Technology, Organisations & Operators,

As the Phocuswright Conference kicks off this week, Phocuswright has revealed which companies are about to unveil their ground-breaking tech innovations at its Innovation: Launch competition.
Innovation: Launch, which will take place at the Phocuswright Conference in Fort Lauderdale on November 14th, highlights new concepts, technologies and business models entering the scene. 
This year’s conference, themed ‘You, Me & the Machine,’ will explore the massive possibilities for AI in the travel space – so many of this year’s innovations are expected to focus on this.
At Innovation: Launch, companies ready to unveil new, breakthrough and market-changing innovation will present it live onstage to more than 1,300 attendees. 
At this year’s competition, VisaHQ, TourReview, Mobi, BabyQuip, Justt, Ramp, Weeva, Terrapay, rePUSHTI by Qtech Software, Connexpay and TripFusion by Vacayou are expected to unveil new innovations.
“Phocuswright is thrilled to bring another amazing group of companies to our Launch stage that are shaping the future of travel,” said Mike Coletta, manager, research and innovation, Phocuswright. 
“From improving sustainability efforts and customer satisfaction, to reducing fraud and operational inefficiencies, to streamlining payment and distribution infrastructure, this group is directly addressing many of today’s industry pain points.”
This year’s Innovators will compete to win one of two awards – the Travel Innovation Award, which will be decided by an expert panel, and the People’s Choice Award, which will be decided by audience voting.ADVERTISEMENT“Each year, attendees are eager to see the latest innovations and the most forward-thinking companies in the industry,” said Eugene Ko, director, marketing and communications, Phocuswright. 
“At Phocuswright, we make it our mission to not only showcase these companies, but to also make them available for the audience to network with. 
“This type of connection helps solve industry problems, create new partnerships and move the industry forward, together.”
Innovation: Launch is Phocuswright’s platform for companies of any age that are changing the travel landscape. 
Launch provides companies that are ready to unveil a ground-breaking innovation with a spot in the limelight and a chance to wow the travel industry’s most savvy and engaged audience during the Phocuswright Conference.
More Information
More details about the Phocuswright Conference’s Innovation initiatives – Innovation: Launch, Hot 25 Travel Start-ups and the Start-up Program – can be found here.

Older
WTM London 2023 sees attendance soar by 22% More

Travel Ensurance provider Trust My Group has today announced the evolution of its TMU Management business into an independent entity, in a strategic move to unlock the full potential of its diverse portfolio.As part of the transformation, former group COO Sami Doyle has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of TMU Management. Trust My Group co-founders Will Plummer and Matt Bush will remain in their posts as CEO and CTO of the group and will focus their efforts on the group’s growth, alongside the launch of a new business unit later this year. Meanwhile, Karen King takes the helm as General Manager for Trust My Travel, which has recently launched its new Package Travel Protection model.
Founded in 2022, TMU Management is a data-driven insurance intermediary that uses proprietary technology to facilitate modernised credit-risk insurance products and safeguard the travel value chain.
Sami Doyle, CEO of TMU Management, said: “In just one year, TMU Management has grown from an idea to a thriving, independent business. During this process, we have benefitted greatly from the unwavering support and expertise of the wider Trust My Group, which has been invaluable in launching the brand and setting us on a path for steady growth.
“As we embark on this new chapter, we are poised to amplify our commitment to offering customisable, end-to-end risk management and mitigation solutions to the travel industry and wider industries. I look forward to driving TMU Management towards specialised growth, fostering innovation, and building enduring relationships with our valued clients and partners alike.”
TMU Management harnesses real-time data, advanced analytics, and other mitigation tools already used in specific sectors to facilitate insurance products that have longevity through the perceived ‘boom-and-bust’ cycles, and which align with their customers’ needs.ADVERTISEMENTThe company seeks to disrupt the recurring pattern whereby insurance providers tend to only service industries such as travel during times of growth, and neglect them during downturns.
With its constantly evolving reporting capabilities, TMU Management is able to provide insurers with accurate insights into individual business, irrespective of the macro environment, and offer bespoke products that provide comfort to these insurers.
At the core of the innovative approach is TMU’s proprietary technology, designed to directly integrate with policyholders and insurance markets to ensure traditional insurance practices can be replaced with accurate, data-driven risk decision-making.

