Starfish Travel Corporation Team

Four new seven-night sailings on the renowned Aqua Nera, with options for three- and four-night sailings, have been added by Aqua Expeditions for February 2024. The decision demonstrates the company’s dedication to providing excellent experiences to its discriminating visitors and comes in response to the growing demand for travel to Peru and the breathtaking Amazon rainforest. Aqua Expeditions has been exploring the incredible Peruvian Amazon for almost fifteen years, and in 2021 they added the cutting-edge Aqua Nera to their fleet to compliment the Aria Amazon. This year, Travel & Leisure awarded them the renowned title of “World’s Best River Cruise Line” in recognition of the popularity of their river cruises. It is our absolute pleasure to announce these additional Aqua Nera sailings in February, a month that sees the Amazon truly come to life with an abundance of opportunities for our guests to witness more unique wildlife than ever and partake in immersive cultural adventures and local festivities, said Francesco Galli Zugaro, the founder and CEO of Aqua Expeditions. Peru’s lovely month of February is highlighted by exuberant events like the Candeleria Festival and the Carnival of Cajamarca. These events provide the ideal complement to an unforgettable voyage on board Aqua Nera. With Aqua Nera, visitors may have an opulent and immersive adventure through the biodiverse Peruvian Amazon. Small-group tours are led by knowledgeable naturalist guides and provide visitors with up-close interactions with exotic species. Visitors can experience breathtaking Amazonian scenery, go on forest treks, and find undiscovered lakes and lagoons on the twice-daily trips. At Aqua Nera, guests can experience personalized luxury and top-notch cuisine made with ingredients sourced from the rainforest to the table. The world’s most biodiverse rainforest promises to be a unique and enlightening setting for this remarkable journey. Fresh Sails: from February 3 until February 10, February 10 to February 17 February 17 to February 24 from February 24 to March 2, Source- Travel daily

Lindblad Expeditions has partnered with Approach Guides, the top content optimization platform for travel brands, as part of its ongoing commitment to improve the brand’s capacity to serve its travel advisor partners, to develop dynamic multimedia content experiences that travel advisors can easily co-brand and share with their clients. Travel agents will be able to quickly create personalized content using pre-designed templates that give an immersive look into the distinctive character of the Lindblad Expeditions cruising experience by utilizing Approach Guides’ innovative technology, which will be integrated into the company’s Expedition 360SM portal. Lesa Bain, vice president of sales at Lindblad Expeditions, said: “By partnering with Approach Guides, our specialized travel advisers will now have a growing array of sales and marketing templates at their fingertips, which they can easily and rapidly modify and co-brand with Lindblad Expeditions. Travel agents will find it simpler than ever to inform their clients about Lindblad Expeditions’ more than 170 distinct itineraries spanning all seven continents thanks to tools and technology like these that are just a few clicks away on our Expedition 360 platform. “Travel advisors are clear about what they want from brand partners: simple, top-notch solutions that aid their advertising and sales initiatives while putting them in the spotlight. With its market-leading content experiences, Lindblad Expeditions is now providing just that. The co-founder and chief marketing officer of Approach Guides, Jennifer Raezer, expressed her joy at being able to contribute to making this a reality. Travel advisors can now quickly tailor critical touchpoints, including emails, social media, websites, and itineraries, to delight customers and increase conversion. This includes itinerary specifics, information about onboard experts, ship overviews, and journey types. Owner of luxury travel company Iantosca Travel Ralph Iantosca, CTA, LS, DS, commented on the new Approach Guides: “Last week, I sent a Lindblad Expeditions Alaska Approach Guide to a new referral. He was excited to learn of this experience, having previously only been exposed to mass-market huge ship-style cruise with thousands of guests on board. We may have two additional bookings as we work on a plan for Alaska in 2024. Should these two cabins fill up, the final sale will be 88% higher, or $32,000.00 instead of $17,000.00. I adore my new device. Travel advisors will soon be able to access the new Approach Guides through Expedition 360 and the travel adviser site of Lindblad Expeditions. Inspiring travel to Alaska, Antarctica, and the Galapagos will be the primary emphasis of the first content experiences, with the launch of more templates planned for the upcoming months. Source- Travel daily

