Starfish Travel Corporation Team

Airlines will have access to AWS Clean Rooms through ATPCO so they can collaborate and analyse their combined datasets without having to develop time-consuming solutions. Airlines require additional data to supplement the current intelligence used to create fares and offers in order to enable the creation of dynamic offers at scale. Without disclosing their underlying raw data to one another, ATPCO and the cooperating airlines will be able to analyse their collective shopping insights using AWS Clean Rooms to produce the most pertinent offers, enhancing the customer experience. More than any other company, ATPCO has access to the world’s most complete collection of airline data. Although many businesses have access to web-scraped insights, those don’t tell the full travel story; instead, reliable data and cutting-edge technology are required to generate additional value for all parties. In order to generate insights and innovate more quickly, AWS Clean Rooms enables the collaboration of approved airline, ATPCO fare, and fare-related data. The first step to generating novel insights using the privacy-enhanced collaboration capabilities of AWS Clean Rooms to help accelerate change in the airline pricing landscape has been approved by ATPCO’s 11 board airlines. According to ATPCO President and CEO Alex Zoghlin, “as the neutral industry platform, ATPCO is in a unique position to truly light the path for airlines to further explore dynamically created offers.” We are investigating the opportunities that the privacy-enhanced capabilities of AWS Clean Rooms provides, in order to generate rich pricing insights, as many airlines already provide their shopping data, including dynamically generated pricing. Travellers are seeking more individualised and customised offers than ever, and ATPCO customers’ ability to use this AWS service is a crucial first step in making this a reality. Airlines that are interested in learning more about using ATPCO’s Clean Rooms, which are powered by AWS, should get in touch with ATPCO.Source- Travel daily

The airline Eurowings has decided to significantly expand its so-called “Sneaker Flydays” after a successful test phase. The German airline now allows its pilots and flight attendants to dress in white Puma trainers with the Eurowings logo every Friday during the summer. By doing this, the Lufthansa Group company, which operates the airline, not only satisfies the desire of its own employees for a sporty travelling companion, but also offers fashionable eye-catchers on board and on the ground. A resounding majority of the more than 3,000 crew members who participated in an internal poll in favour of wearing sports shoes on board and on the ground more frequently. More than 700 comments were analysed, and the results showed that people think Puma’s trainers are comfortable and cutting edge. Several passengers have also left very favourable feedback, and it frequently appears in social media. Following analysis of the survey, Eurowings has made the decision to make every Friday going forward a “Sneaker Flyday” in order to better reflect the spirit of “Casual Friday” and significantly increase the number of Sneaker Flydays from a monthly basis. No shoes, whether worn on a business trip or a vacation, combine the business and casual lifestyles like trainers, according to Jens Bischof, CEO of Eurowings. The athletic attire also draws attention to our brand as “Europe’s Value Airline,” with which we hope to differentiate ourselves from competing low-cost carriers.Source– Travel daily

‘SKY CONNECTION – VIETNAM 2023’ was hosted by Thai Vietjet and Viet Nam Tourism Exchange (VNTE) on July 21, 2023, at the S31 Sukhumvit Hotel in Bangkok, under the patronage of H.E. Phan Chi Thanh, the Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand. The event aimed to strengthen ties between Thailand and Vietnam and to support the recovery of the global travel industry. In order to connect with potential business partners in the tourism and hospitality sector, introduce new products and services, exchange business information, set up business meetings, and form new partnerships in order to expand together and support the tourism industries of both Thailand and Vietnam, the “SKY CONNECTIONS – VIETNAM 2023” initiative was launched. “After the success of our initiative in 2022, we are excited to present ‘SKY CONNECTION – VIETNAM 2023′ once more. This year, we give companies in the travel and hospitality industries in Thailand and Vietnam the chance to further connect and compete with one another, working together to develop and improve the two nations’ tourism. Woranate Laprabang, the CEO of Thai Vietjet, said, “We are extremely proud to actively participate in those valued industry activities. Over 200 attendees had the chance to learn about the Vietnam tourism industry while visiting a number of popular tourist destinations, such as Phu Quoc, Da Nang, and Hue. They also saw presentations from a number of tourism operators in Thailand and Vietnam, such as theme parks, travel agencies, tour operators, resorts, and hotels. Additionally, during the B2B sessions of the event, participants had the chance to win free airline tickets from Thai Vietjet and hotel vouchers in lucky draws. Thai Vietjet, which was founded in 2014, has been working with the Vietjet Group to expand its flight network and give tourists more chances to explore Thailand and many other countries with its friendly and enjoyable service.Source– Travel daily

