Starfish Travel Corporation Team

The percentage of Europeans who intend to travel between June and November 2023 fell by 4% from the previous year, although it still stands at a high 69%. With 45%, 56%, and 62% of respondents from Austria, Switzerland, and Germany, respectively, having vacation plans in the upcoming months, these three countries stand out as the most cautious tourists. The British (75%) and French (80%), on the other hand, are the most keen to travel during that time. Although a slowdown in the pent-up demand following COVID-19 can be used to explain the decline in travel intentions for Europe, the Monitoring Sentiment for Domestic and Intra-European Travel – Wave 16 study by the European Travel Commission (ETC) suggests that financial pressures are also having an impact on vacationers. President of ETC Miguel Sanz commented on the findings, saying: “Our most recent data demonstrates that concerns over inflation and personal budgets remain among European tourists. However, Europeans continue to be excited to travel in the coming months. Many people are looking for cheaper experiences, alternative travel options, or are thinking about travelling off-season to stretch their travel budgets. We advise places and companies to take advantage of these trends and help tourists travel off the main path and during the slower seasons. Europeans like off-season tourism and less expensive locations Nearly a quarter (24%) of European travellers are concerned about the 6% increase in trip prices overall, while 17% are anxious about the state of the economy and their personal circumstances. Europeans are changing their conduct both before and after arriving at their destination in order to deal with the rising cost of travel. 17% want to travel off-season to receive cheaper rates, and 14% want to go on vacation to places they think are more reasonably priced. In order to find the greatest value, 13% of European passengers hope to book their flights earlier than usual, and 12% intend to fly low-cost airlines. In the meantime, Europeans keep changing their in-destination behaviour to meet the available budgets: 17% will reduce their shopping spending, 15% will look for less costly eateries, and 15% will pick less expensive lodging options. Travellers from Europe are also concerned about the current conflict between Russia and Ukraine (12%), congested tourist spots (9%), booking and cancellation rules (9%), and potential severe weather conditions (8%). The vacation plans of Europeans are influenced by the pleasant weather and tempting discounts. Europe remains the first choice of respondents, with 59% planning to embark on a holiday within the region, while 12% aim to take a trip outside of Europe (up by 3% since 2022). Meanwhile, the popularity of domestic travel has dropped by 6%, with just 26% of travellers opting for a “staycation” in the next months. Spain remains the most popular destination for travellers, with 8% planning a vacation there, followed by France (7%), Italy (7%), Greece (5%) and Croatia (5%). Still, Mediterranean destinations have seen a 10% drop in visitors aiming to travel there from last year. On the contrary, destinations like the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Ireland, and Denmark are experiencing a surge in popularity. This can be attributed to travellers seeking out less crowded destinations, and milder temperatures. A resurgence of events and business travel Despite rising costs of living, European travellers are planning multiple trips, with 33% aiming to travel twice and 26% at least three times this summer and autumn. Another 30% of respondents are thinking of taking only one trip (4% lower than last year). In terms of duration, most European travellers (36%) are choosing to spend less than a week (four-six nights) in their destination, while 27% aim to stay seven-nine nights. Travelling to a destination for an event is rising in popularity, with 10% of European travellers planning to do this between June and November 2023, up from 4% in 2022. Additionally, there has been a 4% increase in business travel, with 9% of respondents intending to embark on a work-related trip. Despite a 6% decline from the same period in 2022, travelling for leisure remains the top choice for 68% of Europeans. Source- Travel daily