Modern cruising provides guests with a laid-back setting in which to unwind and be themselves, but there are still some manners that tourists should observe to prevent being impolite or disrespectful. Beyond simple courtesy, breaching the laws controlling passenger behavior while on board has more significant repercussions. If a passenger fails to follow the captain’s or a crew member’s directions, they may be punished or, in the worst instance, ordered to leave the ship. Although everyone on a cruise wants to let their hair down, it’s crucial to remember common decency because every other passenger also wants to enjoy their vacation. These dos and don’ts of etiquette are crucial for anyone getting ready to take their first cruise and feeling a little uneasy about what to anticipate. They serve as a helpful reminder for seasoned travellers who are organizing another cruise vacation for this summer. In general, it’s crucial to be considerate of noise levels, on time for excursions and reservations, to follow deck rules, to adhere to the dress code, and to respect crew members. Additionally, you cannot reserve sun loungers and leave them unattended for a long time, nor can you split drink specials with others. Following these useful recommendations can assist first-time cruisers in navigating the waters with grace and civility. Cruise etiquette is all about fostering a peaceful environment for everyone on board. The staff at Panache Cruises has listed their top twelve etiquette recommendations to remember when traveling by cruise: Do not bypass the buffet line. Even though you might be famished and itching to head to the buffet, keep in mind that your other passengers are probably experiencing the same things, and your needs and wishes don’t take precedence over theirs. If you really can’t wait to chow down, wait patiently for your turn and make sure to eat a snack in between meals. When the crew is delivering announcements, keep quiet. When the captain or crew makes a statement, pause and pay attention since you and those nearby may lose out on critical information. Typically, the announcements are given to provide pertinent information on embarking in ports of call, weather, onboard activities, etc. Arrive on time to and from outings. The specified departure hours for shore excursions should be observed because if you are late, you risk being left behind. As late arrivals can disrupt the timetable and put other passengers through unnecessary delays, be sure to get back to the tour bus or ship as soon as possible. Please share the chairs. Nobody hates a chair hogger, so if you won’t be using the sun lounger for an extended period of time after claiming it, don’t block access to it by putting your items on the chair. Many cruise companies have implemented procedures to prevent individuals from hogging the chairs by removing their belongings after a predetermined length of time. Watch out for noise levels on the balcony and in the halls. Being noisy in the cabin halls is not a good idea, especially at night but also during the day when other passengers may be trying to unwind or put their children down for a nap. Do not engage in discussion or socializing until you are in your cabin or other communal spaces. Keep your drink package to yourself. The add-on drink packages are priced accordingly and are intended for solitary use. Sharing a package among several persons is therefore forbidden by cruise line rules and is punishable by fines. Keep nothing thrown into the water. One of the worst cruise protocol breaches is throwing things over the rail, and you can get in a lot of trouble for it. If you are discovered throwing anything overboard, including garbage or cigarettes, you will be subject to a significant financial penalty and may also be required to exit the ship at the following port. Beware, as CCTV cameras are always active! Just use the approved smoking places. You should never light a cigarette, cigar, or pipe outside of those areas, including on your stateroom balcony, which are designated smoking areas on all cruise lines. E-cigarettes are the same way. Your on board account will be charged a cleaning fee if you are discovered. Observe the dress code You don’t need to pack your finest gowns and tuxedos for a cruise vacation because the dress code guideline has become considerably more relaxed over the years. Despite this, it’s still important to dress correctly for the situation. For instance, while swimming suits, shorts, and flip-flops are appropriate at poolside buffets, they are not at specialist dining establishments. Do your research in advance as different cruise lines will have different requirements.   