Older
Technology is crucial in shifting travellers’ climate attitudes, says Digitrips CEO

Newer
InterLnkd secures £1 million investment to fuel growth and innovation More

Mabrian announces strategic growth plan as part of evolution to become the number one travel intelligence tool globally.In addition to the Middle East and North America push the company will also expand further into providing services to hotels, airlines and other private sector businesses.
Travel intelligence leader Mabrian is delighted to announce its strategic growth plan as part of its evolution to become the number one travel intelligence tool globally. The company is delighted to unveil its new strategy, which will focus on leveraging its robust platform, forming new partnerships, expanding internationally, and attracting talent.
As part of this strategy Mabrian has appointed Diana Munoz as Strategic Growth Advisor to the Executive Team.  Over a decade as a Senior Vice President in Mastercard, Munoz held various global positions managing strategic partnerships, and fostering growth for over a decade.  Prior to Mastercard, Diana held senior positions in Citi EMEA and Latam and in American Express North America and Latam.
Under Diana’s advice, Mabrian’s new strategy will focus on international expansion. The company is poised for exponential development and growth in new regions such as the United States or the Middle East, despite already operating in 40 countries. This expansion will be achieved through strategic partnerships at a global level and the exploration of new business segments within the private sector. These initiatives aim to support Mabrian’s existing global leadership in providing intelligence services to tourist destinations.
For the past eight years, Mabrian has been at the forefront of offering travel data and insights through its artificial intelligence-powered visual dashboard. What sets it apart is its ability to integrate multiple sources of data, enabling it to track the complete traveller’s journey, including air travel, hotel stays, destination spending, and social impressions. Mabrian leverages over 20 global data sources to gain a comprehensive understanding of visitor profiles and behaviour, helping destinations optimise their promotional strategies and maximise spending.ADVERTISEMENTWith an impressive 85% service renewal rate, Mabrian’s development is supported by its high customer loyalty. In addition, the company continuously improves its Artificial Intelligence systems, allowing for the identification and forecasting of tourism trends using Big Data analytics. These ongoing advancements in AI strengthen Mabrian’s position as an industry leader.
“Mabrian is delighted to welcome Diana Munoz as a Strategic Advisor to our executive team” stated Santi Camps, Founder & CEO at Mabrian. “Diana’s in-depth understanding of the travel industry and her strategic vision will be instrumental in driving our growth and establishing Mabrian as a global leader in travel intelligence. We are confident that her appointment will enable us to seize new opportunities and strengthen our position.”
Camps added: “Mabrian’s client base speaks to the strength of our offerings. Now, we are expanding our services to the private sector, exploring new regions, and actively engaging in partnerships with key consulting firms.
This growth trajectory has us incredibly excited and ready to take on new challenges.“Diana Munoz, in her new role as a Strategic Advisor, expressed her enthusiasm about joining Mabrian, stating, “After many years of working with Mabrian as a partner, I am delighted to be a part of this new phase in its journey and excited to contribute to its international expansion. Mabrian’s advanced technology, combined with its strong client base and exceptional team, positions us for tremendous growth. I look forward to leveraging my expertise and working closely with the team to capitalise on the opportunities ahead and drive success in this new phase.”

