m-Travel.com and Travel Distribution News

Archives for January 2007

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TripAdvisor’s new personalisation tool for trip planning

Travel community TripAdvisor has introduced a new personalisation tool, making trip planning as easy as “save it and go”.

Continue reading "TripAdvisor’s new personalisation tool for trip planning"

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How does Sol Meliá assesses the effectiveness of its loyalty programme?

CRM Special: By EFT Correspondent in San Francisco

Sol Meliá Hotels & Resorts assesses the effectiveness of its loyalty programme with room night production and revenue obtained, according to Adriana Toledo, director - loyalty programmes, Americas Division, Sol Melia Hotels and Resorts.

Continue reading "How does Sol Meliá assesses the effectiveness of its loyalty programme?"

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Russia’s first budget airline takes off

Russia’s maiden budget airline, SkyExpress, recently piloted its maiden flight as the company plans to shake up the market for domestic air travel.

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easyJet and Windows Vista create desktop gadget

Europe’s low-fares airline easyJet and Windows Vista have launched easyJet desktop gadget for customers to personalise a flight information and booking service using the Microsoft Vista technology.

Continue reading "easyJet and Windows Vista create desktop gadget"

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OAG enhances its travel services via SideStep real-time search technology

Travel search company SideStep has signed a deal with OAG enabling the travel and transport information company to integrate a fare search and booking facility within its hosted timetable solutions.

Continue reading "OAG enhances its travel services via SideStep real-time search technology"

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JetBlue post $17m profit in 4Q

Low-cost airline JetBlue Airways Corp. has posted a fourth-quarter profit of $17 million.

Continue reading "JetBlue post $17m profit in 4Q"

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Treating loyalty programme like an investment portfolio

CRM Special: By EFT Correspondent recently in San Francisco

A good loyalty programme is managed effectively when it is treated like an investment portfolio – with different funds or segments of customers who will deliver value at different rates over the short and long term, according to Caroline Papadatos, SVP and chief knowledge officer, Alliance Data | Loyalty Services.

Continue reading "Treating loyalty programme like an investment portfolio"

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Over 47 million Sam's Club members to have access to Expedia.com's offerings

Expedia.com and Sam's Club, a division of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., announced a
partnership under which the online travel company will serve as the exclusive
travel partner to power travel bookings for Sam's Club.

Continue reading "Over 47 million Sam's Club members to have access to Expedia.com's offerings"

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An alternative to search engine pay-per-click online ad campaigns

Offering “an alternative to expensive search engine pay-per-click online advertising campaigns”, a website Mytravelstore.co.uk has been launched to provide the travel industry with qualified sales leads from web users.

Continue reading "An alternative to search engine pay-per-click online ad campaigns"

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Best Western International promotes Renee Ryan to VP marketing

Best Western International has promoted Renee Ryan to the position of vice president of marketing.

Continue reading "Best Western International promotes Renee Ryan to VP marketing"

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Galileo opts for Accept 360 to enhance product management

Galileo has chosen Accept Software Corporation to strengthen its product planning and product management.

Continue reading "Galileo opts for Accept 360 to enhance product management"

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LCCs force traditional carriers to re-consider their current RM processes in Asia

Revenue Management Asia Special: By EyeforTravel Correspondent

Paul Rose, managing director, Paul Rose Revenue Management Limited feels there have been two major activities in the RM arena pertaining to the aviation sector in the recent past.

Continue reading "LCCs force traditional carriers to re-consider their current RM processes in Asia "

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Integrating RM and CRM in a mutually beneficial relationship

CRM Special: By EFT Correspondent recently in San Francisco
   
  A primary imperfection in the current RM systems is the undifferentiated
nature of inventory allocations, according to Dave Pelter, vice president,
supplier relations and pricing, Farecast.

Continue reading "Integrating RM and CRM in a mutually beneficial relationship"

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UK retailer banks on massive marketing power to take on OTAs

Woolworths Group plc, a UK-baesd retailer focused on the home, family and entertainment, is to start selling discount holidays, flights and hotel rooms.

Continue reading "UK retailer banks on massive marketing power to take on OTAs "

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Worldspan enriches Trip Manager XE with this cost-saving enhancement

Worldspan has added a cost-saving enhancement to its online self-booking tool, Worldspan Trip Manager XE.

