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    American Express Global Business Travel acquires Egencia

    American Express Global Business Travel (GBT) has successfully completed the acquisition of Egencia, a digital travel management platform.
    As part of the transaction, Expedia Group has become a shareholder in GBT.
    Expedia has also entered into a long-term agreement to provide accommodations supply to GBT.
    GBT and Egencia will together offer the leading solutions across every segment of business travel.
    By teaming Egencia with GBT’s Supply MarketPlace, the company hopes to provide customers with more value and choice and offer suppliers enhanced access to business travellers.ADVERTISEMENTPaul Abbott, GBT chief executive, said: “Bringing GBT and Egencia together will create a winning formula that will define the future of travel.
    “We will provide unrivalled value, choice and experiences to customers.
    “Unrivalled value because together we’ll have the best content and deliver the best savings.
    “Unrivalled choice because no one comes close to the breadth and depth of solutions we will offer.
    “And unrivalled experiences because we have the best people and technology in the industry.”
    With the close of the transaction, Mark Hollyhead, president of Egencia, will continue to lead the Egencia business reporting directly to Abbott.

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    TUI raises €1.1bn in latest rights offer

    TUI has completed its second rights offering this year.
    The gross proceeds amount to around €1.1 billion.
    The company share capital will thus be increased nominally by around €524 million euros to just under €1.6 billion.
    The proceeds from the capital increase will be used to reduce the drawings on the KfW credit line and the banks’ cash facility (RCF).ADVERTISEMENTDuring the subscription period from October 8-26, existing shareholders were able to exercise their subscription rights and subscribe to new shares at a ratio of 10:21 for €2.15 per share.
    Some 97.7 per cent of the subscription rights were exercised.
    As announced, anchor shareholder Unifirm of the Mordashov family exercised the subscription rights in full.
    Unifirm also acquired additional shares in the market and part of the unsubscribed shares and increased its stake in TUI AG from 32 per cent to around 33 per cent.
    The unsubscribed shares subsequently went in full to qualified investors in a rump placement, part of which went to Unifirm of the Mordashov family.

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    First hotel brands unveiled for Red Sea Development

    The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC) has announced the signing of nine hotel management agreements with international hotel brands to operate resorts in the first phase of the project.
    The agreements were unveiled at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) 2021.
    The collection of hospitality brands is set to operate nine of the 16 properties currently under development in the first phase.
    Collectively the brands confirmed total will control more than 1,700 hotel keys from the total of 3,000 planned for phase one.ADVERTISEMENTThese include Edition Hotels and St Regis Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott International; Fairmont Hotel & Resorts, Raffles Hotels & Resorts and SLS Hotels & Residences, part of global hospitality group Accor; Grand Hyatt, part of Hyatt Hotels Corporation; Intercontinental Hotels & Resorts and Six Senses, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts; and Jumeriah Hotels & Resorts, a global luxury hospitality company.
    “Saudi Arabia is accelerating its development of a new tourism offering in the kingdom, fuelled by the ambitious Vision 2030 program.
    “We are proud to unveil our collection of unique and diverse hospitality brands that cater to this growing market and underpin our commitment to creating a world-leading barefoot luxury destination which will soon serve as a gateway to one of the last undiscovered places on the planet,” said John Pagano, chief executive at TRSDC.
    “Most importantly, such partnerships with globally recognized and respected brands signifies the growing confidence in our business, our flagship destination and in Saudi Arabia as a tourism destination.”
    Grand Hyatt has snapped up a spot at the new tourism development
    The announcement underscores the investment potential as Saudi Arabia continues its economic diversification in line with Vision 2030.
    By 2030, the Red Sea Project expects to host one million visitors annually, capped in line with its sustainability ambitions, creating upwards of 70,000 new jobs and contributing SAR22 billion (US$5.3 billion) to the national GDP once fully operational.
    Each brand at the Red Sea Project has embraced the vision of the project and have agreed to work together to collaborate in making the destination a success.
    The partners have welcomed the industry-pioneering sustainability standards of TRSDC and the broader commitment towards regenerative tourism development.
    Jumeriah will have a presence at the Red Sea Development in Saudi
    ‎“Hospitality is the anchor of The Red Sea Project.
    “We are determined to create a world-class luxury destination and the hotel brands we partner with play a crucial role in delivering on this ambition.
    “Our partnerships are cemented through a collaborative framework that emphasize synchronicity between all brands.
    “In doing so, we aim to create more value and maximise destination success, empowering stakeholders to benefit from shared best practices and economies of scale,” said Jay Rosen, chief financial officer at TRSDC.
    “The hotel management agreements unveiled today mark a significant milestone for us and we welcome more hotel operators, developers and investors to join us in our journey to build a thriving destination for visitors from around the world.”
    Upon completion in 2030, the site will host 50 hotels offering up to 8,000 hotel rooms and approximately 1,000 residential properties across 22 islands and six inland sites.
    The first phase will also include a luxury marina, an 18-hole championship golf course, entertainment and leisure facilities, as well as an international airport.