Over two million British vacationers are expected to travel abroad for summer vacation this weekend (21–24 July), which marks the beginning of the break for most schools in England and Wales. The busiest day of the weekend is anticipated to be July 22, according to ABTA, the travel association. The Balearic, Canary, and Costa del Sol islands of Spain continue to be the most popular family vacation spots, but ABTA members are also reporting strong demand for Bulgaria, Portugal, Turkey, Morocco, and Greece. With hundreds of thousands of passengers expected to depart from Heathrow, Gatwick, 199,000 from Stansted, and 116,000 from Luton, airports in the south east are anticipating a very busy weekend. Despite the fact that Scottish schools are well into their summer vacations, over 100,000 people are expected to fly out of Scottish airports this weekend, including 200,000 from Manchester and 71,000 from Bristol. Over the weekend, there will be a tonne of traffic at the channel tunnel, other local airports, and ports. Thousands of families will be departing this weekend as the majority of UK schools begin their summer break, according to Mark Tanzer, chief executive of ABTA. Many of these will be travelling abroad for the first time this summer since the pandemic, returning to familiar places, and will have an amazing experience in store. “If you’re travelling to a region with unusually high temperatures, we advise you to take reasonable precautions to ensure your safety. additionally exercising extra caution when in the water and on balconies. On our website, abta.com, we provide traveller advice to ensure a safe trip.Source– Travel daily

The second quarter’s profit for Icelandair was USD 13.7 million, the highest since 2016. EBIT of 20.9 million dollars, up 19.6 million dollars from the previous year.EBIT ratio of 5%, up 4.7 percentage points over time.Profit of $13.7 million versus $3.8 million in the same quarter last year.Records-breaking operating income of USD 414.2 million, up 26% annuallyRecord Q2 unit revenue (RASK) of 8.6 US cents, up 8% compared to the same period last yearStrong protability is the result of leasing revenue increasing 41% year over year.2 million passengers were carried, representing a 17% year-over-year increase in capacity and a 19% increase over Q2 of last year.83.6% load factor and particularly high demand on North American routes The highest ever liquidity position of USD 521.2 million is the result of strong operating cash flow. Forward bookings are strong and higher than last year for the upcoming six months.President and CEO Bogi Nils Bogason stated: “We are proud to deliver the strongest results in the second quarter since 2016 thanks to the outstanding work of our employees. Record passenger revenue, a historically high load factor, and improved yields in all of our markets all contributed to the prot of USD 13.7 million. Lower fuel expenses brought about by the Boeing 737 MAX’s efficiency as well as lower fuel prices improved the outcomes. Additionally, our leasing business maintained its strong performance and predictability. In order to maintain the reliability of our aggressive ight schedule, we leased additional aircraft in June due to delays in maintenance projects and the implementation of new aircraft. One-time expenses as a result had a negative effect on the Q2 results. Our cargo operation continued to be difficult, but we firmly believe that with our intense focus on regaining stability, we will be able to turn it around within the coming months. In light of this, the Q2 results show solid underlying financial performance and provide us with great confidence for the future. All things considered, the first half of the year has been busy as we have prepared for our busiest ight schedule to date in terms of the quantity of destinations and frequency of ights. We added two new locations, put six new aircraft into service, transported 1.8 million people, and hired and trained nearly 1,200 people. With ongoing strong bookings, particularly from North America, the outlook for the second half of the year remains positive. There has been a high demand for flights to and from Iceland over the recent months. Additionally, Keavik Airport’s capacity has grown significantly, 20% above pre-Covid levels this summer and even further into the following winter. In some markets, revenue growth and yields are anticipated to be impacted by this development in the second half of the year. However, thanks to our excellent team of employees, valuable infrastructure, and strong liquidity, we are well-equipped to adapt to market conditions at any time. We continue to anticipate a full-year EBIT margin in the 4-6% range and therefore anticipate delivering net profit in 2023.Source–Travel biz