Continue reading "Worldspan enriches Trip Manager XE with this cost-saving enhancement"

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Corinthia Hotels revenue shows "dramatic" growth in the US

Corinthia Hotels has managed a 70 percent growth in 2006 of overall room
revenues from the US market.

Continue reading "Corinthia Hotels revenue shows "dramatic" growth in the US"

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Travelzest hopes to deliver the full-year benefit of its acquisitions this year

Travelzest plc has stated that its total transaction value increased 261 percent to £44.1 million as the company disclosed its preliminary results for the year ended 31 October 2006.

Continue reading "Travelzest hopes to deliver the full-year benefit of its acquisitions this year "

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How do consumers perceive hotel and airline loyalty programmes?

CRM Special: By EFT Correspondent in San Francisco

Consumers have developed very sharp value-detectors while playing the loyalty game, and they recognise that the value equation has tilted toward hotel programmes, acknowledges Rick Ferguson, editorial director, Colloquy.

Continue reading "How do consumers perceive hotel and airline loyalty programmes?"

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“CRM means enabling us to be more flexible in our marketing and customer service”: Southwest

CRM Special: By EFT Correspondent in San Francisco

Loyalty programmes are becoming a large factor in determining who a flyer considers for a flight, says Debra Benton, director - loyalty marketing, Southwest Airlines.

Continue reading "“CRM means enabling us to be more flexible in our marketing and customer service”: Southwest"

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Ctrip.com to partner MSN

China’s online travel agency Ctrip.com is to partner Microsoft Corp. to tap the country’s growing class of young and affluent consumers looking to splash out on travel.

Continue reading "Ctrip.com to partner MSN"

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Internet sales accounted for 82 percent of GOL’s total gross sales last year

Brazil’s low-cost, low-fare airline GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes has shared that it finished 2006 as one of the largest e-commerce companies in Brazil.

Continue reading "Internet sales accounted for 82 percent of GOL’s total gross sales last year "

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Asia’s Travel Industry Charges into 2007

2006 was a special year in the evolution of the Asian travel industry. The region continued steaming along with record growth figures, surpassing all other major regions and forging a strong position in the global game.

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RM should assess how pricing impacts goodwill and future revenues

Revenue Management Asia Special: By EyeforTravel Correspondent

It seems that for RM to flourish you need to have a healthy competition amongst suppliers, a differentiated product offer that can be bolstered by diversity in the distribution channels and pricing policies focused on long term or rather than on short term benefits, feels Christophe Tayon, founder, Competitive Studies.

Continue reading "RM should assess how pricing impacts goodwill and future revenues"

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Viewpoint: Expedia and Travelocity on CRM

CRM Special: By EFT Correspondent in San Francisco

Marketing in the online travel space is focused on utilising better business and customer insight - even to the one-to-one customer level.

Continue reading "Viewpoint: Expedia and Travelocity on CRM "

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Groople to expand its social networking/collaboration capability

CRM Special: By EFT Correspondent in San Francisco

Online group travel agency Groople is planning to expand its social networking/collaboration capability, adding additional destination and hotelier content and providing add-on content that is relevant to that customer’s transaction.

Continue reading "Groople to expand its social networking/collaboration capability"

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"We are not in merger negotiations with Northwest,": Delta chief executive

Delta Air Lines' chief executive has denied any merger talks with Northwest
Airlines.

Continue reading ""We are not in merger negotiations with Northwest,": Delta chief executive "

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IPO being planned for Orbitz?: media

US private equity firm The Blackstone Group is reportedly planning to list online business Orbitz.com less than six months after taking private its parent company Travelport.

Continue reading "IPO being planned for Orbitz?: media"

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"Each brand has its own promise that must be delivered": Starwood's Rachel Ryerson

CRM Special: By EFT Correspondent in San Francisco

Companies need to create value for the customer when asking for personal data.
And allowing guests special access to services and/or functionality is one way
to create value in exchange for information, according to Rachel Ryerson,
director - field marketing, - Hawaii/French Polynesia, Starwood Hotels and
Resorts Worldwide.

Continue reading ""Each brand has its own promise that must be delivered": Starwood's Rachel Ryerson"

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"Our loyalty programme is about preferences, not miles and points": Kimpton Hotels

CRM Special: By EFT Correspondent in San Francisco

"Miles and points are a negative motivation - works for some businesses but
not for Kimpton".

