Category Archives: Agents

Travelport and Air India announced that they are accelerating the launch of NDC content and servicing for Travelport-connected agencies. Travelport is the leading distributor for Air India content globally, connecting the airline to its network of travel agencies around the world via the Travelport+ platform. Agencies using Travelport+ will be able to quickly and easily view and compare the airline’s NDC offers alongside traditional content in the fourth quarter of this year. “Globally, Travelport is the leading aggregator of Air India content for travel agencies,” said Damian Hickey, Global Head of Travel Partners at Travelport. “Our partnership is centered around our shared belief that agencies are an essential retailing channel to provide travelers with seamless, personalized experiences for every trip, even after booking. That is why Travelport’s end-to-end NDC solution will empower agencies to directly service Air India bookings, so they can manage changes across NDC and non-NDC content seamlessly.” Travelport’s latest enhancement to the Travelport+ platform, Content Curation Layer (CCL), simplifies the process of accessing retail-ready content and identifying the most relevant options from airlines like Air India. Travelport’s CCL uses artificial intelligence (AI) and machine-learning (ML) to filter through aggregated multi-source content to deliver accurate search results that are standardized, making offers easier to understand and compare. This ensures that agents can then book the best options for their travelers from any source of Air India’s content, based on their unique needs and preferences. “Travelport is one of our preferred technology providers,” said Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial and Transformation Officer at Air India. “Together, we are looking to deliver a solution that makes it easy for agents to access, sell, and service Air India’s content and offers through …

Speaking at a special interview with TravTalkME, Abdulla Yousuf – Director of International Operations DCT Abu Dhabi shared that their target for this year is to reach out to 25 new countries to showcase the many offerings of their destination. He further shared that CIS and Eastern European markets are the new emerging markets that they have seen increasing over the past few years and in terms of the APAC region India and China contribute almost 25% to the market. Going further they would be looking at increasing the number of hotel keys in the emirate and look at attracting visitors to spend more time in the emirate by partaking in various activities. He reiterated that in their various market surveys they have seen different requirements from them, hence they are working to identify these and make sure that they reach out to the correct partners.

Ajman Tourism Development Department (ATDD) unveiled a suite of new digital services aimed at enhancing and supporting the tourism sector in the emirate of Ajman during its participation at GITEX Global 2024. Among the highlights is the launch of the Department’s revamped website and updated digital services system, alongside the AI-powered ‘Plan Your Trip’ service. These innovative offerings reflect the department’s ongoing commitment to delivering smart and proactive government services that leverage the latest advancements in AI technology and data analytics. The aim is to assist visitors in planning tailored trips to Ajman, offering a flexible and personalised experience. The Department also seeks to enhance the experience of visitors, starting with the website and digital services system, and extending to the emirate’s rich tourism offerings. The newly launched ATDD website and digital services system offer a more interactive and user-friendly interface, designed to meet the highest government quality standards. The updated website features an AI-powered smart personal assistant that can handle customer inquiries, service procedures, requirements, and fees, in addition to tourist guidance services such as information about the emirate, tourist sites, museums, and activities. The new website’s smart personal assistant allows users to make direct calls to customers via audio, video, or screen sharing, allowing them to talk and share their screen with the customer happiness and service staff, catering to their requirements in record time without having to visit the department headquarters. Additionally, the website provides access to all government services and tourism information, such as reports, decrees, and resolutions, along with quick services and open data. ATDD launched the ‘Plan Your Trip’ platform, another innovation showcased at GITEX, which is fully AI-based and designed to help visitors customise …

RateHawk has introduced a rail travel booking service on its platform for its partners – travel agents, operators, and other industry professionals worldwide – can now book rail tickets across various European destinations. The platform has reached an agreement with Rail Europe, the global reference brand for European train booking. The new service complements the existing travel options already available on RateHawk, which include accommodation, flights, car rentals, and transfers. The launch of the rail service allows RateHawk’s partners to book all travel components within a single system. Rail tickets are available across 13 European countries including France, the Netherlands, Hungary, Poland, Belgium, Luxembourg, the UK, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Czech Republic, and Austria. Fredrik Bonnalt, Head of Non-Accommodation Supply at Emerging Travel Group, RateHawk’s parent company, commented: “Rail travel offers great opportunities for our partners’ businesses, enabling them to meet customer needs and attract new clients. Travel agents and professionals can now offer hotel stays with rail tickets, providing a sustainable travel option. Plus, the journey itself can be a memorable experience, with exciting routes available on RateHawk, including the stunning Bernina Express and Glacier Express trips.” “The launch of our rail product coincides with the start of the autumn business season, and we expect strong demand from Travel Management Companies (TMCs) booking business trips for their clients. Rail transportation is widely recognized as the most environmentally friendly option, and with many companies prioritizing carbon footprint reduction and incorporating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives into their corporate travel programs, our TMC partners can greatly benefit from this new booking service,” added Fredrik Bonnalt. An advantage of the new launch is its intuitive and convenient interface, which allows travel …

