Travel News

The Group will further improve its operating model in Australasia for new franchised hotels with the introduction of a centralised franchising services model in addition to the Master Collaboration Agreement with La Vie. Australia’s Adelaide – Through the signing of a Master Collaboration Agreement to add more than 30 properties to the Group’s portfolio over the following 10 years, Radisson Hotel Group and La Vie properties & Resorts have expanded their relationship. The five industry-leading brands include Radisson Blu, Radisson RED, Radisson, Park Inn by Radisson, and Country Inn & Suites by Radisson. La Vie will be able to develop, manage, and operate properties under these brands under a non-exclusive brand collaboration agreement as part of the Master Collaboration Agreement between the two leading hospitality companies. The La Vie Hospitality Group, which offers end-to-end innovative hospitality solutions across multiple disciplines, including Education, Asset Management, Procurement, Building Management, Hospitality Services, and Hotel & Resorts, is the parent company of La Vie Hotels & Resorts, an owner-centric hospitality management company. In its major strategic development areas, such as Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Cambodia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bangladesh, Fiji, and Vanuatu, the Group’s portfolio will be expanded as a result of the partnership with La Vie. The partnership furthers the already-existing connection between Radisson Hotel Group and La Vie, which was established in 2022 following the successful rebranding and conversion of three properties in Sri Lanka. These Radisson Blu and Radisson hotels, which are managed and maintained by La Vie Hotels & Resorts, are situated in the popular tourist areas of Galle, Colombo, and Kandy. Elie Younes, Executive Vice President and Global Chief Development Officer of the Radisson Hotel Group, commented on the relationship: “We’ve had a good engagement with La Vie Hotels & Resorts thus far, with successful property conversions in Sri Lanka. Our relationship has now expanded across important regional markets as a result of the most recent announcement. The Radisson Hotel Group is renowned for providing the best standards of hospitality, and the growth of our portfolio will make our brands more accessible to more visitors. Jerry Xu, CEO of La Vie Hotels & Resorts, stated: “This is a significant collaboration for our business and one of which we are tremendously pleased. In 2022, the Radisson Hotel Group team and I introduced three iconic properties in Sri Lanka under the Radisson Blu and Radisson brands, and within a year, they had achieved tremendous success. We are excited to continue building on our accomplishments as a team in the years to come. We are now extending our relationship and signing a Master Collaboration Agreement. “As we work towards our shared goal of creating unforgettable moments, our end-to-end innovative hospitality solutions, combined with the power of Radisson Hotel Group’s distinctive brands and distribution, will enable us to offer exceptional experiences to guests across Asia Pacific.” Through collaborations with top third-party management companies, Radisson Hotel Group aims to construct adaptable and cutting-edge business models that satisfy the demands of the owners and developers. The agreement with La Vie is only one illustration of this. A centralised franchising service will soon be expanded into Australasia due to the expansion of the Group’s portfolio there, allowing independent and small-scale hotel businesses to benefit from the strength of the worldwide network of the Radisson Hotel Group. “The centralised franchising service model will create opportunities for owners in the region to maximise efficiencies by streamlining operations,” said Andre de Jong, Area Senior Vice President for South East Asia & Pacific. We are happy to be able to provide our owners with a dynamic choice of services and business models that are tailored to their particular requirements. This will improve our relationship and promote success and income. The centralised franchising services model will enable owners to take advantage of the support, brand recognition, and global distribution of Radisson Hotel Group through proprietary systems and business intelligence tools, offering seasoned owners a variety of advantageous and adaptable benefits to independently operate their hotel. Along with the Group’s normal franchise services, owners will now have access to revenue management, round-the-clock reservations support, and advising help, all of which will increase income and lower operational expenses. The Radisson Hotel Group’s The Club of Revenue Management (The Club) will be made available in the area, allowing hotels to revolutionise their revenue management with low-cost, cutting-edge systems for maximum effectiveness and rate optimisation. The Club provides owners and partners with effective strategies for achieving achievements and locating fresh business ventures across all income streams. The Radisson Hotel Group’s plan to experience exponential growth in Asia Pacific over the following ten years will be supported by the signing of ground-breaking agreements with dependable partners. Source: traveldailynews

