Travel News

Sustainability is becoming increasingly important as the global hospitality sector develops since it not only matches with customer values but also has a big impact on a hotel’s online reputation and financial success. Leading provider of cutting-edge revenue management systems BEONx is aware of how important sustainability is to the hospitality sector and how it affects hotel profitability. Hotels have long used a solid web reputation as a potent marketing tool to encourage direct bookings and guest reservations. Positive reviews are a reward for hotels that put the needs of their guests first and offer outstanding service. This leads to an upward booking spiral, higher revenue, and increased profitability. As a result, online reputation management technology has been widely embraced by the sector and integrated into the revenue management mindset. The hospitality sector has, however, seen a change in customer attitudes and tastes in recent years. Travellers are increasingly looking for lodging options that support their social and environmental ideals. Sustainability has become a crucial distinction that affects customers’ choices and builds a hotel’s reputation. Sustainability is the new online reputation, as evidenced by the fact that sustainability activities are already changing reputation rankings. Initiatives focused on sustainability not only help hotels’ reputations but also directly boost their bottom lines. Hotels may make long-term savings and contribute to a greener future by lowering operational costs, increasing resource efficiency, and putting into practise strategies like energy conservation, waste reduction, and water management. The bottom line of hotels is directly impacted by the strategic business decision to be made on sustainability. BEONx is at the forefront of this revolutionary movement, offering hotels creative ways to strategically match pricing with environmentally friendly practises. Hotels may maximise revenue potential while keeping a balance between profitability and environmental responsibility by combining BEONx’s revenue management technology with the Bioscore sustainability management system. The BEONx Hotel Quality Index (HQI) provides a thorough examination of a hotel’s general quality, taking into account client segmentation and internet reputation. Given the significance of sustainability, HQI now takes into account the sustainability score supplied by the Bioscore integration. By taking a comprehensive approach, hotels may better understand their market positioning and enable BEONx’s technology to suggest the best pricing strategies in line with what customers are ready to spend. According to Ruben Sánchez, CEO and cofounder of BEONx, “as sustainability becomes more and more influential in the hospitality industry, it is crucial for hotels to adapt and embrace this shift.” “At BEONx, we are committed to assisting hotels in their efforts to be sustainable by offering them cutting-edge revenue management solutions that not only maximize profitability but also promote environmental responsibility.” Hotels may successfully use sustainability as a competitive advantage, enhance their online reputation, and appeal to the expanding market of eco-aware passengers by utilizing BEONx’s cutting-edge revenue management system and the integration with Bioscore. Source: traveldailymedia

Users of QVerse will receive discounts of up to 10% off of Premium and Economy Class airfare to more than 160 international locations. Prior to arriving at the airport, users may now browse their travel plans in an immersive digital world thanks to Qatar Airways’ new QVerse surroundings. The World’s Best Airline invites everyone to experience what it will be like to fly in the future with its MetaHuman cabin crew “Sama” who guides passengers through Qatar Airways’ different First Class check-in desks, Premium Lounges, and Business and Economy Class cabins. Sama is called after the Arabic word for “sky” The new Business Class Suite and Economy Class in the Boeing 787-9, as well as the Qsuite and Economy Class in the Airbus A350-1000, have been included to the online experience. At Hamad International Airport (HIA), travellers can now experience an oasis of luxury in the Al Safwa First Class Lounge and the peace of the Al Mourjan Business Class lounge. “Technological advancements have opened up a new world of opportunities to enhance the digital offerings available to our customers,” said Akbar Al Baker, Chief Executive of Qatar Airways Group. We have invested in QVerse because we continually try to deliver excellence at every stage, and the online booking process is no exception. Now, travelers can virtually use our aircraft and the award-winning services we offer at Hamad International Airport. While exploring the new surroundings, QVerse users will have the opportunity to take advantage of a discount of up to 10%, which can later be applied to the purchase of Premium or Economy Class tickets with Qatar Airways. Before making their reservations on one of Qatar Airways’ nearly 160 destinations, QVerse users will get the chance to test out the airline’s immersive experience. Passengers will see the airline’s most affordable rates for the following six months when navigating the QVerse. The onboard cabins, including seat features and a taste of the Business and Economy Class dining choices, may also be explored further by users. Now available in more than 10 languages, including Arabic, Chinese (traditional), Chinese (simplified), English, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, and Thai, the ‘World’s Best Airline’ may be explored by international visitors. In April 2022, Qatar Airways introduced its cutting-edge virtual reality experience QVerse to the world of the metaverse. Initially, customers could explore the Business Class – Qsuite, the award-winning Premium Check-in area at HIA, and the Economy Class cabin of the Boeing 777-300 using their personal electronic devices. The first international airline to introduce a MetaHuman cabin crew giving a digital interactive customer trip was The National Carrier of the State of Qatar. Source: traveldailymedia