Be cordial with the crew. Respect the crew because they’re the ones working hard to make your vacation ideal every day. If you see them in the corridor, make sure to smile and say hello. If a problem should occur, be polite and respectful when raising it. When you go back to the buffet, get a fresh dish. Get a fresh plate, glass, or mug whenever you want to top off on food or drinks at the buffet so you won’t have to worry about washing dishes. Despite your misguided belief that fewer dirty dishes will benefit them, this practice is discouraged for hygiene reasons. Drink sensibly. If you have an alcoholic beverage package included in your price, it may be challenging to keep your alcohol consumption in check. However, just because you are allowed to consume as many drinks as you choose does not mean that you should. Avoid being a rowdy and annoying passenger as this will ruin the cruise for everyone else. It’s advisable to take advantage of everything else the trip has to offer rather than wasting your days recovering from a hangover. It’s vital to make sure you are knowledgeable about cruise etiquette before boarding the ship, according to James Cole, founder and managing director of Panache Cruises. It is vital to familiarize yourself with these laws

An eruption from nearby Mount Etna on Monday forced the suspension of flights to Catania in eastern Sicily, according to local authorities, adding yet another travel headache to the already troubled Italian airport. Overnight, the 3,330 meter (10,925 ft) high volcano erupted, spewing lava and ash high above the Mediterranean island. Before morning, the lava flow stopped, although one of the craters was still spewing ash. An airport operator statement dashed expectations that flights could resume on Monday night by announcing that they would be suspended until 6 a.m. (0400 GMT) on Tuesday morning. Catania is a well-known tourist destination. Before leaving for the airport on Tuesday, passengers were encouraged to check with the airlines. On Monday, incoming planes were rerouted to other Sicilian airports. In Italy, where Tuesday is a public holiday, the summer vacation period is at its height. Due to the many streets being blanketed in ash and the slushy conditions, Catania Mayor Enrico Trantino forbade the use of motorbikes and bicycles in the city for the following 48 hours. He also ordered automobiles to go no faster than 30 kph (19 mph). The most recent cancellations came a month after a fire at a terminal building caused weeks of inconvenience for travelers at Catania airport, which receives more arrivals than the island’s capital, Palermo. 1992 saw the final significant eruption of Etna. (Editing by Conor Humphries; reporting by Crispian Balmer and Keith Weir) Please note that this report was automatically created by the Reuters news agency. ThePrint disclaims all liability for its contents. Source- Theprint

The 2023 Hakka Expo will formally welcome all visitors to Taoyuan, Taiwan, from August 11 to October 15 under the banner of “Travel to Tomorrow.” By fostering a conversation between cutting-edge technology and the future, the Expo will highlight the variety of the Hakka people by utilizing its smart city elements. Different installation art pieces will be used in the Taiwan Pavilion and the World Pavilion to represent the cultural essence of the Hakka people.Each exhibition area will have a variety of acts on each weekend of the event. Throughout the event season, there will be numerous performances every weekend. In the eagerly awaited performance “Into the 1895 – The Story of Hakka,” dancers will combine their physical prowess and props with Hakka poetry and literature to engage with fire in order to create a poetic beauty between stillness and movement. At the Taoyuan Hakka Music Festival, pop artists and bands from different nations will also congregate, and the “Hakka Symphony” will perform stunning fusions of Eastern and Western instruments. You can enjoy a variety of hip-hop, mainstream music, and DJs with “So Young Taoyuan Is!” On the massive woven bamboo ring, visitors can collaborate with the artist by programming an AI system to produce their own artistic Hakka pieces. On the massive woven bamboo ring, visitors can collaborate with the artist by programming an AI system to produce their own artistic Hakka pieces. In addition to the outstanding performance, the Taiwan Pavilion, one of the primary exhibitions, features stunning artwork and engaging interactive installations that highlight the Hakka people’s culture, music, crafts, food, beliefs, and history throughout Taiwan’s 14 cities and counties. Through spectacular AI-generated art and projected visuals in a ring-shaped room, the World Pavilion also provides an intriguing look into the Hakkas’ settlement in 20 different countries. You can immerse yourself in the dramatic setting to gain a fresh understanding of Hakka’s existence. Don’t pass up the opportunity to speak with the endearing “Hakka AI robot” before leaving the space. The robot can converse in Hakka, and you can utilize games to piece together your own recollections of Hakka. Source – Travel daily