On April 18, 180 Chinese visitors arrived in Boracay Island on a chartered flight operated by OK Airlines from Changsha, China to Kalibo, Aklan. This was the first trip from China since the market for foreign travel reopened on January 8. Island of Boracay – The Department of tourist (DOT) is upbeat about the country’s tourist industry’s continued revival, especially with the arrival of group travel and chartered aircraft from several of its major source markets, notably China. On April 18, 180 Chinese visitors arrived in Boracay Island on a chartered flight operated by OK Airlines from Changsha, China to Kalibo, Aklan. This was the first trip from China since the market for foreign travel reopened on January 8. The DOT organised a welcome reception for the guests as soon as they disembarked in Kalibo to offer them a taste of the friendly Filipino hospitality. We are overjoyed to see chartered flights from China returning to Kalibo. This just serves to demonstrate the continued popularity of Boracay as a travel destination for Chinese visitors. “We will vigorously pursue the promotion of sustainable and responsible tourism in Boracay along with the local government and our very active private stakeholders so that more people will eventually visit and take in its beauty,” said Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco. Approximately 434,175 Chinese tourists visited Boracay in 2019, making them the most common foreign visitors there. This was before the COVID-19 outbreak caused a worldwide travel halt. By the end of 2019, the Philippines had also welcomed over 1.7 million tourists from China. Secretary Frasco emphasised the significance of visa reforms that will ease entry for the country’s top source markets such as China during the high-level convergence meeting between the DOT, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Department of Justice (DOJ), and Bureau of Immigration (BI) that took place on March 24. Since April 11, all Philippine Foreign Service Posts (PFSPS) in the People’s Republic of China have begun processing and issuing Philippine visas to Chinese tour groups as a consequence of the agencies’ convergence. “The DOT hopes to match or perhaps exceed the number of Chinese tourists we had prior to the outbreak. We thank our partner organisations, in particular the Department of Foreign Affairs, for responding to our request to resume processing and issuing Philippine visas to Chinese tour groups, soon after we made it clear that we needed China to once again serve as our main source of inbound tourists, Secretary Frasco said. The DOT Chief said, “We anticipate other interventions such as the adoption of an electronic visa system to facilitate the ease of entry into the nation of our tourists.” The Ministry of Culture and tourist (MOCT) in China, which, as you may know, included the Philippines as one of the 20 countries to be part of its trial zones for outbound tourist group trips, has been a source of significant cooperation for the DOT, as Secretary Frasco previously stated. To aid in the promotion and marketing of Philippine tourism to the Chinese market, the Department now has two satellite offices in mainland China, one in Beijing and the other in Shanghai. Source: traveldailynews

Interior design for the Nautilus was done by Officina Amare. The U-Boat Worx Nautilus submarine will be sold only via Moravia Yachting on the worldwide market. The first superyacht submarine in the world is the U-Boat Worx Nautilus. This cutting-edge hybrid-electrical sub, measuring 42 metres in length, allows for deep-sea research down to 150 metres. In surface cruising mode, the Nautilus has a sun deck with a freshwater pool, bar counter and al fresco eating space, as well as an amazing beach club. It was built to provide the luxury lifestyle above the waves as well as below. The sun deck is cleverly retractable by engineers before the Nautilus dives. Five ensuite rooms, each with a huge picture window, may accommodate up to 10 guests, while the crew of seven has their own accommodations. Interior design for the Nautilus was done by Officina Amare. Naturally, the ocean served as inspiration for the interior design, and the layout was built around the 10 circular viewports, each of which has a nearly 4 m diameter. Both above and below the water’s surface, a mezzanine observation lounge offers panoramic views, and the inside may be completely modified with various arrangement options. This cutting-edge submarine is made of steel, has a range of 3,200 nautical miles, a surface speed of 9 knots, and a submerged speed of 4 knots. The Nautilus offers entire underwater freedom in complete safety, as well as face-to-face interactions with marine creatures thanks to its sonar system and underwater cameras. The Nautilus offers a buyer an incredible opportunity and the ability to accomplish a number of global firsts because it was created, manufactured, and constructed by the most knowledgeable and experienced business in this industry. The Nautilus is a real technical marvel designed to take you on excursions both above and below the water. It is more than simply a mode of transportation. Source: traveldailynews