The Official Airline Partner of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Qatar Airways Group, has once again declared a solid financial performance in its annual report for 2022–2023 that was just published. The airline attributes its successful strategy, which was implemented during a remarkable year for the Group as FIFA’s Official Partner and Official Airline of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022TM, as well as its premium product, which is focused on delivering a world-class customer experience, and the dedication of its global workforce. During the fiscal year 2022–2023, Qatar Airways Group declared a net profit of QAR 4.4 billion (US$ 1.21 billion). QAR 76.3 billion ($21.0 billion) was the overall revenue growth, a 45 percent rise over the previous year. Passenger revenue climbed by 100% over the previous year on an increase in capacity of 31%, driven by yield increases of 9% and load factors of 80%, both records for the airline, leading to a steady growth in market share. 31.7 million passengers were carried by Qatar Airways, an increase of 71% from the previous year. Qatar Airways is well-positioned for the future thanks to its continuing focus on customer experience, loyalty, digitalization, and sustainability. The Qatar Airways reward programme Privilege Club also experienced considerable growth in a number of new local and international partnerships, an improved offering, and revenues bolstered by the use of Avios as its currency. In addition to the current list of top international companies, Privilege Club members can now access Qatar Airways Group using the Avios currency for payment in Qatar Duty Free, Discover Qatar, and Qatar Holidays. Throughout the 2022–2023 fiscal year, Qatar Airways Cargo remained the top air cargo carrier in the world, pushing forward with a strategic emphasis on growth, sustainability, and digitalization while continuing to support the continuity of international trade despite persistent market problems. At QAR 17.8 billion (US$ 4.9 billion), the Group produced a solid EBITDA Margin of 23%. EBITDA increased by QAR 110 million (US$ 30.2 million) over the prior year as a result of efficient, adaptable, and fit-for-purpose company operations in every sector. The growth of Qatar Airways’ passenger and cargo networks is reflected in its positive earnings, which also meet the airline’s objective to enhancing trade and customer loyalty through the delivery of superior products and strict cost management. The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022TM, the State of Qatar’s national airline, demonstrated to the world its quick responsiveness by carrying 1.4 million passengers to the wildly successful event on its network. In 2022–2023, the network of Qatar Airways expanded to more than 160 locations. Amritsar, India; Beijing, China; Denpasar, Indonesia; Geneva; London Gatwick; Luxor, Egypt; Nagpur, India; Perth; Qassim; Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina; Shanghai; Taif; and Windhoek, Namibia are among the thirteen destinations to which Qatar Airways has resumed service. Additionally, the airline added two new flights in 2022–2023 to Dusseldorf, Germany, and Santorini, Greece, giving its customers more options for travel and better connectivity. “I am pleased to announce that Qatar Airways Group has demonstrated another remarkable annual performance,” said Saad Bin Sharida Al-Kaabi, Minister of State for Energy and Chairman of Qatar Airways Group. The transport industry in Qatar serves as a symbol of the country’s global connectivity, bringing people together from all over the world and fostering stronger economic ties in the area. The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022TM was one of the best FIFA World Cups ever, and Qatar is happy to have welcomed supporters from all over the world. Qatar has established a record-breaking standard for tournament security and safety, making it a popular vacation spot for families. Source- Travel daily

Techsembly, a developer of hospitality e-commerce solutions, has been acquired by Sabre Corporation, a company that provides software and technology that supports the global travel industry. The deal’s financial details weren’t made public. With the help of Techsembly, international hotels may manage their many online property stores, merchandise, and logistics from a single, consolidated platform.  In addition to its marketplace, Techsembly is an industry leader in the sale and fulfilment of gift cards for hotels, providing extremely sophisticated and customizable options. According to Scott Wilson, president of Sabre Hospitality, “Sabre’s agreement with Techsembly reaffirms our position as a leading global hotel commerce and distribution platform in the hospitality industry.” “This acquisition not only enables us to come together and offer the most comprehensive and effective suite of integrated retailing solutions designed to meet the retailing needs of today’s modern hoteliers, but it also accelerates our product roadmap through Techsembly’s marketplace and gift card capabilities.” Today’s hoteliers have greater chances to generate revenue streams outside of the room, better differentiate their brand, and improve visitor happiness thanks to Sabre Hospitality’s SynXis Retail Studio, which allows them to retail an infinite number of goods and services with room reservations. Sabre will create a single destination that offers an unlimited number of product types at all stages of the guest journey by combining and integrating Techsembly’s