In order to revolutionize corporate travel management, Traxo, Inc.—the only provider of real-time corporate travel data capture—and Cornerstone Information Systems—a world authority on overseeing travel and expense operations—have teamed together.  Through this collaboration, Traxo’s unique ‘Filter’ technology will be made available to Cornerstone clients, which include TMCs, corporate travel departments, OTAs, and other travel intermediates. This will provide them unprecedented visibility into out-of-channel reservations. The collaboration offers a wider data set than can be obtained through conventional methods and empowers travel management teams to take action, making it genuinely synergistic. Traxo is the market leader in real-time off-channel booking data, according to Mitch Gross, Head of Growth at Cornerstone. Cornerstone is a pioneer in integrating travel data into operations and utilizing cutting-edge automation to improve both service and effectiveness. Working together gives Traxo’s data a purpose and broadens the variety of transactions Cornerstone may influence. The influence our customers can have on their clients is also very essential. One + one is much greater than three. We couldn’t pass up the chance to invest because we love the firm and our synergy so much. This feeling is echoed by Andres Fabris, founder and CEO of Traxo, who is enthusiastic about the partnership’s game-changing potential. Companies will have total insight into the places and times that their employees travel for the first time, and this actionable data will force a thorough reevaluation of how to find and bargain with international travel providers. Cornerstone’s strategic investment in Traxo is just the beginning of a deeper technical partnership between the two businesses; further information will be released soon. For additional information, stop by Traxo (booth 2609) or Cornerstone (booth 2131) at GBTA. Source – Travel daily

A commercial relationship between Kyte and AirGateway, a leader in flight booking technology, was just revealed. EasyJet, Europe’s top airline, now has offers on the AirGateway platform. Thanks to a direct connection made possible by Kyte, an authorized partner channel of the carrier that accelerates its API integrations, clients of Air Gateway may now access content from easyJet. EasyJet and Kyte have been partners for many years, and their joint goal is to increase the effectiveness of direct connections while using fewer resources for travel partners. With its standardized interface, Kyte hopes to address several problems with content and functionality restrictions that are frequently brought on by subpar integrations or web-scraping. The majority of AirGateway’s customers are travel management organizations (TMCs) who cater to business travelers. As a result, reliability, operational effectiveness, and full content coverage are given top priority. The whole range of easyJet tickets and packages, including seats and other goods and services, may now be accessed and booked by AirGateway users without interruption or inconsistent data thanks to Kyte. The CEO and co-founder of Kyte, Alice Ferrari, states: “The industry is increasingly making the switch to API delivery. However, the functionality and content quality cannot be compromised for the shift to be effective. Kyte carefully implements integrations to guarantee that customers have a flawless experience while making flight reservations through third parties. We are honored that AirGateway has chosen us as their partner to provide their clients with premium easyJet content. The CEO of AirGateway, Jorge Diaz, says, “We work hard to provide a very effective booking experience to our corporate travel agencies through our API and travel agent desktop, BookingPad. The 27+ major NDC airlines, Travelport GDS (EDIFACT), and consolidated content will all be available to our clients through this cooperation with Kyte, and we couldn’t be more thrilled about it. Source- Travel daily