Older
MANDARIN ORIENTAL EXCLUSIVE HOMES ADDS ITS FIRST AFRICAN PROPERTY WITH VILLA D MARRAKECH

Newer
MANDARIN ORIENTAL EXCLUSIVE HOMES UNVEILS THE ULTIMATE UK SUPERCAR EXPERIENCE More

SITA, the technology provider for the travel and transport industry, secured a landmark deal with Airports Authority of India to support one of the biggest growth markets globally, providing technology to 43 of India’s biggest airports.
India’s Civil Aviation is among the fastest-growing aviation markets globally and will be a major growth engine to make India a USD 5 trillion economy by 2024.
The deal will see improvements to over 2,700 passenger touchpoints, paving the way for the adoption of new-age solutions to meet the modern passenger’s expectations. Initially deployed across 43 airports, the technologies are scalable to an additional 40 airports over the next seven years. Over 500 million passengers are expected to be processed during this period.
The rollout of new cloud technology will enable Indian airports to shift to common-use passenger experiences where multiple airlines can leverage the same infrastructure, such as check-in counters, self-service kiosks, and boarding gates.
The adoption of cloud solutions also brings new agility and flexibility to scale airport operations efficiently as passenger numbers grow. The cloud-first approach enforces better security and offers airlines a platform to host new progressive technologies and move away from native applications. Centralized cloud hosting of all servers means reduced on-premise infrastructure costs and results in centralized control, enabling proactive monitoring and control of services.ADVERTISEMENTSumesh Patel, President, Asia Pacific, SITA, said: “We’re excited to partner with AAI on this large-scale deployment of leading passenger processing solutions. The number of airports in India is expected to increase from 148 today to 220 by 2025. The new airports will bring closer together India’s almost 50 cities with populations exceeding one million people, creating substantial economic value in the long term. By connecting these cities better, air travel and transport will help unlock the full potential of India’s economic growth too. Ensuring efficient and fluid operations and a seamless passenger experience at these airports will be critical to delivering on India’s air transport industry opportunity.”
The solutions will give passengers more control over their journey, offering a low-touch, efficient check-in, bag drop, and collection process through assisted and self-service mechanisms. The airports will benefit from a reduced infrastructure footprint and increased operational efficiency.
Under the agreement, SITA will deploy its state-of-the-art solutions, including SITA Flex, CUPPS, SITA CUSS, and SITA Bag Manager. These IATA-certified platforms offer airlines and ground handlers the benefits of common-use technologies, enabling scalable operations to meet their specific requirements.
The Baggage Reconciliation System ensures a high level of baggage accountability, preventing losses and security concerns, which is critical to industry recovery amidst a spiraling baggage mishandling rate. This project represents a significant shift towards adopting cutting-edge technological platforms, enhancing operational efficiencies, and paving the way for the future adoption of biometric passenger processing. Additionally, real-time dashboard-based information will be made available to governing agencies, promoting transparency and informed decision-making.
AAI officers at the airport and headquarters now have access to online real-time dashboards, replacing the monthly service availability reports. The solution ensures they are better informed and know the availability of systems across all airports at every point in time, optimizing efficiency and promoting smooth operations.The project commenced in May 2022 and involved a comprehensive revamp of existing services without disrupting ongoing operations.

Older
Cathay Pacific Achieves Milestone with First Overseas Refueling of Sustainable Aviation Fuel

Newer
ONE FORTY at Four Seasons Resort Lanai Receives Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence More

Pan Am Flight Academy, a leading aviation training provider, has acquired a new Level D B737 MAX-8 simulator to enhance its commercial pilot training programs.The state-of-the-art simulator is expected to be ready for training by July 2023 enabling Pan Am to incorporate a new aircraft sim to its extended offering.
The new simulator features the latest technology for a realistic and immersive training experience. It will be fully equipped with the latest L3 Harris RealitySeven technology. The new B737 MAX-8 sim will have all the latest features including the Runway Awareness and Advisory System (RAAS), TCAS II-7.1, weather radar, electric control loading and motion system and RSi EPIC visual system.
“We are excited to add the B737 MAX-8 simulator to our fleet of training devices,” said Jeff Portanova, President of Pan Am Flight Academy. “This new simulator is a significant investment in our training programs and will provide our students with the highest quality training experience.”
The B737 MAX-8 is one of the most popular commercial aircraft in the world, and with the new simulator, Pan Am Flight Academy will be able to offer further training options to pilots from airlines and other aviation organizations worldwide.
For decades, Pan Am Flight Academy has built a reputation of providing the highest quality training programs in the aviation industry. The academy offers a wide range of aviation training programs for commercial pilots, including initial type ratings, upgrades, recurrent training, ATP- CTP and other specialized training courses.ADVERTISEMENTFor more information on Pan Am Flight Academy’s training programs, visit www.panamacademy.com