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    Jet2.com expands summer 2023 plans

    Jet2.com has added three more UK bases to its plans for summer 2023.
    With summer sun in demand, the tour operator to leisure destinations across the Mediterranean and Canary Islands has put its programme on sale earlier than ever before.
    With programmes going on sale today from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Newcastle Airports, this gives customers the opportunity to get that well-deserved summer break locked into the diary well in advance.
    The exciting programme gives customers and independent travel agents fantastic choice and flexibility when it comes to their favourite summer destinations in the Canaries, Balearics, Spain, Greece, Turkey, Italy, Cyprus, Croatia and Portugal.ADVERTISEMENTOn top of six UK bases going on sale just last week, this means Jet2.com has its summer sun programmes on sale for 2023 across nine UK bases.
    Steve Heapy, chief executive of Jet2.com, said: “Following the positive response to six UK bases going on sale earlier than ever before just last week, we are very pleased to be adding Edinburgh, Glasgow and Newcastle too.
    “We know that customers want something to look forward to more than ever before, which is why we are putting our exciting summer sun 2023 programme on sale now.”

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    Destination Sport Experiences launches to athletic travellers

    The newest name in sports travel, Destination Sport Experiences, has launched to the market.
    The brand, created by Portman Travel Group, is set to cater for athletes who want to participate in the very best cycling, running and triathlon events across the world.
    Destination Sports Experiences is headed-up by managing director, Brendan Fox, who alongside his team, has decades of experience working in the global sports travel industry.
    The company will be offering travel packages and guaranteed entry to marathons, cyclosportives and long-distance triathlons around the world, together with VIP hospitality access to many of the top professional cycling events.
    These start with L’Etape du Tour 2022, which is available now.ADVERTISEMENTSpeaking of the launch, Fox said: “We couldn’t be more excited to launch Destination Sport Experiences to the public.
    “As you’d expect, a lot of hard work has gone on behind the scenes, and continues to happen, to ensure our customers have an array of world-class events available to choose from.
    “Destination Sport Experiences will provide athletes with incredible opportunities to take part in some of the best events and experiences that sport has to offer, while removing the stress from searching for travel and accommodation.
    “We want to encourage everyone to do something extraordinary!”
    Destination Sport Experiences are fully ABTA bonded with an ATOL licence, in line with the consumer financial protection requirements of UK travel law and will be launching travel products to new 2022 events over the next few weeks.

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    Saga launches new brand campaign in UK

    Saga is launching a new brand campaign focused on changing the way people think about age and showing the more positive side of getting older.
    The campaign is part of a wider data, digital and brand strategy, which champions what Saga is calling “Generation Experience” – the discerning, sharp and savvy over-50s.
    The integrated campaign, based on deep customer insight, sees the launch of new TV advertising and will lean into digital channels.
    The integrated campaign was devised by VCCP London, in partnership with VCCP Media, VCCP CX and Someone.
    The over 50s are the fastest growing demographic in the UK, and one that holds the most spending power comparatively.ADVERTISEMENTSome 27.9 million people will be over the age of 50 by 2030 in the UK, and 63 pence of every £1 will be spent by people over 65 in 2040.
    But despite the significance of this group – and rising awareness of the need for greater cultural representation of gender, race and disability – age is often left out of the conversation and either invisible or marginalised in cultural content.
    Only 29 per cent of TV adverts feature characters over the age of 50, with just 12 per cent in lead roles.
    Euan Sutherland, chief executive of Saga Group, said: “People are living longer than ever before; they are working longer; they are helping their families; they are contributing to society.
    “We know our customers do not feel old – they feel as if they are experienced.
    “They have lived full lives, have so much to give and fully intend to make the most of each and every day.”
    Saga’s campaign will launch with a 60-second TV advert which will reveal the new creative direction of the brand.
    Actor Nicholas Farrell (the Crown, Torchwood) brings a fresh take on perceptions of age, replacing negative connotations with a savvy and sharp-witted monologue – drawing on his own decades long experience as a screen and stage actor to embody the ‘Generation Experience’ attitude.