For businesses wishing to advance their creative concepts, airline distribution supplier Hahn Air is setting up an innovation node. The Research & Development Division, under the direction of Executive VP Mathieu Montmessin, is asking startups and business leaders to propose their concepts, create a proof of concept (POC), or work together to create innovation concepts under the banner of “Innovation at Hahn Air.” The Hahn Air Research & Development Department has been investigating trends, assessing new technologies, and creating new revenue streams for the Hahn Air product line since its foundation in 2019. The team’s knowledge will be made available to businesses working on original concepts and unconventional solutions that may have an influence on the travel sector through innovation at Hahn Air. According to Mathieu Montmessin, innovation is all about teamwork, imagination, and daring. “In order to attract potential partners who are interested in learning, growing their business, and promoting innovation, we are introducing Innovation at Hahn Air. Domain expertise and a wealth of experience from several proof-of-concept initiatives will assist innovation at Hahn Air. Together, we want to have a big impact on our partners and ultimately develop travel-related innovative projects. The Hahn Air Research & Development Department is presently working on the following projects: Blockchain: By joining forces with Chain4Travel as a node validator, Hahn Air is gaining insight into the world of blockchain technology. NFT: By closely collaborating with TravelX, Hahn Air is developing a POC to comprehend the benefits and potential of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) as an airline distribution strategy. Artificial Intelligence: Natural language processing (NLP) is being used by Hahn Air’s AI-chatbot on Facebook Messenger to improve communication with travelers and travel brokers. Big Data: Hahn Air is utilizing machine learning models and a range of data sources, such as human mobility, prices, timetables, and events, to aid in its decision-making and forecasting processes. Travel Distribution: To get ready for impending change and disruption in the industry’s distribution environment, Hahn Air is closelycollaborating with deep tech game changer distribution. By gathering and exchanging bitcoins, the team is also investigating the feasibility of loyalty programmes with infinite transferability. Source: traveldailymedia