Global airport services aggregator DreamFolks and Plaza Premium Group, a provider of airport hospitality with the largest network of independent airport lounges in the world, have announced a partnership to add more than 340 Plaza Premium Lounges in more than 70 major international airports to the DreamFolks global lounge network, starting today. This will improve the travel experience for its members all over the world. In four continents, including major travel hubs like Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Florida, Brazil, Italy, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and more, Plaza Premium Lounges will be extensively covered thanks to this collaboration. The number of DreamFolks’ global touchpoints will rise to an impressive 1700+ with the addition of Plaza Premium Lounges. This expanded network will provide members with unmatched access to premium lounges in popular travel locations around the world, ensuring a smooth and relaxing travel experience. Dreamfolks Services Ltd. Chairperson and MD Liberatha Kallat stated, “We are thrilled to work with Plaza Premium Group and expand our global lounge network. The impressive geographic reach that Plaza Premium Lounges provides is something we are proud to highlight across newer lounges and various locations. The strategic partnership represents a crucial step in improving everyone’s experience travelling abroad. Travellers can anticipate experiencing unrivalled comfort and hospitality at important travel hubs around the world thanks to expanded lounge coverage and access to a vast network of touchpoints. Plaza Premium Group’s Deputy-CEO, Bora Isbulan, stated, “We are pleased to work with DreamFolks. Due to the fact that India is one of the largest and fastest-growing outbound markets in Asia, this strategic partnership allows PPG to further its mission to improve travel by providing travellers with distinctive airport hospitality solutions that cater to their changing needs. Given India’s sizable population, rising purchasing power, and rapidly expanding outbound travel market, our goal is to make the airport experience a part of the journey you look forward to in India. We also believe that the airport hospitality space presents a significant opportunity for growth. Through this partnership, we can more successfully introduce new goods and services to the Indian market by utilising DreamFolks’ broad exposure and in-depth knowledge of the country’s travel industry and consumers, as well as PPG’s robust global network and expertise in airport hospitality.Source– Travel biz

In the city of Limassol, which is well-known for its tourism and business activities, Cisalpina Tours has built an official office. The inaugural event was held on board the cruise ship MSC Musica, and about 150 people from various organisations, partners, and management staff were present. This occasion gave people a chance to talk about the Bluvacanze Group’s foreign investments and the MSC Group’s competence, particularly in the areas of cruises, tourism, events, and business travel. The Bluvacanze Group has expanded five times since December 2022 as part of their steady and quick global expansion, with the opening of their office in Cyprus being the latest. Upcoming expansions will concentrate on European capitals through the end of 2023, and then this phase will come to a close with the development of a presence in Durban, South Africa. In the business travel sector, particularly within the marine industry, Domenico Pellegri Prabhat Jha, CEO of MSC Shipmanagement Limited, emphasised the significance of significant experience and reliable connections. He emphasised how MSC’s considerable presence in Cyprus will help local businesses create synergies and take advantage of rare opportunities. The MSC Group’s established presence in Cyprus, according to Domenico Pellegrino, CEO of the Bluvacanze Group, paves the way for the growth of their business travel division, which will target clients in the marine industry. The managing director of Cisalpina Tours Cyprus, Vaso Nikola Leonidou, expressed confidence in the knowledge and professionalism of his team, saying that it will truly provide value for customers. Source- Travel daily  

Greater Bay Airlines, the newest airline based in Hong Kong, and Sabre Corporation, a software and technology company that supports the worldwide travel industry, have announced a new distribution arrangement. Greater Bay Airlines will have access to Sabre’s extensive network of travel agencies, online travel agencies, and businesses thanks to the integration of the Global Distribution System (GDS) from Sabre. This will enable the airline to reach a larger audience and maximise distribution reach. The new agreement bolsters Sabre’s position in the Hong Kong travel industry while allowing Greater Bay Airlines to disseminate its flights and services quickly and efficiently around the globe. Travel agents worldwide who are connected to Sabre will have access to more airline material, enabling them to design the best deals and experiences for their leisure and business clients.  Gloria Slethaug, General Manager, Marketing and Sales, Greater Bay Airlines, said: “After launching our scheduled services in July 2022, we’re now focusing on expanding our regional network from Hong Kong to destinations like Tokyo, Osaka, Seoul, Taipei, Bangkok, and Ho Chi Minh City, while providing our customers with best-in-class travel experiences. In order to improve our distribution capabilities to travel agents and their clients around the world as we go on with our expansion objectives, it was crucial that we select the proper technology partner. Greater Bay Airlines wants to play a bigger part in Hong Kong’s burgeoning tourism industry as the city works to draw more foreign tourists and business travellers. The airline launched regular service from Hong Kong to Ho Chi Minh City recently, adding a sixth destination to its network after operating its first route to Bangkok last summer. Greater Bay Airlines anticipates adding more international services in the upcoming years as a result of efforts to grow its fleet. Rakesh Narayanan, Vice President, Regional General Manager, Asia Pacific, Travel Solutions, Airline Sales, Sabre Corporation, said: “We’re happy to welcome Greater Bay Airlines to our growing network of airline clients. “To efficiently reach international travellers while focusing on growing company operations, the airline must have access to a strong distribution network. Now that Sabre technology is being used, we anticipate seeing additional Greater Bay Airlines aircraft take to the sky. Source- Travel daily