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    IATA calls for rapid reopening of global aviation

    The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has urged governments to use the commitments reached at the ICAO High Level Conference on Covid-19 (HLCC) to make real progress towards restoring global air connectivity.
    States attending the event declared their commitment to 14 measures which, if acted upon, would enable airlines to meet the demands of consumers worldwide for a revival of air travel.
    In particular, two commitments need the most urgent action by governments.
    The first sees governments commit to promoting “a harmonized and inclusive approach to facilitate safe international air travel”, while the second refers to the roll-out of ICAO guidelines on harmonising risk assessment.
    “Government-imposed restrictions continue to stop a revival of international travel. ADVERTISEMENT“It remains 70 per cent down on pre-crisis levels.
    “The ICAO HLCC commitments show that governments understand what is needed to re-start global connectivity.
    “The task now is implementation,” said Willie Walsh, IATA director general.
    “Some governments have already started.
    “The imminent opening of the US market to vaccinated travellers will be a big step forward.
    “But we cannot let the output of this meeting remain as words on paper.
    “The airline industry, 88 million livelihoods, 3.5 per cent of global GDP and billions of travellers are counting on governments to deliver on the risk-managed reopening of international travel to which they have committed,” Walsh added.

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    Inghams unveils plans for winter ski season

    Inghams has shared a sneak peek of its winter programme for 2021/22, Elevate Your Winter.
    Highlights include fully-renovated chalets, new premium hotels and apartments, flexible booking policies and a new Covid-19 online hub, complete with a unique ski resort requirements section.
    The programme was presented at the Inghams Winter Launch event in London this week, attended by trade partners, resorts and media, where the chief executive revealed that Inghams is on track for a strong recovery this winter.
    The talking point of the evening was Inghams new Covid-19 online hub, an interactive resource for consumers, which went live this week and was presented for the first time during the launch event.
    The hub provides information on the rules and restrictions in place across the countries Inghams operate in, from destination entry requirements to what to expect in resort. ADVERTISEMENTAnswers to how to get a lift pass, where face coverings on ski lifts are needed, if anything is required to enter bars and restaurants, what test centres are available in which resorts, and more, can all be found on Inghams’ bespoke Covid-19 hub.
    The hub also includes details on Inghams’ flexible booking policies, discounts for UK test suppliers and Inghams’ In Safe Hands promise, which provides comprehensive financial protection for consumers booking with the operator.
    New for this winter is Inghams’ ‘No fee from us’ booking policy, allowing customers to move their holiday up until 28-days before departure without fees, providing customers with even greater flexibility.
    Commenting on the strong performance and winter outlook, Joe Ponte, chief executive of Inghams, said: “We’re delighted to see such strong booking numbers as we head into winter, and what’s even more encouraging is that 63 per cent of our direct customers are new to the Inghams brand, so it’s great to see that the work we have done during the pandemic has paid off.
    “We want to make the return to skiing as safe and simple for our customers as possible, which is why we’ve launched the Covid-19 Online Hub and continue to upkeep our In Safe Hands promise.”
    He added: “We hope that these resources along with the incredible chalets, hotels and apartments we have on offer this year will welcome customers back to the mountains feeling reassured and ready to ski, which is what we’ve all been waiting for.”
    New accommodation features for the Inghams 2021/22 season include a number of renovated or new chalets, hotels and apartments.
    At the launch, which took place in the atmospheric Après bar, London, and was hosted by snow sports competition commentator, Tim Warwood, Inghams provided a sneak peek of its ‘Elevate Your Winter’ campaign which launches week.
    The campaign highlights Inghams’ plans to help people get back on the mountains and make this winter bigger and better than any before.

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