It is crucial to acknowledge the many demands of travelers and the significance of LGBTQ+ travel safety in the ever-changing world of today. The updated LGBTQ+ module has just been released in honor of Pride Month by International SOS, the top provider of security and medical services in the globe. The LGBTQ+ rights organization Stonewall UK provided guidance in the creation of microlearning. It seeks to give people and organizations the information and resources they need to promote inclusivity and protect the LGBTQ+ community while on business trips. The updated LGBTQ+ section discusses local attitudes, prejudices, and difficulties that may provide dangers to LGBTQ+ visitors. Additionally, it discusses the various immigration and airport security rules, regional prescription drug importation laws and practices, and advice on how to get safe help. The course will also be offered in Korean, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, French, German, Italian, and Spanish. According to Laurent Fourier, CEO of International SOS’ Health & Security Subscription Services, “violence and discrimination continue to be major problems for the LGBTQ+ population. Depending on the location to which they travel, the hazards experienced by the LGBTQ+ workforce may differ, and they may also be influenced by factors such as the legal situation and degrees of societal tolerance. Organisations must effectively train their employees for predicted health and travel security hazards because the experience of travelling for their LGBTQ+ workforce can be extremely different. “The LGBTQ+ module provides useful information for pre-trip study, including details on regional customs, beliefs, and views towards LGBTQ+ people. This aids businesses in upholding their duty of care to protect their varied, mobile workforce. Top five recommendations for businesses to encourage the security of their LGBTQ+ traveling employees: Encourage pre-trip planning and research by making LGBTQ+ information and pre-departure advice available to all travelers. The local implementation of LGBTQ+ rights, restricting regulations, and the culture of the location should all be included in pertinent material. Provide LGBTQ+-specific advice on risks and mitigation to traveling employees so they may decide what is best for their own safety and the safety of their coworkers. Educate employees about safety procedures. This may involve being attentive to proper clothes, avoiding dangerous situations, and exercising caution when making displays of affection in public or disclosing personal information. Make sure you are familiar with the immigration laws and airport security procedures. Transgender travelers may have trouble entering a nation if their identification documents don’t match how they are currently presenting themselves. In some cases, it may be beneficial to see a medical expert prior to travel to determine whether a letter of support or explanation could simplify entrance. Provide ideas for safe accommodations; the absence of anti-discrimination laws may make it easier to decline accommodations. Give staff members a list of accommodations with a track record of promoting safety and inclusivity for LGBTQ+ people. Inform staff members of their rights and the services accessible to them by sharing LGBTQ+ inclusive policies and emergency contacts. This makes LGBTQ+ tourists feel supported and enables them to locate appropriate support services. Source: traveldailymedia

Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) services, according to leading multi-product travel platform Digitrips, are changing the game for travel e-commerce, with such transactions accounting for up to 75% of revenues for the company’s B2B2C clients. The majority of the 65 white-label storefronts operated by Digitrips for e-commerce companies in Europe offer BNPL, a short-term financing option that enables customers to make purchases and pay for them over time with little or no interest. Depending on the customer typology of the website, the financial service currently accounts for anywhere between 35% and 75% of sales for their B2B2C clients.”It’s obvious that Buy Now Pay Later purchases play a critical role in empowering our white labels partners sites to make travel more accessible,” stated Emilie Dumont, CEO of DIGITRIPS. In fact, some claim that most of their travellers opt to postpone payment or divide the expense into several installments. According to the data, providing payment flexibility to clients not only helps to meet the travel demand that has been building up but also highlights the necessity for individualised offers that take into account each customer’s preferred method of payment. The FLOA – Kantar European Barometer 2022 emphasises the expanding significance of payment options in Europeans’ purchase patterns. The study’s emphasis on travel indicated that 35% of consumers utilise the financial service to book travel plans, making travel a crucial category for BNPL providers. The percentage of BNPL consumers in France, Digitrips’ largest market, who profit from postponed or staggered travel payments is as high as 44%. Source: traveldailymedia

The sixth of Destinations-E’s new innovations, the revamped CRUISES-E, is now available. CRUISES-E is a hand-picked collection of the best cruise lines from 7 different categories, visiting more than 2000 ports in 200 different countries. from traditional to expedition, river, sailing, and barge charters to super yachts, gulets, and phinisis. “together, the best” These are acknowledged as being the pinnacle of luxurious cruising and lifestyle. They serve as a reflection of the preferences, knowledge of the surroundings, and particular experiences of their owners. These were developed and planned by people who understand and cherish the requirements, plans, and preferences of luxury and wealthy travellers. Destinations-E, a luxury travel and leisure brand, has redesigned this exciting brand extension in response to the high-end desire for cruises of authentic, unique, and assured quality experiences.The Cruise-E lines we have chosen are the best cruise experiences available anywhere in the globe. Companies & Genre SILVERSEA Classic & Expedition Scenic River & Expedition AMAWaterways River Ponant Classic & Expedition & Sailing AQUA Expeditions Expedition & River Paul Gauguin Classic – together with SeaDream Sailing/Yacht Charter – Barges, Phinisis and Gulets “CRUISES-E exclusively offers the best for the oceans, seas, and rivers. With their impeccable credentials and the travel opportunities they have produced, we are thrilled to represent them all. remarked Destinations-E CEO Mark Greedy. “CRUISES-E is a Sales & Marketing affiliation, providing Friends of E introduction, assurance, support, and promotion to the best of the best cruises- And our cruise partners are introduced to our ever-expanding Friends of E global connoisseurs of the finest.” We started out as a group of 87 luxury cruise ships operating on 7 cruise lines and in 7 different genres, visiting more than 2000 ports of call throughout the world, all of which had reservation transaction support from our E-Travel Concierge.The other standalone websites and brands that Destinations-E has recently added under its umbrella, such as PrivateJets-E, Legends-E, E-VILLAS.co, E-Experiences plus GiftCertificates-E, and of course our JOY2ESPREE luxury retail, are outstanding new models with wonderful horizons and relevant partners. Source: traveldailymedia