Continue reading ""Our loyalty programme is about preferences, not miles and points": Kimpton Hotels"

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Best Western focuses on a new culture of customer service

CRM Special: By EFT Correspondent in San Francisco

Best Western is gearing up for the launch of a new culture of customer service called My Best Customer Care.

Continue reading "Best Western focuses on a new culture of customer service"

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BTC issues business travel industry advisory for UK / EU

Referring to the long-term CRS-airline agreements in the US in 2006, Business Travel Coalition (BTC) says as per its sources and research, some airlines in Europe are planning to unveil critical proposals.

Continue reading "BTC issues business travel industry advisory for UK / EU"

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Farecast offers travellers a way to avoid getting burned by rising airfares

Airfare prediction website Farecast.com has launched Fare Guard, a service that allows customers to protect the lowest airfare for their trip without buying a ticket.

Continue reading "Farecast offers travellers a way to avoid getting burned by rising airfares"

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Delivering a personalised stay experience with excellence on a consistent

CRM Special: By EyeforTravel.com Correspondent 

Fairmont Hotels has balanced its CRM focus on both acquisition and
retention-based initiatives.

Continue reading "Delivering a personalised stay experience with excellence on a consistent"

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"Certain hotels and certain hotel experiences cannot be classified as a

Revenue Management Asia Special: By EyeforTravel Correspondent

The market conditions are more dynamic now than they have ever been, those
hotels that are trying to truly optimise yield without the tools available
today are fighting an uphill battle, says Grahame Tate, managing director -
Asia Pacific, IDeaS Revenue Optimization.

Continue reading ""Certain hotels and certain hotel experiences cannot be classified as a"

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HomeAway strengthens its European operations, acquires Abritel.fr

HomeAway, Inc., the US-based owner of www.Holiday-Rentals.co.uk, has acquired Abritel.fr.

Continue reading "HomeAway strengthens its European operations, acquires Abritel.fr"

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Ignite Technologies serves Sabre’s growing global workforce demands

Ignite Technologies, Inc. has shared that it is helping to transform business communications and operations throughout Sabre Holdings’ growing and widely dispersed global workforce.

Continue reading "Ignite Technologies serves Sabre’s growing global workforce demands "

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Interview with Stefan Wolf, director - RM, Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts

Revenue Management Asia Special: By EyeforTravel Correspondent

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts is currently developing guidelines for Spa and F&B revenue management apart from rooms and event revenue management.

Continue reading "Interview with Stefan Wolf, director - RM, Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts"

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How can loyalty programmes boost sales effectively?

CRM Special: By EyeforTravel.com Correspondent

“Loyalty programmes are built on the key assumption that they build loyalty and I am not so sure that is still the case.”

Continue reading "How can loyalty programmes boost sales effectively? "

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Jet Airways claws its way back to profitability

India's Jet Airways has worked its ways back to profitability after posting
loss in the first two quarters.

Continue reading "Jet Airways claws its way back to profitability "

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Virgin America revises its application to get nod for low-cost airline

Virgin America Inc. revised its ownership application as it hopes to reverse a
tentative decision by US regulators to deny its bid to start low-cost airline
service this year.

Continue reading "Virgin America revises its application to get nod for low-cost airline"

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EyeforTravel launches in France – Early bird prices run out today!

EyeforTravel’s inaugural ‘Travel Distribution France 2007’ conference will take place 14-15 March in Paris.  The event sees leading speakers from Accor, Euro Disney, Easyjet, Voyages-sncf, Nouvelles Frontières, Selectour, Opodo, Google, Go Voyages, Auchan Voyages, Boscolo Hotels, Expedia, Costa Crosières, Air Canada and more, convene to discuss how to maximise profits in one of the world’s largest travel markets – France.

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“Expedia will never treat travel as a commodity”: Cameron Jones

Revenue Management Asia Special: By EyeforTravel Correspondent

Over 65 percent of Expedia’s dynamic package bookings in Asia Pacific are made more than 30 days in advance and on average stay for 6.5 days in each hotel, according to Cameron Jones, regional director, Expedia Partner Services Group, Asia Pacific.