A public market offering may be possible for Red Sea Global, which is entirely controlled by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and intends to begin operations as early as 2026. According to Red Sea Global CEO John Pagano in an interview with Bloomberg, the business is now considering different possibilities for a public market event, such as an IPO or the creation of a real estate investment trust (REIT). Pagano stated that the firm is now having early negotiations with banks and stakeholders, despite the fact that he did not disclose any information regarding advisors, banks, or valuation. After the hotels have been open for around two years, with a track record of demonstrated occupancy, cash flow, and profitability, he said the business expects to go public by 2026 or 2027. The company’s top objective right now is to develop an income source that will sustain its worth. According to Pagano, the idea of publicly traded real estate corporations has mostly vanished from the perspective of global real estate markets. Instead, because to their lower tax rates and accessibility to a larger variety of investors, real estate investment funds are growing in popularity. Vision 2030 flagship projects for Saudi Arabia In 2021, the Saudi sovereign wealth fund combined two state-controlled developers to create Red Sea Global, and Amaala was taken up by the Red Sea Development Company. The Red Sea Development Company, a leading developer of tourism-related projects in Saudi Arabia, changed its name to Red Sea Global last year. The Red Sea Project and Amaala are what Pagano, in a previous interview with Skift, referred to as the “flagship projects” for Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. He claimed that the new projects will be crucial to welcoming foreign tourists to the nation. The two projects are anticipated to generate 120,000 employment by 2030, including 70,000 direct jobs and 50,000 indirect jobs. Upon completion in 2027, Amaala is anticipated to cover an area of more than 4,000 square kilometres, have 25 hotels, and contain close to 900 luxurious villas, flats, and estate houses. It is estimated that the first phase of construction would offer more than 1,300 hotel rooms spread over eight resorts by mid-2024. The first three hotels at the Red Sea Project will open in 2023, followed by the remaining 13 in 2024, according to Nicholas King, group chief development officer of Red Sea Global, who made the announcement during the Skift Global Forum East in Dubai last year. Source: skift

Since March 15, Diamond Princess has offered travellers 5- to 19-day Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan cruise itineraries. HONG KONG Princess Cruises, the top-selling cruise line in the world, is renowned for its distinctive itineraries and personalised at-sea vacations. Princess Cruises has been working hard for three years to get back to sailing in Asia. Princess’s comeback heralds cruise travel for passengers unlike any other, setting the standard in Asia. From Japan, the first stop is made. As The Love Boat, Princess Cruises continues to offer customers top-notch cuisine, popular shows and activities, one-of-a-kind excursions, and relaxing experiences on board the Diamond Princess, a ship with Japanese influences that is specially designed for the Asian market. During this wonderful seaside vacation, guests will experience love all over again and scream “I Love This Boat” together. Since March 15, Diamond Princess has offered travellers 5- to 19-day Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan cruise itineraries. The reopening of the routes includes tours leaving from Kobe in addition to homeport trips from Yokohama. 57 departures, 43 distinctive trips, and 38 destinations. May is the month to celebrate “Love,” and Princess Cruises has a limited promotion for free upper beds from now through May 15 on new bookings for the third and fourth guests. This discount enables travellers to get together with family and friends on the Love Boat and have a good time at sea. May also marks the arrival of Mother’s Day, the Japanese Golden Week, and Korea’s family festivals. Intelligent ships, Endless Possibilities The Diamond Princess has the most Japanese influences. Mitsubishi built the Diamond Princess, which offers passengers a straightforward, cosy, and opulent cruise experience in true Japanese style. The 116,000-ton ship was built with Japanese ports in mind, but Diamond Princess also gives you a holiday that is uniquely yours with its Princess MedallionClass experience and next-generation technologies. The Diamond Princess offers its visitors the Lotus Spa, Sanctuary, bars, delicious sashimi at Kai Sushi, the tranquil IZUMI Japanese Bath, and more hidden gems. Diamond Princess now has Japanese bidets in public toilets and the opulent surround sound system of Movies Under the Stars following a significant makeover in 2019. The Princess Theatre, Explorers Lounge, and Club Fusion renovations give visitors an improved, more substantial Japanese-style experience. The main pool deck LED lighting has been improved for a more brilliant and colourful entertainment experience. The legendary Diamond Princess cruise line offers individualised holidays in addition to being a beautiful vessel. Your Medallion, a wearable gadget the size of a quarter that enables touch-free boarding, the ability to locate loved ones anywhere on the ship, and enhanced services like having everything you need delivered, is where it all starts. Ten Years of Carnival in Hong Kong Princess Cruises strives to grow the Asian cruise industry while giving customers the greatest experience possible. Princess Cruises will keep aggressively coordinating its preparations with those of the government and other authorities. “After putting a lot of work into starting up again in Japan, I think a lot of people are as thrilled as I am to see Princess Cruises make another trip to Asia. Gee Chan, the recently hired Regional Director, expressed optimism that more flights and homeports will restart in the near future. Source: traveldailynews

