.” Arijit Munshi, General Manager of Tune Protect EMEIA said, “SalamAir is in the midst of its most exciting growth phase and I am sure that the technology provided by Tune Protect EMEIA to facilitate the travel protection programme across its network will provide ease and convenience, as well as a memorable travel experience to SalamAir’s customers.”

Hala Travel Management, an Abu Dhabi based company, has confirmed an extended partnership agreement with Amadeus to develop and deploy digital solutions for its government and corporate clients.  Hala Travel Management is part of the Etihad Aviation Group and has long championed global best practices in digital transformation and provides truly bespoke experiences to its clients. The agreement will span over the next five years with a focus on personalised services, traveller safety, and delivering unparalleled value for money to organisations in the UAE.  As part of the agreement, the company will be able to leverage the strengths of the Amadeus Selling Platform, connecting with global tools such as the Amadeus Online Corporate Traveller, Amadeus Margin Manager, Amadeus Fare Optimiser, the Amadeus B2B Wallet, Mobile Application and its latest Amadeus Value Hotels programme. Ahmed Ershood Al Shehhi, General Manager of Hala Travel Management, said, “We have always looked at technology as an enabler—a tool for providing enhanced, seamless, and more personalised services to our clients. With Amadeus, we have a wealth of digital tools at our fingertips, and are free from technology constraints so that we can put more of our passion to work.” Ernesto Sanchez Beaumont, Managing Director of Amadeus Gulf, said, “We are delighted to be collaborating with Hala Travel Management as a real pioneer in the local travel sector. The Amadeus platforms that they will have access to are built with customers in mind, following thousands of hours of in-depth user research. In this fast-moving industry, such platforms help companies to sell more, move faster, and ultimately serve better.” 

Etihad Airways announced a partnership with Braathens IT to develop TravelPass, an innovative travel solution initially aimed at corporate and frequent travellers which will be launched later this year. The new TravelPass technology provides a subscription-based travel solution, allowing Etihad to offer its frequent guests complete flexibility and ease with their regular and recurring travel arrangements. Customers can purchase a TravelPass for a set number of trips or a particular travel period instead of purchasing flights one by one. Subscription-based travel is good news for the aviation industry as it provides customers with the choice between prepaid trips and pay-as-you-fly options, meeting the demands of flexibility, ease of booking and cost-efficient travel management. Robin Kamark, Chief Commercial Officer, Etihad Aviation Group, said, “The innovative TravelPass technology offers a revolutionary booking experience for corporate and frequent clients who will also be enrolled into our award-winning Etihad Guest frequent flyer programme. By simplifying the travel process to just a few clicks, our guests have a seamless transaction through a platform that holds all your details in one place, gives you the flexibility to make changes to your bookings without fees and gives you the choice to pay later. We know our corporate clients are time-poor and believe this innovative addition to our digital offering will improve the travel journey for subscribers.” Svein Therkelsen, Chief Executive Officer, Braathens IT, said, “Etihad is going to take sophisticated digital personalisation very far, everything from ease of use to customisation. They are an innovative player and they will continue in that direction to improve their customers’ digital experience using TravelPass.”

Accenture opened Dubai Tourism Innovation Hub, the company’s first innovation hub in the Middle East & North Africa region. Located in Dubai Media City, the Dubai Tourism Innovation Hub is an immersive environment that showcases Accenture’s capabilities across a variety of innovative technologies, including extended reality, artificial intelligence, the internet of things, and more. Through industry-focused demos, co-creation sessions, prototyping, and a startup showcase, the Dubai Tourism Innovation Hub provides a platform for clients and partners to tap into Accenture’s global industry knowledge to ideate and develop smart and scalable innovative solutions that help them transform their businesses in the tourism sector. “With tourism development a priority on national agendas across the Gulf Cooperation Council region, we’re excited to launch our very first Tourism Innovation Hub in Dubai,” said Norberto Cibien, Managing Director and Accenture Products industry group lead in the Middle East. “Millions of people will visit Expo 2020 Dubai, and with 70 per cent expected to come from abroad, it’s critical to develop a seamless travel experience, which requires bridging disconnected ecosystem players and catering to unique and evolving customer needs.” Xavier Anglada, Managing Director and Accenture Digital lead in the Middle East, added, “Accenture is proud to harness innovative technologies to support the government and private-sector stakeholders in bringing tailored and new concepts and features to the region. Through the Dubai Tourism Innovation Hub, we will create sustainable and valuable opportunities for business transformation in the tourism sector here in the UAE and across the wider region.”