The first ever promotion of Sri Lankan Indigenous medical system, `Hela Wedakama` treatment was launched in United Arab Emirates by the leading Sri Lankan traditional Ayurveda company, Siddhalepa Ayurveda at Novotel Hotel, World Trade Center, Dubai. The launch was initiated by Siddhalepa Ayurveda Health Resort as the kick-off session of the awareness campaign of targeted the GCC region. A special promotional campaign is expected its widest reach with the assistance of Sri Lankan Airlines , the travel trade and travel media of the GCC region. The expectation of present international visitor has been expanded beyond the typical holidays and the travelling for medical purpose has become a boom at present. Thus, this initiative entails enormous `healthy` results for the medical-traveller who is exploring on alternative medical treatments. The main presentation of the session was conducted by Ayurveda Ratna, Mr. Asoka Hettigoda the Chairman and Managing Director of Siddhalepa Ayurveda Health Resort (As well as Hettigoda Group of Companies). Mr. Hettigoda explained how Siddhalepa grew from the grass-root level and entered the Switzerland first in 19….. Further, he added presently Siddhalepa has attracted visitors from various parts of the world while exporting its authentic Ayurveda products to more than 40 countries. Siddhalepa Ayurveda Health Resort aided by Siddhalepa Hospital is patronized by the visitors presently not only for their relaxation treatment but also medicament for various body abnormalities. The launch was well attended by about 45 persons comprising Arabian travel trade members and media based on the region. The Arabic travel trade members commended that they are happy to hear about the efforts to promote medical tourism by Siddhalepa this way effectively. Several travel companies added that Sri Lanka should continue …

At a special interview with TravelTV Middle East Amir Golbarg Senior VP Operations MEA Region Minor Hotels shared that the travel trade partners are of paramount importance as they build destinations when opening hotels. “travel trade is of paramount importance to us and we like to be destination builders. We like to create and add new destinations onto the map, and that’s one thing we work very closely in terms of, in particular with our Anantara brand, which is all about being indigenous sustainable luxury. And when you go in and you want to penetrate and create a new destination on the map, you’ve got to work with the travel trade. You’ve got to work with the local governments and the entities. And for us, you know, it’s the whole geosystem of travel coming together. We are an anchor and an establisher that’s going to create the demand. But the demand needs to be known, and to be able to get that voice heard, that’s where the travel trade is key. And you need to bring the entire geosystem together, and one without the other cannot function. So for us, travel trade as a whole has many components that many, unfortunately, look at it in silos. And I think in today’s world, we’ve gone from global back to local. And when you go back to local, then you need to look at who do you need to work with domestically to build the destinations up or to rebuild the perception of the destinations. So for us, that’s a key component, and travel trade plays a significant role in us building destinations.”

As travelers from the GCC seek new and extraordinary vacation destinations, Jamaica stands out as a haven of luxury, privacy, and unforgettable experiences. Known for its breathtaking natural beauty, pristine beaches, and warm hospitality, Jamaica is the ultimate Caribbean destination for discerning travelers. From high-end resorts offering world-class amenities to exclusive cultural and historical experiences, Jamaica invites GCC travelers to discover a new level of luxury in the heart of the Caribbean. Luxury Stays in Jamaica For those seeking the pinnacle of exclusivity and comfort, Jamaica offers a selection of premier resorts tailored for luxury travelers: Round Hill Hotel and Villas is nestled along the coastline in Montego Bay and boasts of private villas with personal pools, beachfront views, and dedicated concierge service. With a history of hosting international celebrities, Round Hill combines understated elegance with modern luxury. Zoëtry Montego Bay is a tranquil sanctuary renowned for its holistic approach to luxury. This boutique resort offers a blend of modern wellness with timeless elegance, featuring private suites with plunge pools, gourmet dining, and rejuvenating spa experiences. With its beachfront setting and commitment to wellness, Zoetry provides a haven for travelers seeking relaxation in an opulent environment. Half Moon, Jamaica’s highest rated resort spans across 400 acres and offers unparalleled luxury with its beachfront suites, private villas, and championship gol f course. Guests can indulge in spa treatments at the award-winning Fern Tree Spa, take part in a variety of water sports, or simply enjoy the serene beauty of the Caribbean Sea. Unforgettable Cultural Experiences Beyond the luxurious accommodations, Jamaica is a place where travelers get the unique vibe and heritage that the island has to offer: Luxury travelers to Jamaica …