ATE24 will take place from May 19 to May 23, 2024, and representatives from 30 different nations are anticipated. The largest annual tourism trade show in Australia, the Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE), will be hosted in the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) from Sunday, May 19, to Thursday, May 23, 2024, for the first time since 2015. On the trade floor of ATE23 on the Gold Coast, Phillipa Harrison, the managing director of Tourism Australia, confirmed Melbourne as the event’s new host city. This year, the ATE returned to the Gold Coast in its original format after a number of years of hybrid events. “We can’t wait to work with Visit Victoria to deliver another amazing ATE in 2024,” Ms. Harrison said. “Melbourne has proudly hosted our premier travel trade event on eight occasions in the past. We look forward to taking ATE, and more than 2,000 delegates, back to Melbourne to drive future tourism business across Australia.” “ATE brings together tourism businesses, wholesalers, and retailers from all over the world for four days of meetings, as well as networking events, which are more crucial than ever as competition for the tourism dollar increases.” Melbourne will host ATE24 for the eighth time; the city has held the event in 1991, 1992, 1997, 1998, 2003, 2004, 2009, and 2015. 2020 was scheduled to take place in Melbourne, but the pandemic throughout the world prevented that from happening. ATE gives tourist businesses around the nation the chance to network with and conduct business with foreign buyers. ATE24 will take place from May 19 to May 23, 2024, and representatives from 30 different nations are anticipated. Tourism Australia will offer ATE24 in collaboration with Visit Victoria. Source: traveldailynews

A ferry trip from Charleston International Airport in South Carolina to Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi employed a combination of 30% SAF and 70% conventional jet fuel, which reduced CO2 emissions by around 1,50,000 pounds throughout the fuel’s lifetime. Gurungam – The best full-service airline in India, Vistara, a joint venture between TATA Group and Singapore Airlines, was the first in the country to fly a wide-body aircraft on a paid domestic route on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). On a brand-new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner operated by Vistara, this incredible achievement was accomplished while flying from Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), Delhi, to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai, using a fuel mixture of 17% SAF and 83% regular jet fuel. On this journey, Vistara was able to cut its carbon dioxide emissions by almost 10,000 pounds. This innovative programme is a cornerstone of Vistara’s continuous efforts to reduce carbon emissions and promote the aviation industry’s transition to a sustainable future. For the first time ever by an Indian airline, Vistara flew a wide-body aircraft on a lengthy overseas flight last month using sustainable aviation fuel. A ferry trip from Charleston International Airport in South Carolina to Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi employed a combination of 30% SAF and 70% conventional jet fuel, which reduced CO2 emissions by around 1,50,000 pounds throughout the fuel’s lifetime. “We have always been committed to driving sustainability and innovation in aviation, and are delighted to carry out yet another industry-first initiative of operating a commercial flight on a wide-body using SAF,” remarked Mr. Vinod Kannan, Chief Executive Officer of Vistara, at this time. We appreciate the assistance from our partners and the appropriate authorities. Together with other TATA group airline businesses, Vistara has made significant efforts to lower carbon emissions via the application of green technology. In order to work together on the study, development, and use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs), they had signed an MoU with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – Indian Institute of Petroleum last year. Vistara also works to reduce CO2 emissions for international flights and the industry’s contribution to climate change through the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA). Vistara is the top-rated airline in India according to Skytrax and TripAdvisor, and it has won several ‘Best Airline’ accolades. It is also praised for maintaining high safety standards and providing world-class cabin cleanliness. In addition to being recognised as the “Best Airline in India and Southern Asia” for the