Category Archives: Technology

Smartworld, the UAE’s leading semi-government technology service provider, is showcasing the latest Cisco engineered technology solutions ranging from cyber security, blockchain, analytics to anti-drones system and detection at the ongoing Gitex Technology Week 2019 in Dubai. The technology service provider is also showcasing its success stories with Dubai Airports infrastructure projects, Etisalat in-building solutions projects, and the current engagement with Cisco and Expo 2020. On its participation in the 39th edition of Gitex at Cisco stand, Abdulqader Ali, CEO of Smartworld, said the purpose is to throw the spotlight on its latest end-to-end solutions offerings. Smartworld offers organisations opportunities to achieve formerly impossible efficiencies and innovations by delivering value that previously required too many people or too much time with the help of AI. Streamlining routine and non-routine tasks frees employees to work on other problems and parts of the business. Smartworld also offers a wide range of AI-based video analytics that support organisations to drive digital business transformation and to deliver the scale and value needed to achieve business ambitions — and data and analytics capabilities lie at the heart of any such platform. The company will offer drone applications that can be used for inspection, research and multiple business purposes, as well as display and track its anti-drone system, protecting the interests of stakeholders against intrusions, surveillance or illegal actions. Smartworld is demonstrating its blockchain solution for the education sector, which issues and verifies blockchain-based records for academic credentials and professional certifications, ensuring the longevity and interoperability of the digital records.

Sabre Corporation, the leading global travel technology provider, in partnership with TrendWatching—global consumer trends and insights experts—has released a consumer trends study explaining the ‘Retail Revolution’ in the hospitality industry. “Technology is changing the expectations of today’s traveller. They demand flexibility, optionality and a seamless shopping experience that goes beyond booking a guest room. This presents exciting opportunities for hoteliers to extend far beyond their traditional offerings,” said Clinton Anderson, President of Sabre Hospitality Solutions. The report details how innovative retail and hospitality players are harnessing six key consumer trends to drive innovation and improve their guest experience. It includes actionable insights to fuel creativity and gain a deeper understanding of how concepts can be applied to provide guests with convenience, relevance, fun, recognition and support – the things they crave in today’s retail-driven environment. Trend 1 -Sentient spaces Travellers are increasingly aware of an ever-growing ecosystem of cameras and sensors. Although sensitive to security concerns, they crave personalisation and are willing to share their data to get it. Truly smart physical spaces – retail stores, hotel rooms and more – are now built with technology ranging from facial recognition to robots that create experiences tailored to the guests moving through them.  Trend 2 – A-CommerceRetailers have mastered the use of algorithms and smart devices to increase convenience and serve up intuitive recommendations at crucial moments. Busy travellers will increasingly expect the same experience from their travel providers. Developing capabilities to automate shopping, selecting and purchasing activities will allow hoteliers to deliver increased simplicity – and a more meaningful experience – to their guests. Trend 3 – Village squaredSmart retailers are responding to society’s increasing sense of isolation by transforming …

The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) announced that it will participate at GITEX Technology Week 2019, which will take place from October 6-10 at Dubai World Trade Centre, under the umbrella of the Sharjah Government. Underscoring its commitment to harnessing the power of technology in its efforts to promote Sharjah’s tourism sector, SCTDA will launch new innovative services at the Sharjah Pavilion of the event.   Commenting on SCTDA’s GITEX participation, H. E.Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of SCTDA, said, “The role of Artificial Intelligence within the business world has grown dramatically over the past decade and as a result, recent years have witnessed widespread adoption of AI applications by the travel and tourism industry as well. Thanks to the increased connectivity of devices, the Internet of Things (IoT) is also making its impact felt in the tourism and hospitality industry. ” “We consider GITEX an ideal platform to inform the public about our innovative smart services that have been designed to complement the UAE Smart Government goals to help customers save time and effort and to contribute to sustainable development process. The smart services developed by the Authority form part of the objectives of the Sharjah Tourism Vision 2021, adopting an innovative approach to tourism as a key pillar of the Vision,” he shared.