This July, Qatar Airways launched a new direct flight between Doha, Qatar, and Toulouse, France, marking the airline’s most recent efforts to broaden its network in that country. After the airline’s recent additions of Nice and Lyon, the much awaited debut flight becomes the fourth destination in France. French treats and music were served to passengers at the Hamad International Airport’s (DOH) departure gate. Akbar Al Baker, the CEO of Qatar Airways Group, and His Excellency Mr. Jean-Baptiste Faivre, the ambassador of France to the State of Qatar, were among the distinguished passengers on board the inaugural flight, QR047. The flight was welcomed by Mr. Philippe Crébassa, Chairman of the Board of the Toulouse-Blagnac Airport, and His Excellency Sheikh Ali bin Jassem Al Thani, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to France. With 24 Business Class seats and 236 Economy Class seats, the Airbus A330-200 is used to conduct the new direct service to Toulouse. To mark the new route, the maiden flight gave all of its passengers a box of the exquisite Pierre Hermé macarons as well as other gifts at both the departure and arrival gates. French cuisine is synonymous with perfection. Akbar Al Baker, the CEO of Qatar Airways Group, and Philippe Crébassa, the chairman of the board of Toulouse-Blagnac Airport, held a press conference to announce the expansion of the national airline of the State of Qatar into the French market as well as upcoming cooperative opportunities between the two exciting cities. “Qatar Airways’ expanded footprint into France will serve to strengthen the trade, tourism, and commercial links between our two countries and, of course, set the stage for future opportunities,” said Akbar Al Baker, Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Airways Group. In terms of destinations, our new routes to Toulouse, Nice, and Lyon strengthen Qatar Airways’ status as one of the top carriers in France. Philippe Crébassa, chairman of the board at Toulouse-Blagnac Airport, declared: “Toulouse-Blagnac Airport is happy to announce the start of this route to Doha today. We are thrilled that one of the top airlines in the world, Qatar Airways, has selected Toulouse to hasten its development. There is now a direct connection from the south-west of France to the Middle East. “Our French and foreign customers will benefit from easier access to links with Asia, Africa, and Oceania thanks to the Doha hub. Additionally, this opening opens up new possibilities for Toulouse-based international air freight transport.I want to express my gratitude to all the organisations in Toulouse and the Occitanie area that have supported economic development and tourism marketing. Another French site that is a must-see is the energetic city of Toulouse. This city’s more than 2,000-year history includes several musical and artistic traditions, making it a vibrant and exciting place to visit. Nature, art, history, sports, and most importantly, its distinctive architecture, can all be explored by tourists. Source- Travel daily

Industries, returns with a bang this September with an energising full-day forum headlined by one of the region’s most inspirational leaders: KP Ho, the founder of Banyan Tree Group and pioneer of Laguna Phuket. PHIST 6 will also feature industry pioneer Bill Bensely.  Bill Bensley, a local activist, artist, and “maximalist” hotel designer, will perform with him as part of a double bill. PHIST organiser Bill Barnett will interview Bensley. David Johnson of Delivering Asia Communications will speak with KP Ho. PHIST 6, which is being organised by the Phuket Hotels Association, C9 Hotelworks, and Greenview, will take place on September 4th, 2023, at SAii Laguna Phuket, where it is anticipated that 1,000 travel and hospitality professionals from all over Asia Pacific will attend. Before it became a catchphrase, KP Ho, a journalist who later became a hotelier, recognised the fundamental relevance of sustainability. Banyan Tree’s founder played a key role in Laguna Phuket’s transformation from a desolate moonscape of scarred land that had been abandoned by the tin mining industry and declared unusable into Southeast Asia’s top integrated resort development.  This paved the way for the 1994 opening of the first opulent, environmentally conscious Banyan Tree resort, which included the first pool villas ever built. The business has since grown to include over 100 hotels and resorts, either open for business or in the planning stages. Additionally, the Banyan Tree Global Foundation was established to aid with community growth and conservation. Bill Bensley has constructed several of the best hotels in Asia over the past 30 years, garnering a tiny collection of prestigious medals and accolades for the extreme reverence shown for their surroundings and purposeful nature. Similar to KP, he will only share his life’s journey and philosophy with 100 people per session. The first person who registers gets a spot, first come, first served. Source- Travel daily