e-commerce marketplace and gift card capabilities with SynXis Retail Studio. This will eliminate the need for hoteliers to manage multiple sites and provide a seamless guest experience while accelerating revenue. We created Techsembly with a strong focus on customer service, innovation, and providing outcomes that are backed by data to assist our customers generate money outside of the standard room sales. By joining Sabre, we will be able to serve more customers globally, deliver game-changing technology, and develop our business, according to Techsembly co-founder and CEO Amy Read. We are excited to bring our skilled staff and in-depth knowledge of luxury brands, international e-commerce technologies, the digital customer experience, pricing, and payments to Sabre Hospitality. As part of the deal, Techsembly’s outstanding developers and e-commerce specialists will join Sabre. Techsembly, a UK-based company with operations in Singapore and Hong Kong, has a significant presence in the luxury hotel market and a rising customer base. The long-term goal of Sabre Hospitality is to become the industry’s top global platform for hotel commerce and distribution. This goal is essential to achieving Sabre’s goal of becoming the top global travel technology platform. Source-Travel daily

 Its Biggest Month May saw over 76 events, including manufacturing, hospitality, health, business, industrial, and consumer events, take place at Australia’s largest convention and exposition venue, MCEC. Because MCEC employs almost 1,000 people and works with over 1,700 suppliers and companies to operate and deliver events, these events have a significant impact on Victoria. In Victoria, MCEC collaborates with more than 600 food and beverage retailers to source produce responsibly. Spineweek, which brought together 1,500 physicians and scientists from all over the world to promote scientific collaboration, marked the beginning of the month. Over three days, MCEC hosted FoodService Australia, the premier hospitality and food trade event. More than 8,000 business people came together to network, attend conferences, and participate in the “Chef of the Year” competition. Nearly 16,000 people from 29 different nations attended Australian Manufacturing Week to see the latest equipment, technologies, and ideas in the field of advanced manufacturing. Over 26,000 people came to the MCEC for the Good Food & Wine Show from all over the State to watch their favourite celebrity chefs prepare meals, take part in seminars, and taste Australian foods and wines. The Rotary foreign Convention, which brought over 14,000 foreign delegates to Melbourne and contributed more than $91 million to the local economy, was lastly hosted at MCEC at the end of May. With activations all around the city, this significant event completely filled the MCEC and Rod Laver Arena at Melbourne and Olympic Parks. With the assistance of the Victorian Government and Tourism Australia, the Melbourne Convention Bureau led the proposal for the event. These activities directly boost the local economy, leave a lasting impression on the neighbourhood, and enhance Melbourne’s standing as a major centre of knowledge and culture worldwide. The variety of activities held at MCEC all year round highlight the city’s alive and welcoming culture, drawing tourists from all over the world. Modern amenities and a dedication to sustainability make MCEC a top option for event planners seeking to have a good effect on both their attendees and the environment. Steve Dimopoulos, the minister of sports, tourism, and major events for Victoria, declared that “no one does events quite like Victoria.” Business events keep our hotels full, our restaurants busy, and our economy robust. “MCEC is a significant event location, and I commend the entire team for contributing to drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors to our state and bolstering local economies and employment.” “In the first full year of operation post-COVID, MCEC has seen an enthusiastic return to in-person events, demonstrating our ability to bounce back and provide exceptional experiences for our clients,” stated Natalie O’Brian, CEO of MCEC. Melbourne’s standing as a premier international events destination is strengthened by the robust industry demand. “We are proud to host major business events at MCEC that welcome industry leaders from a variety of different fields to connect, collaborate, and discuss critical issues, resulting in ground-breaking research and cutting-edge social policy,” says the organisation. Our professional team makes sure that every event is performed flawlessly, providing consumers with personalised experiences and making an impression on attendance. At MCEC, we look forward to continuing to host top-notch events. Source- Travel daily