Continue reading "“Expedia will never treat travel as a commodity”: Cameron Jones"

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American Airlines parent earns its first full-year profit since 2000

AMR, the parent of American Airlines, has posted its first annual profit in five years.

Continue reading "American Airlines parent earns its first full-year profit since 2000"

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Abacus gives a 'face-lift' to its VirtuallyThere solution

Abacus International has revamped its VirtuallyThere solution in its endeavour
to drive customer satisfaction and loyalty for its network of 15,000 travel
agency locations in the region.

Continue reading "Abacus gives a 'face-lift' to its VirtuallyThere solution"

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Continental Airlines reports 2006 net income of $343 million

Continental Airlines reported 2006 net income of $343 million ($3.30 diluted earnings per share), a substantial improvement over the 2005 net loss of $68 million.

Continue reading "Continental Airlines reports 2006 net income of $343 million"

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Royal Caribbean Cruises makes its Euro bond market debut

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd made its Euro bond market debut selling a bigger-than-expected one billion euro ($1.30 billion) bond after drawing keen investor interest.

Continue reading "Royal Caribbean Cruises makes its Euro bond market debut"

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Malaysia Airlines chooses TravelSky to distribute its inventories to travel agents in China

Malaysia Airlines has decided to offer its passenger seats inventory and related travel and tourism services to customers in China through TravelSky Technology Limited (TravelSky).

Continue reading "Malaysia Airlines chooses TravelSky to distribute its inventories to travel agents in China"

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Adventity secures $20m in investment capital

U.S. venture capital firm Norwest Venture Partners has invested $20 million in Adventity, an Indian business and knowledge process outsourcing firm that focuses on the travel and financial services industries.

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“Adopting an entrepreneur’s approach to running RM will dictate its success”

Revenue Management Asia Special: By EyeforTravel Correspondent

Variable pricing has the potential to sour the customer’s purchase experience if not handled properly, says Nayan Peshkar, regional director - revenue management Europe, Millennium Hotels and Resorts.

Continue reading "“Adopting an entrepreneur’s approach to running RM will dictate its success”"

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Expedia signs deal with largest hotel owner and operator in China

Expedia, Inc. has entered into a marketing partnership with Jin Jiang International Hotel Management Company (JJIHMC), the largest hotel owner and operator in China.

Continue reading "Expedia signs deal with largest hotel owner and operator in China"

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Triton introduces a new reservation and booking application for agencies

Triton Distribution Systems, Inc., a web-based travel distribution service provider, has launched ReservationExpert.

Continue reading "Triton introduces a new reservation and booking application for agencies "

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Former Cendant chairman sentenced to a 12-year prison term

Former Cendant Corp. chairman Walter Forbes was reportedly sentenced to a 12-year prison term and ordered to pay $3.3 billion for his role in the 1990s case that cost shareholders more than $14 billion.

Continue reading "Former Cendant chairman sentenced to a 12-year prison term"

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Coping up with the challenge of recruiting and retention of property revenue leaders in Asia

Revenue Management Asia Special: By EyeforTravel Correspondent

In a market like Asia, which is considered to be a late starter in recognising the benefits of RM and in implementing RM systems, the dearth of qualified personnel is termed as a major challenge.

Continue reading "Coping up with the challenge of recruiting and retention of property revenue leaders in Asia"

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RM gains importance among the smaller chains and independent hotels in Asia

Revenue Management Asia Special: By EyeforTravel Correspondent

Cairnhill Group is working with the hospitality industry in Asia towards increasing awareness of the importance and benefits of revenue management.

Continue reading "RM gains importance among the smaller chains and independent hotels in Asia"

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A complete turnkey solution for travel faring, booking, administration and reporting

Farelogix Inc. and SureWare LLC have signed an alliance agreement and will be collaborating on the integration of the SureWare profile management and back office solutions with the Farelogix FLX Platform.

Continue reading "A complete turnkey solution for travel faring, booking, administration and reporting"

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Enabling sale of each seat at the optimum price through travel agency distribution

Amadeus has registered a marked increase in the number of carriers using its revenue maximisation tools to increase revenues through travel agency distribution.

Continue reading "Enabling sale of each seat at the optimum price through travel agency distribution "

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Jet Airways introduces IVR-based payment and ticketing service

Jet Airways has launched an Interactive Voice Response (IVR)-based payment and ticketing service as part of its customer relationship development programme.