VFS Global, the world’s largest outsourcing and technology services specialist for governments and diplomatic missions worldwide, relocates its Visa Application Centre in Abu Dhabi to a more accessible and premium location in terms of amenities and infrastructure. Commenting on the key features of the new centre, Vinay Malhotra, Regional Group COO for Middle East, South Asia & China, VFS Global, said, “The expansive new centre serves 27 client governments and provides outbound travellers from Abu Dhabi a very convenient visa application platform, ensuring enhanced quality of services and seamless procedures in a spacious environment. Visa applicants can enjoy personalised services while submitting their visa applications in the comfort of luxurious Platinum or Premium lounges.” Following the relocation, customers can submit their visa applications in an even more convenient and comfortable environment at the new VFS Global centre situated at Level B2 (Lower Ground), The Mall, World Trade Centre, Khalifa Bin Zayed the 1st Street (Airport Road), Abu Dhabi. The newly relocated centre is larger, with a greater applicant accommodating capacity compared to the previous centre, along with high security control and ample parking space.   From this centre, customers can apply for visas to Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Malaysia, Malta, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Turkey, United Kingdom and Ukraine. In 2018, VFS Global processed approximately half a million applications from the United Arab Emirates alone, and Abu Dhabi centre accounted for over 80,000 visa applications.

Sabre Corporation announced the signing of a long-term agreement with Magnum Travel Services, a travel management company fully owned by World Travel Services, one of the most well-established travel companies in the Kingdom of Bahrain.  Through the renewed partnership, Magnum will extend its use of Sabre’s industry-leading technology and solutions to expand its footprint regionally and explore the online travel space. World Travel Services has worked with Sabre for more than a decade to enable corporate travel companies to enhance the experience for its business travellers. Magnum Travel Services will continue to use Sabre’s shopping, booking and travel management solutions to provide more personalised services and rich content to corporate travellers while driving new revenue opportunities, operational efficiencies and productivity. “New technology is driving higher expectations from travellers, and there’s now a greater demand for more personalised travel, online and mobile services,” said Hisham El Saadi, CEO, Magnum Travel Service. “Magnum Travel Services’ appetite for innovation is a driving force behind its growth and expansion in Bahrain, and we are proud to support its strategic plans through our technology solutions,” said Abdul-Razzaq Iyer, Vice President, Sabre Travel Network Middle East.

Travellers across the world are increasingly prioritising value over cost, demanding more autonomy when it comes to personalisation, and using digital solutions to research and manage their trips. These are among the findings of Travelport’s Global Digital Traveller Research 2019, which surveyed 23,000 people from 20 countries. When booking a flight, value is a top priority for over four out of five (86 per cent) travellers today with just one in five (18 per cent) now booking solely on cost. This trend is apparent across all age groups led by Baby Boomers (91 per cent) who prioritise value marginally more than younger generations. Across all age categories, when booking a flight, travellers typically want to personalise their own experience (42 per cent) through add-ons like extra legroom, additional baggage allowance and meal upgrades. One quarter (24 per cent), however, prefer to receive branded offers, such as Flexi and Saver, which provide a basic level of personalisation. A wide range of technologies are now influencing decision-making. Nearly three quarters (71 per cent) of travellers today consider it important whether an airline offers a good digital experience when booking a flight, up +3 per cent on 2018. Over half (58 per cent) also consider this when choosing accommodation, up +7 per cent on 2018. Commenting on the findings of the research, Travelport’s Chief Customer and Marketing Officer, Fiona Shanley, said, “Travellers are consumers too and they want an experience from travel providers and travel agents that is as simple and engaging as the best retailers. Travelport’s latest global research shows that technology is key to this – from serving relevant and personalised offers to providing attractive propositions from trusted sources. With increasing …

VFS Global is welcoming Saudi talent to consider a future in the tourism sector as the country accelerates its efforts towards becoming a world-class tourist hub. Building on its Saudisation initiative, which has achieved 51 per cent and a Platinum status under the Saudi Nitaqat programme since being launched across Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar in 2018, VFS Global is encouraging Saudi students to opt for career paths within the organisation as it eyes exceeding 60 per cent Saudisation by 2020. To date, the company’s efforts have been devoted to hiring over 60 qualified Saudi national interns. Since 2018, VFS Global has partnered with the King Saud University, King Abdulaziz University and Jeddah University. The company is currently working on internship agreements with Princess Nourah Bint Abdul Rahman University and Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University. Dr. Adeeb A. Al-Khaliel, Vice – Rector Assistant for Industrial and Business Relation, King Saud University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, said, “The tourism industry shows promising potential for the leadership’s vision and we are pleased with the Saudisation initiative VFS Global has incorporated in its organisational framework.” Vinay Malhotra, Regional Group COO, VFS Global, said, “ As a company with strong foundations in the tourism sector, VFS Global is pleased to welcome more Saudi nationals into this innovative space in order to highlight potential employment opportunities and make progress towards KSA’s Vision 2030 directives for launching promising sectors.” In addition to the internship programme, VFS Global has also launched a management trainee programme for existing Saudi nationals to build on mid-level manager capabilities and provide rapid development career pathways.