Older
Cambodia’s Ambitious Tourism Roadmap

Newer
Coastal Mississippi Spotlights Sustainable Travel Experiences for Earth Month More

InterLnkd – the travel tech start-up that enables the industry to earn a new and free revenue stream from fashion, beauty, and essential products – has today announced that Thomas Cook has chosen its solution to power its intelligent shopping mall.
Powered by InterLnkd’s unique matching engine software, Thomas Cook will offer its customers access to a personalised selection of products and offers specially curated for their upcoming holidays.
The innovative matching engine, built through AI algorithms, identifies the most relevant products for a customer’s booking and showcases them via Thomas Cook’s bespoke online shopping mall. This enables Thomas Cook to simultaneously enhance its online offering and earn a new and free revenue stream from the items customers need and want for their holidays.
In addition, customers of the new intelligent shopping mall will enjoy access to exclusive offers from some of the biggest online and high street brands.
Louie Davis, Head of Ancillaries & Financial Services at Thomas Cook, said: “As we approach the busy holiday season, we know our customers are looking for great deals on their beach-ready wardrobe and holiday essentials. This new partnership with InterLnkd will enable us to help customers find recommendations and offers from great brands, all in one place.”ADVERTISEMENTBarry Klipp, CEO of InterLnkd, added: “We’re delighted Thomas Cook has chosen InterLnkd to power its dynamic and intelligent shopping mall, which will deliver a personalised shopping solution for its customers.
“Whether it’s a beach, city or ski holiday, our research shows the average person spends £270 on fashion, beauty, and essential products for their upcoming holiday. Through our white label, dynamic AI technology, customers will now be able to find the fashion, beauty, and essential products they need and want for their holidays in just a few clicks.
“We’re excited to connect Thomas Cook customers to over 1000 major brands and offer them our intelligent curated edits solution with exclusive offers – while also delivering Thomas Cook a new, free and innovative ancillary revenue stream.”
For more information, visit https://interlnkd.com.

Older
Dance your way to Jamaica’s biggest party this Spring as Carnival in Jamaica commences

Newer
Celebrate the Coronation at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London More

HQ, the industry-leading end-to-end global enterprise solution for corporate mobility, and Gett, a market leader in the UK black cab market, today announced a new partnership. Through this partnership, select HQ corporate customers in the UK now have the ability to book on-demand and future rides directly through the Gett app or HQ SummitGround platform.Starting today, Gett’s transport options, including black cabs, will appear alongside existing ground travel options on the HQ SummitGround platform. Integrating Gett and HQ embeds Gett’s services into the corporate policy compliance process of existing HQ users, making Gett a pre-approved option for travellers that is seamlessly plugged into HQ users’ billing and procurement processes. At a time of budget cuts and rising costs, HQ’s billing technology is built from the ground up to provide customers with spend visibility and cost optimisation.  Moreover, with HQ SummitGround, customers have the freedom to tailor travel policies and booking parameters based on factors like employee position and journey type, allowing for greater spend control. The partnership with Gett extends these capabilities to ride-hail in London.
Amiad Solomon, the CEO and Co-Founder of HQ, said: “Our partnership with Gett in London is an important milestone as we bring high-quality ride-hail into the mobility mix. From today, clients can select on-demand Gett rides from within the HQ SummitGround platform or mobile app, as they would with any other ground transportation service.  As a result, Gett rides are integrated within HQ’s booking, billing, and payment platform, alongside our clients’ preferred suppliers.  In turn, clients gain a complete picture of ground travel activity, covering everything from spend to scope-3 emissions, from one single dashboard.  We’re thrilled to partner with Gett, and look forward to the journey ahead.”
Matteo De Renzi, the CEO of Gett, added: “We’re excited to be partnering with HQ, who share our commitment to providing customers with maximum options and flexibility while also promoting compliance with their travel policies. In partnership with HQ we believe we will be able to provide an unrivalled service in London for businesses when it comes to reliability, quality, and convenience, as well as greater transparency on their costs and emissions. Together with the drivers on our platform, we are looking forward to providing our services to some of the most prestigious enterprises in London and beyond.”
The two companies also share a similar vision in regard to sustainability. With this partnership, on-demand rides with Gett will appear within HQ’s sustainability reports to show key emission hotspots, employee usage, and travel behaviour.  This will help ensure that ride-hail and black cabs are more accurately and comprehensively tracked alongside other travel.
As part of Gett’s offering, HQ customers can select greener ride options, like electric black cabs, at the time of the booking.  As well as providing access to 3,000+ electric vehicles, Gett also offsets all CO2 emissions from every ride booked on their app/platform in the UK with certified carbon offsetting projects through their partnership with EcoAct. ADVERTISEMENTThe availability of electric vehicles strategically times with the expansion of London’s Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) across all London boroughs from 29 August 2023.  ULEZ aims to tackle air pollution and traffic congestion, a move that is expected to bring cleaner air to 5 million more London residents.  Pure electric vehicles are exempt from ULEZ charges. As part of the two companies’ shared sustainability efforts,  HQ and Gett aim to support customers in reducing scope-3 emissions while offering greener, more sustainable forms of ground transportation.
To learn more about HQ, please visit hqtravel.comTo learn more about Gett, please visit www.gett.com