With the help of Geneva Tourism’s summer campaign, explore Geneva’s unexpected side and enter to win a gratis weekend for two. The most recent marketing initiative encourages tourists to experience the city’s seasonal experiences and learn why Geneva is the ideal vacation spot all year long. For a chance to win a weekend spent discovering the unanticipated surprises of Europe’s top city break destination, participants need just share their favourite activities in and around the city with Geneva Tourism. The Jet d’Eau, excellent watchmaking, variety of international institutions, and the stunning Alps are just a few of Geneva’s well-known icons. However, it’s the city’s many undiscovered gems that draw tourists back repeatedly. Every traveller can find something to do in Geneva during the summer, whether it’s diving in the city, wine tasting, watching an outdoor movie by the lake, or sampling the city’s enormous variety of different cuisines. Witness the city’s transformation into an urban lakeside resort by trading your watches for some water-based pleasure. From the comfort of your paddle board, take in views of the Harbour and Old Town, or push the limits on a wake board in the shade of the Jura mountains. Take a tuk-tuk through Geneva’s vineyards throughout the day to see the city’s diverse and modest wine selection and learn why Geneva is Switzerland’s third-largest wine-producing region. In the evening, stop by Place Bourg-de-Four, Geneva’s oldest square and just a short distance from St. Peter’s Cathedral, for a drink at one of the numerous charming bars that line the streets. Those who don’t want to leave the water can take a surprise break aboard the historic steamer Bateau Genève and have a sundowner on the deck while the River Rhone runs below. Visitors who come for the city can extend their stay by taking a stroll through one of the many parks scattered throughout the city, such as the Parc de l’Ariana, which is home to the Ariana Museum, a masterpiece of Italian Renaissance architecture. Combine the city and the outdoors on a day excursion by climbing the Sentier du Rhône, which showcases the Moulin-de-Vert nature reserve’s natural splendour, or cycling the Entre Arve et Lac, a lovely route through the Genevan countryside. The Geneva City Pass from Geneva Tourism is the best way to discover the city’s well-kept secrets. The city is available for exploration for 24, 48, or 72 hours; over 60 attractions are all accessible for free or at a reduced price via free public transportation. Source: traveldailymedia

A strategic partnership to advance the marketing of river cruises in Latin America has been inked by reputable river cruise wholesaler Politours and Europamundo, a top tour operator for vacation circuits in the region. The purpose of this agreement is to improve the tourism ties between Europe and Latin America. By working with a partner who has a sizable local presence, Politours will strengthen its position in Latin America. The JTB Group, one of the biggest tourism organisations in the world, includes Europamundo, which has a significant presence in Latin America and is a market leader in the sale of premium circuits around Europe. The wholesaler’s hallmark product—and a highly sought-after niche by the Latin American market—Politours’ river cruise itineraries will as of today be incorporated by Europamundo into its catalogue as part of this agreement. Alejandro de la Osa, the CEO of Europamundo, commented on this, saying, “It will allow us to expand Europamundo’s traditional offerings with an attractive complementary product, with Politours’ quality guarantee.” The Politours brand enjoys tremendous prestige in Latin America thanks to an offering built on quality, culture, and hospitality, and this partnership reinforces our commitment to that market, according to Carlos Ruiz, General Director of Politours. We anticipate developing alongside Europamundo in the future. The arrangement comes at a critical time for Politours, which must now work to build its brand in Latin America, a key region from which it anticipates deriving 40% of its revenue within the next three years. With the development of a product specifically for these customers, the alliance also considers the possibilities of market extension into the English-speaking markets of Japan and other locations. Source: travelbizmonitor