Continue reading "Jet Airways introduces IVR-based payment and ticketing service"

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“Simply imposing a Western-based GDS model does not work”: Abacus

Abacus International’s annual customer service survey has highlighted the importance of Asia-specific solutions and on-the-ground regional knowledge for GDS.

Continue reading "“Simply imposing a Western-based GDS model does not work”: Abacus"

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Cheapflights invests in dohop.com

Flight price search and comparison site Cheapflights Ltd. has made a strategic investment in the Icelandic global flights planner, dohop ltd. Financial details weren’t shared.

Continue reading "Cheapflights invests in dohop.com"

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HotelsByCity.net users can search new City Blogs for airfares, hotels, car rentals

Travelocity Partner Network has signed a new agreement with HotelsByCity.net, an online travel site that promotes its travel content via the blogosphere and other social media.

Continue reading "HotelsByCity.net users can search new City Blogs for airfares, hotels, car rentals"

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Best Western Hotels GB appoints new director of distribution, revenue, sales and marketing

Best Western Hotels GB has chosen Hanna Tiitola for the newly-created role of director of distribution, revenue, sales and marketing.

Continue reading "Best Western Hotels GB appoints new director of distribution, revenue, sales and marketing"

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Southwest Airlines revamps its site, not booking process: media

Southwest Airlines Co. has worked on its site to offer quicker and easier-to-read links to reservation and booking systems, online passenger check-in and other flight data.

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EFT Special: Where is Indian aviation industry headed?

By EFT Correspondent

Going by the developments in the Indian aviation sector last year, not many doubt that there is enormous scope for growth in India’s air traffic over the next few years. Especially with low fare carriers spreading their wings to encompass more destinations with greater frequency.

Continue reading "EFT Special: Where is Indian aviation industry headed? "

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Malaysia Airlines targets US$129m million worth of online sales

Eyeing a considerable chunk of transaction via its own site, Malaysia Airlines is targeting RM450 million (US$129 million) worth of online sales this year.

Continue reading "Malaysia Airlines targets US$129m million worth of online sales "

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Virgin eyes auction for First Choice unit: media

Virgin group is reportedly eyeing the $967.1 million-$1.16 billion auction for the holiday package business of First Choice Holidays.

Continue reading "Virgin eyes auction for First Choice unit: media "

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What led to cracks in American Airlines – Expedia relationship?

An American Airlines’ official has clarified that the airline wasn’t able to “come to economic terms” on its agreement for the international and domestic first and business class tickets as far as relationship with Expedia is concerned.

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Asia Pacific manages 20.12 percent RevPAR growth in 2006

London has emerged as the top European market in revenue per available room (RevPAR) for 2006, according to a report.

Continue reading "Asia Pacific manages 20.12 percent RevPAR growth in 2006"

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Kayak.com launches a metasearch product for cruises

Travel search engine Kayak.com has launched a metasearch product for cruises. According to the company, unlike other travel sites, Kayak.com will search multiple cruise sites for prices and itineraries and is the only site that offers consumers a choice of where to book.

Continue reading "Kayak.com launches a metasearch product for cruises"

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American Airlines puts a restriction on relationship with Expedia

American Airlines has stated it will no longer sell international tickets or domestic first or business class tickets through Expedia.com or any other website powered by Expedia.com to customers purchasing travel from the United States.

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TRX focuses on corporate travel data reporting

TRX, Inc. has completed the acquisition of Hi-Mark Software, an Atlanta-based data acquisition and business intelligence company.

Continue reading "TRX focuses on corporate travel data reporting"

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Opportunity for ASTA’s members to refine their websites for more leads and sales

In an effort to enable travel agencies to generate more leads and sales from their websites, the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) has signed an agreement with Resolve Digital.

Continue reading "Opportunity for ASTA’s members to refine their websites for more leads and sales"

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Oversee.net acquires LowFares.com, strengths lead generation offerings

Oversee.net has acquired travel product comparison research site LowFares.com.

Continue reading "Oversee.net acquires LowFares.com, strengths lead generation offerings "

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JetBlue Airways introduces an option for buying cruise trip on cruises.jetblue.com

Taking care of the hassle of buying cruise and air travel from different websites, JetBlue Airways has launched an option for customers to purchase cruises on cruises.jetblue.com.