Al Rajhi Aviation has renewed an exclusive partnership with Sabre Corporation, to support its plans to expand regionally and explore opportunities in online travel. This agreement provides Al Rajhi Aviation with continued access to Sabre’s portfolio of innovative technology and its intelligent platform Sabre Red 360, allowing it to effectively harness data and deliver superior content to its travellers. This unique technology will help enable the travel company to differentiate its offering, compete more effectively and grow faster in the region, as well as expand into the online sector.  Naiyer Alam, General Manager, Al Rajhi Aviation, said, “Our renewed partnership will see us leverage Sabre’s global expertise to enrich our online travel presence, provide exceptional travel experiences and expand our reach beyond Saudi Arabia.” “Saudi Arabia is a unique market with great potential that requires customised solutions to meet the high expectations of its travellers,” said Abdul-Razzaq Iyer, Vice President, Sabre Travel Network Middle East. “We look forward to continue working with Al Rajhi Aviation to provide them with the latest solutions in data, business intelligence, online and mobile capabilities to provide a world class travel experience for both online and offline travel.”

dnata Travel signed a multiyear agreement with Sabre Corporation. The five-year deal will represent an extended, broader relationship between the two companies in the Middle East. Under this agreement, dnata Travel Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Partner Network will continue to access Sabre’s portfolio of innovative technology and its intelligent platform Sabre Red 360, allowing it to harness more data, content and flexibility to differentiate its offering from more than 420 airlines, 750,000 hotel properties, and hundreds of tour operators, rail, car and cruise providers. “Sabre’s global expertise, extensive knowledge and understanding of the dynamic global travel eco-system make it the partner of choice,” said Alan William, VP Air & Distribution Partnerships, dnata Travel. “We expect future collaboration on accelerated innovation, operational simplification and gains in digital user experience as a result of this expanded relationship.” Abdul Iyer, VP ME, Sabre Travel Network Middle East, said, “Our new agreement will deliver technology and solutions that fulfill latest industry trends such as NDC and virtual payments. dnata Travel has a strong strategy, and its roadmap to use the latest technologies to create a more personalised travel experience which aligns completely with the investments Sabre is making to help agents deliver a more seamless traveller experience.”

Sabre Corporation and Accor will be creating the first unified central reservation (CR) and property management (PM) platform for the global hospitality industry. The collaboration intends to develop a new full service property management capability and enrich its existing central reservation and limited service property management systems. These capabilities will combine within a new unified cloud-native, highly-flexible platform that will be built for and available to hoteliers across all property classes and geographic regions. In this context, Accor would be Sabre’s newest enterprise hospitality customer, adopting Sabre’s industry-leading SynXis Central Reservation System and, ultimately, the new global technology platform for all its hospitality brands and geographies. “We know our customers have historically had limited options in this area, and we are taking the lead to deliver the solutions that hoteliers have repeatedly told us they both want and need. Once developed, this offering will power a new generation of retailing, distribution and fulfillment solutions that will enable hotels to drive revenue growth beyond traditional sources and offer unique personalised services to their guests around the world,” said Sean Menke, President and CEO of Sabre Corporation. “Partners like Sabre are essential to helping us effectively leverage existing and new technology to further accelerate our net supply growth and lower costs for our hotel owners as well as for the Group,” said Sébastien Bazin, Chairman and CEO for Accor. “For Accor, the new technology will bring an opportunity to further and significantly enhance the Group’s core business activities including hotel distribution, guest recognition and owner relationships,” said Gilles de Richemond, Chief Information Officer, Accor. “We expect that the unified CR/PM platform will allow Sabre to better meet the needs of enterprise hoteliers …