The subsidiary of Qatar Airways Group that provides ground handling services, Qatar Aviation Services (QAS), is now the first ground handler in the world to have achieved IATA Environmental Assessment Programme (IEnvA), a certification programme designed specifically for ground and cargo service providers. The IEnvA certificate was given to Qatar Aviation Services by the Qatar Airways Group on June 5 in Istanbul, Turkey, at the 79th IATA Annual General Meeting. The successful IEnvA for Airlines programme was expanded with the introduction of the IEnvA for Ground and Cargo Handling Service Organisations certificate in June 2022 at the 78th IATA Annual General Meeting in Doha. QAS joined the expanded IEnvA initiative as part of the pilot phase, making it the first organisation worldwide to do so. A framework for achieving environmental sustainability across all ground operations has been established by IATA in partnership with Qatar Airways Group and international sustainability experts. The certification process covered QAS offices and workshop structures, ground handling operations and equipment, cargo handling operations and equipment, as well as maintenance tasks. Akbar Al Baker, Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Airways Group, stated: “We are committed to putting sustainability at the centre of our operations. In 2017, Qatar Airways became the first airline in the Middle East to receive IEnvA accreditation at the highest level. We are devoted to providing the leadership and resources required to realise our vision for environmental sustainability as we expand our global network. As the first ground handler certified worldwide under the new IEnvA programme for Ground and Cargo Handling Service Organisations, we today extend the IEnvA accreditation to QAS. Qatar Aviation Services has accomplished a critical milestone with their IEnvA accreditation, according to IATA’s Director General, Willie Walsh. They are one of the program’s early adopters, and it is obvious that they are committed to controlling and minimising the environmental impact of their activities. For other ground handlers and ground service providers to follow, their certification serves as a fantastic example of top-notch environmental management practises. In order to enable Hamad International Airport achieve its elite status as an environmental leader among airports worldwide, Qatar Aviation Services is dedicated to reducing the environmental effect of its operations. It hopes to achieve the highest environmental standards through its participation while putting expansion plans into place. Source: traveldailymedia

In honour of World Oceans Day, Atlantis Dubai marks the second anniversary of the Atlantis Atlas Project, the cornerstone of its broader commitment to promote ethical and ecological travel. The deployment of green initiatives totaling $500,000 USD over the previous 12 months has led to considerable change that will aid in reducing waste and emissions and facilitating a more responsible operation. Atlantis Dubai’s Tim Kelly, Executive Vice President and Managing Director, stated: “We are happy to publish the results of the Atlantis Atlas Project’s second year, which represents our continuous dedication to sustainable growth. We have accomplished some amazing things thanks to the hard work of our committed Atlantis colleagues, and we’re building a legacy of environmental stewardship as we work to conduct business in a way that benefits both people and the environment. Effective Operations The Atlantis Atlas Project continues to place a high priority on reducing energy and waste production. Over the last 12 months, there has been a 40% decrease in food waste going to landfill thanks to the adoption of the Winnow AI technology to help reduce food waste throughout buffet operations. 2,020,908 plastic water bottles have been replaced since the start of the on-site water filtration and bottling plant, which provides all rooms and restaurant outlets with safe, clean filtered drinking water in the form of refillable glassware. The destination is on track to eliminate all single-use plastic water bottles by the end of 2023. His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, made this pledge in support of Dubai Can in February 2022. Additionally, 2,178 solar panels were put all across Atlantis, The Palm, creating 720,445kWh of renewable electricity in 5 months and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 310 tonnes. Source: traveldailymedia