Continue reading "JetBlue Airways introduces an option for buying cruise trip on cruises.jetblue.com"

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Senior Marketing Executives Reveal how they have Unlocked the Full Revenue Potential of their Customers Through an Optimized CRM Strategy

On 23-24 January 2007 EyeforTravel will in holding their inaugural CRM in Travel conference in San Francisco.  This event see speakers from highly-successful travel companies gather to debate the latest trends in CRM, Loyalty and Customer Service. Companies represented include:  Starwood, JetBlue, Fairmont Hotels, Best Western, British Airways, Delta, American Airlines, Hotwire, Alaska Airlines, The Venetian, Walt Disney, Travelocity, Expedia, AIR MILES and TripAdvisor.  Over 200 people have already registered to attend this event and it promises to be a valuable networking opportunity for travel industry executives – for a full list of companies who have already signed up to attend, scroll down to the bottom of this article.

Continue reading "Senior Marketing Executives Reveal how they have Unlocked the Full Revenue Potential of their Customers Through an Optimized CRM Strategy"

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Winair opts for technology package from Worldspan

Windward Islands Airways International (Winair), a passenger airline serving destinations in the northeast Caribbean, has advanced its technology platform.

Continue reading "Winair opts for technology package from Worldspan"

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Hilton launches global meetings and events website

Hilton has launched its first, global meetings and events website to drive online meeting and event bookings.

Continue reading "Hilton launches global meetings and events website"

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Accor gears up for new global loyalty programme

Olivier Hudry has joined Accor’s Relationship and Internet Marketing team as vice president loyalty programmes.

Continue reading "Accor gears up for new global loyalty programme"

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ABTA counters Holiday Which? price differential claims

The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) has clarified that Holiday Which’s recent investigation into tour operators’ brochure pricing shows a misunderstanding of the workings of the travel industry.

Continue reading "ABTA counters Holiday Which? price differential claims"

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US Airways gets Morgan Stanley into its hostile bid for Delta

US Airways Group has strengthened the financial muscle behind its hostile bid for bankrupt Delta Air Lines, adding Morgan Stanley as a lead financial backer alongside Citigroup.

Continue reading "US Airways gets Morgan Stanley into its hostile bid for Delta"

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Increasing online revenues via efficient marketing and loyalty schemes

Neolane, a provider of customer marketing and communication software, has enabled Accor Hotels to increase online revenues by over €180m and cut marketing costs by €300,000 per annum.

Continue reading "Increasing online revenues via efficient marketing and loyalty schemes"

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Aeroplan to offer complete online hotel bookings using Aeroplan Miles

Aeroplan has stated that Best Western International is the first hotel partner to offer a totally web-based solution for searching, booking and confirming hotel stay redemptions using Aeroplan Miles.

Continue reading "Aeroplan to offer complete online hotel bookings using Aeroplan Miles"

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How are Asia Pacific travel agents’ coping up with price wars with other agencies?

Abacus International has shared that a large number of travel agencies in the Asia Pacific region are considering moving further into corporate travel to reduce the possibility of price wars with other agencies and to increase revenue.

Continue reading "How are Asia Pacific travel agents’ coping up with price wars with other agencies? "

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Emirates strengthens ties with Sabre Airline Solutions, signs deal with lastminute.com

Sabre Airline Solutions is to enhance Emirates’ flight scheduling activity by implementing the latest Sabre AirFlite flight schedules planning and management solutions.

Continue reading "Emirates strengthens ties with Sabre Airline Solutions, signs deal with lastminute.com"

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An investigation in the UK showcases difference in brochure and online pricing

An investigation has found a difference of as much as £468 on the price of a two-week Majorcan holiday for two adults and one child booked online, rather than from a brochure.

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NYTimes.com enhances information and functionality offered by its travel site

NYTimes.com has re-launched its travel site (http://www.nytimes.com/travel). 

Continue reading "NYTimes.com enhances information and functionality offered by its travel site "

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Best Western’s global loyalty programme posts its strongest annual growth in 2006

Gold Crown Club International, Best Western’s global loyalty programme has shown unprecedented growth in 2006, with a record 28 percent increase in sales year on year.