Older
Mountain biking in Quito, a unique experience for lovers of adventure and nature

Newer
flydubai adds four destinations in Saudi Arabia More

Trip.com has launched TripGen, a chatbot designed to provide travellers with live assistance through cutting-edge AI technology. Trip.com implemented this technology to enable users to receive tailored travel routes, itineraries and travel booking advice in real time on the Trip.com platform.The newly launched consumer tool strives to make travel more accessible than ever with its all-in-one app strategy. Trip.com has long offered personalised comprehensive search solutions designed to meet travellers’ needs for the best flights, hotels, and travel guides. TripGen has taken this search capability one step further with an advanced context-based Natural Language Processing-integrated (NLP) chatbot. Users can ask complex or vague questions and get the exact answers they need to “Generate Your Dream Trip Just Like That”.
Making pre-trip decisions and in-trip arrangements can be stressful. If you’re not a travel expert, the first obstacle for most is: Where should I go? What should I do? Of course, you can ask friends or search online, but inevitably this leads to more questions like, what’s unique about this place? How do I arrange my days? What’s it going to cost me? and so on. TripGen’s chatbot allows users to enter any fragmented travel-related questions, and receive instant suggestions for pre-trip decisions and in-trip arrangements, from flights and hotels to transportation and tours, making the whole process enjoyable and stress-free.
Amy Wei, Senior Product Director at Trip.com Group and Product Owner of TripGen, shared her experience as a frequent traveller, “Time is precious, but planning is always so time-consuming and stressful. There is so much information available to users, and often it’s overwhelming. As a travelholic who visited over 40 countries, I completely empathise with other travellers’ pain points and difficulties in preparing for a trip.”
Understanding the difficulties consumers face when planning and preparing for a trip, Amy and her team integrated AI technology to help solve this complex and stressful process, providing efficient and valuable real-time assistance. She added, “TripGen can provide travellers with closed-loop services before, after, and during their trip just as the saying goes, ‘You desire a trip, we generate the rest. Just like that!’”   
Schubert Lou, COO of Trip.com said, “The goal of Trip.com is to become your trusted trip companion. The release of TripGen provides real-time, question-and-answer services in the Trip.com app, resulting in greater, faster, and more diverse support for travellers.”ADVERTISEMENT“TripGen currently supports English, Japanese, Korean and traditional Chinese. More languages will be added depending on user needs. On the technical side, TripGen has integrated the OpenAI API, which developed ChatGPT based on GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) architecture. In the future, we will consider other NLP model alternatives and continue on our journey to provide the ultimate product experience for travelers.”
Why not take the guesswork out of your next trip and use Trip.com’s TripGen to create the perfect plan for your next adventure?

Older
ANA partners with Amadeus to migrate all domestic flights to Altéa Passenger Service System

Newer
Melbourne Welcomes Visitors to Experience its Extravagant Events Season More