dnata Travel has reported a 21% increase in the average booking value for in-store services in 2024 compared to the previous year. Walk-in services at its 13 retail outlets across the UAE remain the most popular way for residents to book travel, driven by a rise in demand for more complex itineraries. This summer, multi-location trips across Europe were particularly popular, combining train and self-drive travel. France, Italy and Switzerland were frequently included in these itineraries, which featured multiple stops across one or several countries. Tailor-made itineraries in Asia also gained traction throughout the year, with bookings typically including multiple stops within a single country. Hotspots across Thailand and Sri Lanka are especially sought after, with a notable spike in demand for Vietnam compared to previous years. Cruise itineraries, offering multiple stops across different countries, are also seeing steady growth, with dnata Travel anticipating even higher demand as the GCC cruise season approaches this winter. Meerah Ketait, Head of Retail and Leisure UAE at dnata Travel, commented: “Multi-destination itineraries are trending, as travellers look to experience the best of a region or country in one extended trip. “Many of our customers prefer to book these complex journeys in-store, where our travel experts can provide personalised advice on destinations, hotels and the latest offers. We offer a one-stop solution, where travellers can book everything from flights and hotels to car rentals, tours and insurance. “One of the highest value in-store bookings in 2024 was a summer trip across France, taking in Paris and Cannes, then on to Monaco. Our travel experts arranged the flights, accommodation, private transport and guided tours, all with a fashion theme, in one sitting. This luxurious itinerary featured …

Travelport announced it has signed a multi-year renewal agreement with Delta Air Lines, including NDC content. The top U.S. airline is collaborating with Travelport on the integration of its NDC solution into Travelport+ to support Delta’s selling and servicing transformation. “We value our long-term partnership with Travelport and are pleased to extend our full content agreement, as well as make Delta’s NDC technology solution available to all of Travelport’s agency customers,” said Jeff Lobl, Managing Director, Distribution Strategy and Agency Sales Programs at Delta Air Lines. “Together, we aim to create value by ensuring customers are presented with the best options to fit their needs for a better, more personalized shopping experience.” To help agencies solve challenges with comparing NDC offers alongside traditional content, Travelport recently debuted its Content Curation Layer (CCL). Travelport’s CCL uses artificial intelligence (AI) and machine-learning (ML) to sift through aggregated, multi-source content and return the right range of accurate, highly intuitive search results that are normalized and easier for agents and travelers to understand. CCL is the latest enhancement to the Travelport+ platform, simplifying the delivery of retail-ready content from partners like Delta and presenting tailored options to agency customers and the end-traveler. “Our renewed agreement with Delta underscores our shared commitment to modernizing travel retail for agents and travelers with a seamless, personalized shopping and servicing experience,” said Damian Hickey, Global Head of Travel Partners at Travelport. “As we prepare for the future delivery of Delta’s NDC content, our ability to deliver multi-source content in a retail-ready way ensures that agents and travelers will be able to easily shop and compare all of Delta’s product offerings in one place.”

Sabre Corporation and Virgin Australia announced a strategic partnership to modernize the airline’s retailing capabilities through the phased implementation of SabreMosaic, the revolutionary AI-driven platform built to transform airline retailing. This establishes Virgin Australia as the flagship customer and will enable the airline over time to adopt the broad suite of solutions within SabreMosaic, marking a significant milestone in the airline’s journey towards modern retailing and the general market availability of the SabreMosaic solutions. The collaboration underscores the companies’ commitment to innovation and industry leadership, as well as the airline’s aim to be an early mover in the industry transition to offer-and-order based modern retailing. “Building on our decades-long partnership, Sabre is proud to collaborate with Virgin Australia as our launch partner for SabreMosaic, which is our revolutionary platform designed to transform airline retailing,” said Roshan Mendis, Chief Commercial Officer, Sabre Travel Solutions. “We aim to empower Virgin Australia to deliver a personalized, dynamic travel experience that will set a new standard in the industry. This collaboration marks the beginning of a new era, as SabreMosaic is now available to airlines worldwide.” Virgin Australia’s path to modern retailing “We are excited to partner with Sabre to lead the industry in modern airline retailing,” said David Hogarth, Chief Information Officer of Virgin Australia. “This partnership supports our mission of being Australia’s most loved airline by offering our customers choice and a wonderful guest experience. The SabreMosaic platform will over time enable us to optimize our offers, enhance guest interactions, and build a competitive advantage in the market.” Sabre designed the SabreMosaic platform and related solutions with a modular approach, giving Virgin Australia the ability to easily operate in a hybrid environment …