second consecutive year, “Best Airline Staff Service in India and Southern Asia” for the fourth consecutive year, “Best Cabin Crew in India and Southern Asia” for the second consecutive year, and “Best Business Class in India and Southern Asia” at the prestigious Skytrax World Airline Awards 2022, the airline has recently been listed among the top 20 airlines in the world. At the 2023 Regional Passenger Choice Awards, Vistara was also recognised as the ‘Best Overall Airline’ in Central/Southern Asia. Additionally, Vistara has just been recognised as Asia’s Third Youngest Airline Fleet for the second year in a row by ch-aviation. Club Big victories for Vistara at the 2023 Freddie Awards Additionally, Club Vistara, the airline’s frequent flyer programme, took up three honours at the renowned 2023 Freddie honours. Club Vistara won prizes for “Best Promotion,” “Best Redemption Ability,” and “Programme of the Year” at an event held at The Smithsonian in Washington, DC. Despite competing against some of the biggest and most established frequent flyer programmes in the Middle East, Asia, and Oceania, Club Vistara won the Freddie Awards with flying colours. With the sole purpose of guaranteeing an upgraded experience for its expanding member base, Club Vistara has continually improved the offers of its lifestyle programme in keeping with its customer-centric approach. The programme now provides simple flight and upgrade refunds starting at 2000 CV Points and 500 CV Points, respectively, and value-based earning. Recently, it offered free online extensions for vouchers and points that make it easier and more flexible to use CV Points to book upgrades or award flights. Additionally, Club Vistara has been offering its members a number of special promotions, such as the 100% Points Back offer, the Redemption Sale, the Incredible Premium offer, and the Points Transfer Fest. For example, Club Vistara Escapades gave participants the possibility to win rare vacations and immersive experiences as well as the option to share their experiences with the world on social media in order to further engage their member base. Deepak Rajawat, Chief Commercial Officer of Vistara, commented on the accomplishment, saying, “It is incredibly encouraging for all of us at Vistara to receive honoured at such a prominent worldwide platform. It also serves as motivation for us to keep providing the greatest incentives and travel experiences to our frequent flyer programme participants. We want to gratefully thank all of our devoted members for their continued support and thank the Freddie Awards for these honours. Voting for the 1988-established Freddie Awards, which are one of the most sought honours in the travel business, is done by regular fliers and hotel guests. Programme of the Year, Best Promotion, Best Redemption Ability, Best Customer Service, Best Elite Programme, and Best Loyalty Credit Card are among the six categories in which excellence is recognised. Club Vistara is a no-cost membership programme that provides its members with exclusive advantages and rewards including Upgrade Awards, Award Flights, and much more. Vistara is steadfast in its commitment to keep improving the programme and making sure that its customers enjoy themselves whenever and wherever they visit. Source: traveldailynews

Rentals United gives property managers access to more than 60 channels, including popular, niche, and location-specific websites, to manage listings. MakeMyTrip is now a channel partner of Rentals United, a well-known channel manager and vacation rental platform. By giving property managers the chance to diversify their listings and draw reservations from a quickly expanding market, this new agreement will help Rentals United establish itself as a major player in the Asian holiday rental industry. The largest online travel agency in South Asia, MakeMyTrip has operations in India, the United Arab Emirates, and other countries. MakeMyTrip is a one-stop travel shop that offers services for all travel circumstances, whether domestic or international, including booking hotels, renting cars, organising holidays, and other travel-related needs. Property managers have a tremendous chance to reach millions of prospective clients thanks to MakeMyTrip. Rentals United CEO James Burrows expressed enthusiasm for the arrangement. “Integrating to MakeMyTrip, one of the most important channels in India, is consistent with our objective to give our consumers access to top-notch regional channels. Diversifying your listings, in our opinion, is essential for boosting bookings and earnings. Offering your homes on MakeMyTrip will provide visitors from Asia, the UAE, and other countries access to a new world. Customers of Rentals United may easily connect their calendars and reservations with all other channels in an established, safe, and trustworthy online environment. Users never have to be concerned about scheduling conflicts or price differences because to the seamless connectivity. Rentals United gives property managers access to more than 60 channels, including popular, niche, and location-specific websites, to manage listings. Along with the platform’s acclaimed channel manager, Rentals United users also have access to a guest communication tool, website builder, data platform, and automatic listing quality checker. Source: traveldailynews