Continue reading "Best Western’s global loyalty programme posts its strongest annual growth in 2006"

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Expedia Corporate Travel signs contract for customer care outsourcing

Expedia Corporate Travel has selected APAC Customer Services, Inc. (APAC) as its new corporate travel customer care outsourcing partner.

Continue reading "Expedia Corporate Travel signs contract for customer care outsourcing"

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National Car Rental and Amadeus to provide e-vouchers for car rental reservations worldwide

Amadeus has signed a global partnership with National Car Rental, which will offer travel agents the possibility of providing e-vouchers for car rental reservations booked through Amadeus and National on a worldwide basis.

Continue reading "National Car Rental and Amadeus to provide e-vouchers for car rental reservations worldwide"

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Hotelier’s 2007 Top Ten Internet Marketing Resolutions

By Max Starkov and Jason Price

This year at least a third of all hotel bookings will be generated from the Internet (29% in 2006, 25% in 2005). Another third of all hotel bookings will be influenced by the Internet, but done offline (call center, walk-ins, group bookings, etc). By the end of 2010, over 45% of all hotel bookings will be completed online (Merrill Lynch). Are hoteliers taking full advantage of this dramatic channel shift? Has the shift increased commoditization of the hotel product? Is there such a thing as customer loyalty in this environment? How can the hotel increase its direct online market share? What are some Consumer Generated Media formats and initiatives to consider, develop and implement? Is there more hoteliers can do to compete and succeed? The 2007 Top Ten New Year’s Internet Marketing Strategy Resolutions, presented by Hospitality eBusiness Strategies (HeBS) for the seventh year in a row provides some of the answers and action steps.

Continue reading "Hotelier’s 2007 Top Ten Internet Marketing Resolutions"

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Accor to partner Korean Air for its Skypass frequent flyer programme

Accor has signed a partnership agreement with Korean Air, which will enable members of Korean Air Skypass frequent flyer programme to earn miles during their stays at Sofitel, Novotel and Mercure hotels worldwide.

Continue reading "Accor to partner Korean Air for its Skypass frequent flyer programme"

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Online Vacation Center strengthens expertise in the upscale travel segment

Online Vacation Center Holdings Corp. has acquired West University Travel, a travel agency focused on providing luxury personal travel products such as cruises, European tours and all-inclusive vacations.

Continue reading "Online Vacation Center strengthens expertise in the upscale travel segment"

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Choice Hotels’ chief marketing officer quits

Wayne Wielgus, executive vice president and chief marketing officer, Choice Hotels International has decided to leave the company. He had joined the company in 2000.

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Amazon.com founder readies for commercial spaceflight venture

Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos has revealed the first images of the launch of a
private spacecraft.

Continue reading "Amazon.com founder readies for commercial spaceflight venture"

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Where is consolidation of the US airline industry headed?

The prospects for airline consolidation hinge on the ability of US Airways Group to pull off its proposed hostile takeover of bankrupt Delta Air Lines, the chief executive of JetBlue Airways said, according to Reuters.

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Opportunity for Hertz Global Holdings to expand: analyst

Hertz Global Holdings Inc. is in a position to strengthen its status as a top car rental service at airports by expanding in other profitable markets, says an analyst.

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New budget airline from Malaysia to fly to India, China and Europe

Malaysian domestic airline FlyAsianXpress (FAX) and low-cost airline AirAsia have shared plans of launching a low-cost long-haul service, AirAsia X in July this year. The proposed airline will fly to destinations in India, China and Europe.

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Virgin Holidays targets families and couples with new TV ad

Virgin Holidays has released an advertising campaign targeting families and couples considering long haul holidays worldwide.

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SideStep to launch cruise search vertical

Travel search engine SideStep is set to introduce its Cruise vertical.

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Wyndham Worldwide chooses Betsy O’Rourke for senior marketing role

Wyndham Worldwide Corporation has appointed Betsy O’Rourke as senior vice president, marketing and communications.

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OneLink signs contract with Vertical Group

OneLink Corporation has added second partner in the UK travel distribution market in Vertical Group.

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China’s search engine market tipped to reach RMB4.521 billion in 2010

China’s search engine providers’ revenue will reach RMB 4.521 billion in 2010. From 2006 to 2010, the compound annual growth rate of the revenue is expected to be 30.31 percent.

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Mastering the art of selling tickets through own site

Alaska Air last year sold $1 billion worth of tickets through its website.

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