A web chatbot driven by generative artificial intelligence (AI) has just been developed by The Ascott Limited (Ascott), a lodging business unit completely owned by CapitaLand Investment, to improve the travel planning and booking stages as part of the guest journey. The chatbot, named Cubby after the mascot of Ascott, is intended to act as a “travel buddy” for all visitors. Cubby is prepared to offer travel information, such as highlights of a trip, choices for lodging, must-see landmarks, ideas for shopping and adventurous activities, as well as the finest “Instagram-worthy” spots, to name a few. Built with Azure Services and Microsoft OpenAI, the ChatGPT-powered chatbot. In order to provide a better, more technologically advanced guest experience, Cubby also makes use of real-time data, utilizing Bing search, Azure Map (Nearby API), Azure Map (Weather API), and other Azure services, as well as data and insights obtained through Ascott’s global website DiscoverASR.com. This revolutionary endeavor, which is now in the test-bedding stage when learnings are still crucial, is a part of Ascott’s thoughtful adoption of AI-driven guest-centric technologies to support its rapid growth trajectory. Ascott’s Managing Director for Brand & Marketing, Tan Bee Leng, said: “With the trial launch of Cubby, where innovation meets warm and cuddly hospitality, Ascott takes its first step into the future of customised travel exploration. With the help of artificial intelligence (AI), Cubby can quickly analyze travel preferences, trends, and recommendations. It can do everything from propose hidden gems to create itineraries that are tailored to a user’s interests. Every encounter with Cubby is going to open up a world of almost endless possibilities in AI-driven trip planning as we travel with our valued visitors on this shared voyage of experimentation. Ascott is committed to fostering Cubby’s development and giving it the tools it needs to provide more interesting and personalized experiences with each contact. Making Use of New Technology to Create an AI-Powered Ascott Web Chatbot To begin with, Cubby will assist Ascott’s live chat representatives so that the representatives can concentrate on handling more complicated concerns that call for a deeper and more in-depth interaction with visitors. Cubby may create custom itineraries based on user input for visitors who prefer having a live-streaming AI travel companion. The itineraries can be altered and customized in accordance with the chosen destination(s), duration of stay, travel preferences, and other factors. Some of the additional information Cubby is able to impart includes travel suggestions, health and safety information, guidance on visa needs, trip budgets, and packing checklists. Among the various jobs Cubby has been taught to perform are supporting the booking step of the customer journey, suggesting lodging possibilities, and helping customers book their favorite homes via deep links within the website booking engine. Cubby said, immersed in the pervasive realm of technology: “Hello, dear travelers! Your friendly travel companion powered by OpenAI ChatGPT, my name is Cubby. I’m excited to be a part of Ascott’s foray into artificial intelligence, helping to organize your incredible vacations, create lasting itineraries, and even help you make hotel reservations. I’m still a young, inquisitive cub, discovering more and more about this amazing planet with every interaction we have. I pledge to put in additional effort each day to get better! So let’s set off on this expedition hand in hand and create lifelong memories! Let’s work together to design vacations that will make you smile like a jubilant teddy bear and warm your heart. Cubby, the Ascott Web Chatbot’s upcoming phase In its later stages, Cubby will become multichannel and seamlessly integrate with other applications for better convenience, anticipating changing guest expectations. Additionally, enhanced language capabilities will be added to guarantee that Cubby is prepared for regional use. With the help of this connection, Cubby will be able to answer to enquiries from guests quickly across all channels in their desired language and on their preferred platform. accelerated check-ins With ambitions for a global roll-out, Ascott is testing the usage of self-check-in kiosks in Singapore at a number of its hotels. These kiosks are outfitted with face recognition technology that makes use of computer vision AI. These kiosks analyze face features quickly and securely and compare them to passport photos. The procedure has been shortened to make checking in quicker for customers and to give the staff members working the front desk more opportunity to interact with visitors in more meaningful ways.  