This distinctive festival of Loei province in Thailand’s northeastern region is also known as the Ghost Festival and is bursting with colour, culture, and tradition. The Bun Luang and Phi Ta Khon Festival, commonly known as the Ghost Festival, will take place from June 23 to June 25, 2023, in the Dan Sai area of the northeastern province of Loei, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). The magnificent Phi Ta Khon procession of residents who dance and strike postures while wearing enormous masks imaginatively constructed from carved coconut-tree trunks, topped with wicker sticky-rice steamers that make them look taller and more hideous, is the most recognisable aspect of the three-day celebration. On the first day (Friday, June 23), there will be stage performances, a cultural ritual, a spirit-calling ceremony, and food offerings to the temple’s monks. The festival’s formal opening ceremony will take place in front of the Dan Sai District Office on day two (Saturday, June 24). This will be followed by a summoning of spirits, the great Phi Ta Khon procession, the creation of merit, and the firing of bamboo rockets. On the third day (Sunday, June 25), Phon-Chai Temple will host 13 consecutive Buddhist sermons, as well as a parade of successive sermons from every hamlet in the Dan Sai District. Source: traveldailynews

This year, Airbnb anticipates a record number of visitors despite escalating economic uncertainty, with a renewed focus on renting single rooms. Airbnb is confident about consumers’ appetite to travel despite increased living expenses; the business anticipates hosting more than 300 million visitors this year. According to the short-term rental website, nights stayed in private room listings in Australia increased by over 50% last year as tourists looked for more economical lodging choices. According to data given by Airbnb, private room hosts in Australia made $92.3 million in total, with the average private room host making more than $4160. According to Susan Wheeldon, Airbnb’s national manager for Australia, the company remains confident in clients’ willingness to travel despite shifting economic difficulties. More individuals are using Airbnb to travel; as of today, there have been 1.4 billion total guest arrivals worldwide. We observe more visitors visiting over a larger range of dates and locations, and guests now possess a previously unattainable level of flexibility. While Australians are keeping a tight rein on their money, Ms. Wheeldon said there is still a strong desire to travel, which is primarily motivated by the need for connection. She told news.com.au that according to an Airbnb worldwide study, more than 60% of travellers thought that using Airbnb allowed them to connect with the local culture more closely than doing so by staying in a hotel or resort. Since Airbnb’s launch, “more than 14 million guests have returned to the same host for a subsequent stay.” The most popular categories for visitors to Australia are beach, incredible pools, surfing, national parks, and tropical. Since we launched Airbnb Categories in May of last year, rooms have remained one of our most popular accommodation options, ranking as the third most booked category worldwide, according to Ms. Wheeldon. “Millennials and solo travellers are most likely to book a private room,” says Expedia. People want vacation to be inexpensive in the present economic climate, she claimed, and private rooms are one such choice. According to her, the average cost of a private room in Australia is $104 a night. With the easing of the pandemic travel restrictions, Airbnb anticipates receiving over 300 million visitors this year. “To get ready, we’re making the most comprehensive set of improvements across almost every aspect of the Airbnb experience, and we’re doing it based on direct feedback from our community,” said Airbnb. Starting with the launch of Airbnb Rooms, Airbnb has revealed 50 new features and enhancements as of Thursday. “Airbnb Rooms is a whole unique spin on Airbnb. According to her, Airbnb Rooms are more reasonably priced for visitors and provide them the chance to make new friends and explore the area like a native. For around $100 per night, guests can rent a room in the same house or flat as their host. Despite the fact that Airbnb has long featured single rooms in homes and flats, the business claims the new service will provide additional biographical information about hosts. Additionally, customers may search listings to find out information like whether the toilet is private or shared and if the bedroom door locks. “We’ve heard from guests that they want to know more about who they’re staying with, which is why we’ve introduced Host Passports, a fun way for hosts to share additional details about themselves, including what they do for work, fun facts about themselves, and much more,” said Ms. Wheeldon. In order to improve our service, “we’ve taken a design-driven approach, storyboarding the entire guest and host journey, and analysing thousands of pieces of community feedback.” In addition to the 25 host-focused changes, Airbnb is introducing new pricing tools to assist hosts establish reasonable charges as part of the new features and upgrades. Source: escape