With a massive campaign to fill 180 different posts with the brightest minds and talent from around the world, the Emirates Group is building the basis for its next significant growth phase. At both Emirates and dnata, the Group is seeking to hire only the best cabin crew, pilots, engineers, IT specialists, and customer care representatives. Despite difficult conditions in the global labour market, the Emirates Group finished its fiscal year on March 31 with more than 102,000 employees, having hired 17,160 people for a variety of positions throughout the course of the year. Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Emirates Group Oliver Grohmann stated: “The Emirates Group has established an amazing reputation as a top employer and a pioneer in the aviation industry. People strive to work and live in Dubai, one of the world’s safest, most cosmopolitan, and vibrant cities, as well as to be a part of the Group’s growth narrative and its objectives. For positions across the business, we received about 2.7 million applications during the most recent fiscal year. In order to shortlist, choose, and reply to candidates in the most effective manners possible, we use cutting-edge technologies like digital assessments, artificial intelligence, and other top-tier recruitment tools. The people who are most qualified for the many positions that will support and drive our future growth and expansion are individuals we are concentrating on hiring. The new recruitment drive for flight attendants and pilots coincides with one of Emirates’ most exciting periods in history: a year of record financial results and profit share, projected growth, network expansion, delivery of the new fleet of Airbus A350 and Boeing 777-X aircraft beginning in 2024, a booming travel industry, and an upbeat outlook in general. Cabin staff In order to provide customers with an unrivalled onboard experience, Emirates organises open days and invite-only events across six continents, visiting hundreds of cities all year long. The application procedure is meticulously planned to be finished in a single day, and candidates are contacted 48 hours after the assessment. After operating these events successfully in Budapest, Madrid, and Lisbon in June, Pilots Emirates is holding a series of open days to attract pilots across the UK and Ireland – Dublin, Manchester, London Gatwick, and London Stansted – in August. On July 19 at 1 PM Dubai time, there will be an online information session. Emirates’ pilots fly one of the world’s newest and most technologically advanced fleets of 260 all-wide-body Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft to 150 locations on six continents and over every type of terrain, including the North Pole. Over 900 new pilots have joined the airline’s three recruitment programmes since 2022: Direct Entry Captains, Accelerated Command, and First Officers. A330, A340, A350, and A380 fly-by-wire wide-body aircraft are suitable for captains with recent command experience. The A380 Direct Entry Captain is created for them. Accelerated Command: for seasoned Airbus Captains who currently fly regional routes in narrow-body aircraft. Those with multi-engine, multi-crew aviation expertise and a current Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) should serve as first officers. Engineers In July and August, Emirates Engineering is organising open houses in Australia, Canada, Brazil, South Africa, and the UK. Emirates is hiring 75 structural technicians in addition to over 400 positions in engineering support and aircraft maintenance engineering, with a fleet of 260 wide-body aircraft, the largest retrofit programme in aviation under way internally, and the 777-X and A350 soon to join. Source- Travel daily

The position of the modern tourism professional has undergone a significant transformation in an environment where travel is becoming more and more competitive—from the tour operator to the DMC and even the property owner. The amount of labour has multiplied rapidly as more and more travellers are returning to the roads and the air. At the same time, COVID-19’s chronic skills shortage in the tourism sector is still a problem, leading to a rise in the usage of travel agencies. Tourism workers today must balance the conflicting demands of discerning customers and a wealth of accessible information in the digital age. These customers desire prompt, effective, and honest service, much like what they would anticipate from online booking systems, because they have the same access to information. Online resources are helpful for getting quick information, but they frequently lack the personal touch. Customers are increasingly looking for this missing component, and they are getting it in the shape of the individualised guidance, assistance, and flexibility provided by tourism professionals. Qualities that are simply impossible for algorithms to imitate. Consequently, the tourism industry is facing a dilemma. They must not only fulfil their job requirements but also match the effectiveness of online booking platforms. However, it’s an interesting environment to be in for Craig Byren, managing director of ViaData, who has spent more than 15 years creating and building end-to-end business systems for the travel and tourism industry (including DMCs, tour operators, and travel brokers). The tourist sector is constantly changing, with outdated practises being replaced by creative fusions of technological innovation and human skill. Professionals in the tourism industry find themselves in a fight against time and efficiency as they deal with an increase in workload.  