Improved Hotel Experience Building brand loyalty and improving stay experiences both depend heavily on customer input. Ascott intends to use natural language processing AI this year as part of its pipeline to do sophisticated sentiment analysis by understanding nuanced language. Prior to its global rollout, the tool will undergo test deployment in a few selected regions. This AI invention will produce precise and helpful ideas for every Ascott property to improve visitor pleasure and give the hospitality firm crucial information when constructing future properties. Developing its People’s Potential With the ability to automate repetitive chores, improve decision-making, and free up work time for more intuitive participation in higher-level initiatives, AI has become a more potent ally. It is essential that Ascott’s employees join it on this journey as it ramps up its technological initiatives and promotes even deeper levels of innovation. Plans are in place to make accredited training and courses available to upskill its employees so they may utilize the most recent technology to its fullest extent and operate more effectively. Tan continued, “Ascott recognizes the critical role of AI technology in defining the future of travel experiences, from computer vision to natural language processing. We were able to launch our ads more quickly because to the use of generative AI tools, and the creation of a chatbot increased the depth of our interaction with visitors. We have made a commitment to future-proof Ascott and establish a new paradigm of individualized engagement with our esteemed guests by providing our employees with knowledge and competence in AI. This commitment goes beyond simple financial investment. Empowering Ascott to learn,

The Dubai World Trade Center will host the eagerly anticipated CTW Global 2023 Conference Program from September 18 to September 20, 2023. The top exhibition event of the year, CTW Global is focused on enabling B2B businesses and B2G organizations. It promises to provide unrivaled insights and tactics that will help businesses flourish in the fast-paced services sector.  The VIP speaker lineup for CTW Global 2023 is remarkable, with each speaker being a renowned authority in their industry. Numerous eminent people, including Faseeh Elahi, a founding member of the World Metaverse Council, Marianna Bulbuc, CEO and Managing Partner of Bizmoiss Group, Katik Bhatt, Chief Operating Officer of Sharaf Retail, and Dr. Arshi Ayub Mohamed Zaveri, CEO and Senior Advisor to Royal Family Offices, are among them.  These professionals bring a remarkable depth of expertise and experience to the table as they come from the Finance & Banking, Digital Commerce, and Sustainable Innovation & Technology industries.  Diverse viewpoints from professionals in the field Leading specialists from a range of industry sectors will talk at the conference, each offering their own distinctive viewpoints on important Service topics. In-depth discussions on important subjects such Special Economic Zones, Professional & Business Services, Digital Commerce, Sustainable Innovations & Technology, Supply Chain & Logistics, Art & Culture/Entertainment, and Finance & Banking can be expected from attendees. Attendees will receive in-depth knowledge and practical techniques from these recognized individuals for success in the services sector.  Engaging Sessions Created to Encourage Growth The schedule for CTW Global 2023 has been carefully planned, and it includes a wide range of sessions that are intended to cover important issues in the services sector. Several of the fascinating sessions are as follows:  Developing the Trade and Collaboration of the Future  Infrastructure for Mobility in the Future  Opportunities and Challenges of the Digital Transformation in Free Zones  Sustainable E-commerce Practices: Juggling Environmental Impact and Profit 5. Exploring the Synergy of Blockchain, AI, and the Regulatory Framework in the UAE Immerse Yourself in Innovation and Learning The CTW Global 2023 Conference Program ensures stimulating debates on subject matters unique to the sector, training designed to improve critical business skills, and engaging seminars on cutting-edge ideas and best practices. Attendees may anticipate immersing themselves in a culture of learning and innovation where they will acquire the skills and information required to succeed in the rapidly changing services sector.  Unprecedented Opportunities for Networking Throughout the event, there will be numerous opportunities for networking, allowing attendees to build relationships with other professionals in the field, possible business partners, and powerful decision-makers. The platform provided by CTW Global 2023 allows you to create lasting connections that could influence the direction of your company.  Sign up right away for CTW Global 2023! CTW Global 2023 registration is now available! Visit our website at www.ctw.global to register or learn more about the event.  A famous exposition, CTW Global is committed to creating innovation, building meaningful relationships, and fostering growth within the services sector. In order to study the most recent trends and tactics influencing the future of the services sector, CTW Global brings together industry experts, top professionals, and enterprises. CTW Global is dedicated to offering top-notch material and networking opportunities.  Source – Travel daily