Athletes and coaches from all around the world regularly criss-cross their region, country, or continent as they travel to one major sporting event after another in order to participate and compete. We spoke to Omar Al Souma, Saudi-based Al Ahli football player about the planning and preparation he needs to undertake for his travel. He has been playing football for almost two decades – his popularity skyrocketed in 2007 when he travelled from Syria to Dammam to participate in the Asian Youth Cup and lead his team to victory. Al Souma says that he has travelled frequently since and requires a visa for most countries he visits. Earlier, he had to visit the visa application centre to submit his application and biometric information but that has changed since he started using VFS Global’s new Visa At Your Doorstep service. The technology-enabled service brings the visa application process directly to the applicant, and that too at their preferred time and location. Recounting his experience, Al Souma said, “I have been playing matches all over and the visa process can be time consuming. Visa At Your Doorstep proved to be the best decision I could have taken for this process as I travel regularly – it not only enabled me to apply for my Schengen visa to France in comfort, but the team was professional, competent and consistently responsive to any questions I had.” “Throughout my Schengen visa application, VFS Global provided a personalised approach which suited my needs perfectly. The application that the French consulate received was very detailed and complete, which I feel was the reason why the whole experience was smooth and most importantly, brief,” he added.  

Apiso and Sabre Corporation announced a long-term partnership to increase virtual payments adoption in the travel industry across the Middle East region. The partnership, and resulting technical integration between Apiso and Sabre, will promote Apiso’s unique product offering as the preferred payment solution for Sabre Virtual Payments’ customers in the fast-growing Middle East. It will also enable Sabre to scale the volume of payment transactions processed through its global distribution system (GDS) and other technology solutions globally. “Sabre’s virtual payment technology and its extensive distribution reach coupled with Apiso’s advanced technical solutions and payment integration will enable us to jointly deliver compelling products to help regional and international travel companies to optimise their payments workflow, drive revenue and profitability,” said Andrew Sims, Director, Apiso. “We are excited about this partnership that will provide advanced, reliable, secured and flexible virtual payment solutions to the region.” Sabre Virtual Payments’ network of strategic banking partners enables it to effectively meet specific regional needs while providing a comprehensive global solution. “Sabre Virtual Payments continues to expand our strategic partnerships to ensure a comprehensive solution that optimises travel payments globally,” said Salman Syed, Vice President, Sabre EMEA. “Our partnership with Apiso helps us deploy Sabre Virtual Payments with flexible facilities such as multi-currency and multi-channel options, increase the value of our regional offerings in the Middle East and provide customers with a global payment solution that meets their specific payment needs.” Apiso works with back-end financial services providers that are members of the global payment schemes to automate the provision and administration of virtual cards for B2B supplier payments across multiple industry segments.

Travelport has announced the development of a blockchain solution to enhance the hotel commission reconciliation process. Working with IBM Services and BCD Travel, as well as a number of high-profile hotel chains, the blockchain technology solution aims to optimise hotel commission processing on a distributed ledger by managing reconciliation, tracking and accounting for commission payments owed from hotel chains for services purchased by travellers via booking agencies. Ross Vinograd, Senior Product Director, Travelport, said: “Blockchain technology applied to commission reconciliation has the potential to deliver real ROI to both a travel agency and the hotel. Traveller modifications at property, no shows, and complimentary room nights are just a few examples that drive commission discrepancies which in turn generate escalations, cost, and revenue loss. Our aim is to put the lifecycle of a booking on the blockchain and we believe doing so will drive transparency, trust, and ultimately booking volume.” Kurt Wedgwood, IBM Blockchain Leader-Travel, added: “Global distribution companies and providers would benefit from this use of blockchain technology to remove their never-ending work of reconciliation to spend that time adding new experiences and insights for the traveller. Eliminating the hours spent addressing dollars in dispute or the timeliness and accuracy of information allows all participants to focus on what matters most: the traveller.”