For smaller firms in particular, this can be difficult, adds Byren. The good news is that the race can be won by shrewdly utilising technology, though. Byren contends that rather than displace tourism experts, technology should empower them. While ensuring they maintain the vital human touch that distinguishes them from automated booking systems, it should make their tasks simpler, operations more efficient, and it should offer them useful insights. Travelyst, a piece of software from ViaData, is a nice illustration. According to Byren, “Travelyst’s technology is built to seamlessly integrate with the tourism company’s existing operations.” Everything is integrated, from client relationship management to itinerary creation. This enables tourism consultants to effectively manage their workload and offer their clients a customised service. The back-end processes are not the only ones affected by this technological integration. It also improves the areas of the business that interact with customers. An efficient communication process is facilitated by a thorough view of client inquiries, the capacity to record talks, and direct email integration. “By using integrated technological solutions, consultants can track leads more successfully and reply to customer inquiries more quickly. The goal is to cut down on administrative work so that consultants have more time to concentrate on creating memorable travel experiences, according to Byren. The benefits of technical development go beyond improved operational efficiency. Tourism industry executives can acquire important insights into their business activity with the inclusion of full reporting and dashboard features. Byren underlines the importance of these tools for helping people make decisions that are in line with the growth goal of the tourism industry. Source- Travel daily

A star-studded ceremony was held at Atlantis The Royal to officially open the luxury twin-tower waterfront property by UAE-based The Luxe Developers on Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah. The 206-unit development, which has a price tag of over AED1.5 billion, will have 18 floors and feature one, two, three, and four-bedroom apartments, six penthouses, and two luxurious sky villas. All units will have access to private pools and indoor and outdoor entertaining areas with unhindered views of the Arabian Gulf. Bollywood actor Vivek Oberoi and Dr. Aman Puri, the Counsel General of India, were among the attendees. Source-Travel daily

July 7, Pune (Maharashtra), India From starter credit cards to high-end foreign travel credit cards, Bajaj Markets, a division of Bajaj Finserv, offers credit cards for every requirement. Customers can access over 30 cards offered by reliable partners on this platform to satisfy their specific needs. Businesses frequently collaborate with hotels or airlines to give value-added perks related to travel expenditures, such as bonus miles, reward points for booking flights, travel insurance, and free lounge access. Additionally, the Indian government has worked to promote tourism and travel. It was recently revealed that international credit card purchases made abroad will not be covered by the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS). It will therefore not be subject to tax collected at source (TCS). Additionally, the government has extended the deadline for implementing increased TCS rates under LRS for international travel packages. For those who enjoy taking trips and vacations, this is good news because it significantly lowers their tax obligation. A travel credit card can come in quite handy for those who are organising a trip because it relieves the bother of carrying cash and dealing with difficult exchange rates. With special discounts, bonuses, and offers, it can also assist tourists receive more for their money spent abroad. The following credit cards are available on this platform and are sure to enhance the pleasure of both domestic and foreign travel: Card SBI ELITE The SBI Card ELITE is a multipurpose premium credit card with perks in a number of areas, including dining, entertainment, travel, and more. Additionally, it’s a fantastic choice for frequent flyers because it provides favourable exchange rates and up to 8 lounge visits per quarter. Key characteristics: 1.99% low foreign exchange rate for overseas transactions – Access to upscale domestic and international airport lounges – Receive a Trident Privilege Membership and an exclusive Club Vistara Membership. MMT Signature Credit Card from ICICI Bank The co-branded ICICI Bank MMT Signature Credit Card is a travel-first card that offers alluring onboarding benefits to let travellers enjoy more for free. Key characteristics: – Special MMT discounts, subscriptions, and gift cards worth Rs. 2,500 – Accelerated reward points for bookings of lodging and travel – Free access to airport and train lounges RBL Bank Binge SuperCard Bajaj Finance Another co-branded credit card that is intelligently created to assist travellers in saving while they spend is the Bajaj Finance RBL Bank Binge SuperCard. One can buy all of their travel necessities with this card at Bajaj Finance partner stores and receive special cashback incentives. Key characteristics: – Free access to domestic airport lounges – 12x bonus points on online purchases – 5% reward on down payments made at any partner shop of Bajaj Finance Source- the print

The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) urged community members to make sure their residences always adhere to safety regulations, especially before going on vacation or being gone for an extended period of time. To increase the effectiveness of power and water use and to reduce waste, DEWA advised its consumers to adhere to its suggestions and directives. The DEWA awareness campaign, “Make Smart Summer Choices Your Habit,” includes this. The “Away Mode” element of DEWA’s Smart Living project, which allows residential customers to track their water and power use when they’re not at home, needs to be activated, the company emphasised. Customers on DEWA’s website and smart app can enable this service through their accounts. Additionally, they can choose whether they want to activate email delivery of daily or weekly data. To prevent leaks and conserve resources, DEWA urges its customers to turn off lights, unhook electrical devices and electronics, use timers for any floodlights in gardens and fences, turn off the water supply, and hire a qualified technician to inspect water connections.DEWA emphasised the need of a qualified technician. In the event of internal building defects, a trustworthy list of technical service providers can be obtained through the DEWA Store on its smart app. Customers may also profit from the special savings offered by DEWA Store. Source- the print

The Antara Ganga Vilas will embark on shorter, 3–4 day cruises following its triumphant debut with the world’s longest river voyage. Antara Ganga Vilas has announced short 3–4-day cruises for the next September 2023 season following a successful launch with the world’s longest cruise excursion that travelled across 25 river systems, 5 states, and 2 countries. For travellers who want rich, engaging experiences without taking a long holiday, shorter departures are available. Customers can select from the educational sailing programmes offered by Antara Ganga Vilas, which will take them from Kolkata to Varanasi via historic locations like Murshidabad, Patna, and Buxar. Using a unique schedule, visitors may experience Varanasi’s old city from the comfort of the Ganga. A fantastic combination to see the landscape and river through Mr. Raj Singh’s eyes. In the spring of 2024, they have also announced shorter trips from Kolkata to Dhaka. The goal is for guests to only have to pack and unpack once while still gently immersing themselves into a variety of sensory experiences through the stories of various cultures, the joys of the stunning riverscapes, and unique Antara services along the way that capture the soul of the passing region. Raj Singh, the company’s founding chairman, states. We are also organising special interest charters that are centred on culture, gastronomy, or textiles, the speaker says. For instance, while cruising through Patna and the historic capital of Murshidabad, the Antara kitchen produces litti chokha, a really traditional cuisine from Bihar. It also engages with Sheherwali cultures. The designer and experience curator, Annapurna Garimella, expands on the custom services and offerings onboard by saying, “We provide the best facilities to our guests in rooms and on-board. A carefully curated selection of international and Indian films, music, and dance acts add to the excitement while 200 GSM towels and bedsheets, fresh ingredients from the banks, and other amenities from Forest Essentials provide visitors with the utmost level of comfort. We incorporate sustainability into the ship’s structural design as well, including dolphin deterrents, onboard sewage and water treatment facilities, and a ban on single-use plastics, to mention a few. These itineraries maintain the brand’s commitment to customised services, modern cruising on historic rivers, and embracing the slow-travel mindset to learn the ins and outs of the coastlines. Source– Travel daily