m-Travel.com and Travel Distribution News

Archives for February 2008

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Datalex and CarTrawler join hands to boost airline ancillary revenue

Datalex and CarTrawler have today entered into a strategic agreement which will combine the power and flexibility of the Datalex Travel Distribution Platform (TDP), with the multi-source procurement capability of CarTrawler's Car Rental Distribution system.

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Teletext set for a new £4 million marketing campaign

Teletext is to unveil a new £4 million marketing campaign on 1st March, in which TV Text information brand will focus on promoting its holiday services on digital TV and online.

Continue reading "Teletext set for a new £4 million marketing campaign"

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"Middle East region is poised to redefine global aviation"

The Middle East region is poised to redefine global aviation, as local carriers and airports undergo massive capacity expansion and foreign airlines establish in the region.

Continue reading ""Middle East region is poised to redefine global aviation""

Priceline.com introduces mobile services

Priceline.com has launched a suite of mobile services that enable travelers with web-enabled wireless devices to search hotel inventories, pricing and availability in real-time, book rooms and check the status of their flights.

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Traditional high street travel agents still popular in the UK

A survey has indicated that traditional high street travel agents are still an important part of the travel experience for many travelers.

Continue reading "Traditional high street travel agents still popular in the UK "

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"The TMC industry has matured and is here to stay": CWT's Berthold Trenkel

Travel Distribution Summit Asia 2008 Special

Be it for increasing number of employees booking their own travel or business travel becoming segmented with a travel consultant being required predominantly for complex itineraries, the corporate travel distribution model has changed over the years.

Continue reading ""The TMC industry has matured and is here to stay": CWT's Berthold Trenkel"

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Largest Online Travel Event in Asia-Pacific grows for 5th Year running

With over 650 attendees, 20+ technology and software solution exhibitors and 11 dedicated hours of networking, the Travel Distribution Summit Asia is the largest regional event of its kind.

Continue reading "Largest Online Travel Event in Asia-Pacific grows for 5th Year running"

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Ctrip's quarterly net profit doubles

Ctrip.com International Ltd's unaudited fourth-quarter profit more than doubled from a year ago to hit RMB 135 million (US$18.9 million).

Continue reading "Ctrip's quarterly net profit doubles"

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Travel in Asia Pacific set to touch even greater heights than before

By David Brett, President, Amadeus Asia Pacific

Continue reading "Travel in Asia Pacific set to touch even greater heights than before"

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Hertz introduces low-frills Simply Wheelz offering in Europe

Following the successful launch of Simply Wheelz in Orlando last August, Hertz Corporation has introduced its new online car rental company in Europe.

Continue reading "Hertz introduces low-frills Simply Wheelz offering in Europe "

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Cleartrip receives $18.5m investment: media

Mumbai-based Cleartrip Travel Services Pvt. Ltd has reportedly received a third round of funding of $18.5 million, which brings the total investment in the Mumbai-based travel company to $30.2 million.

Continue reading "Cleartrip receives $18.5m investment: media "

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Cheapflights re-launches its US site, UK to follow

Internet media travel company Cheapflights Ltd. has re-launched its US site www.cheapflights.com.

Continue reading "Cheapflights re-launches its US site, UK to follow"

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Lufthansa raises operating profit to almost Euro 1.4bn

The Lufthansa Group's revenue totalled Euro 22.4bn (previous year: Euro 19.8bn) at the end of the financial year 2007 according to the preliminary figures.

Continue reading "Lufthansa raises operating profit to almost Euro 1.4bn"

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Qatar Airways opens exclusive office for First and Business Class passengers

Doha-based Qatar Airways has opened a new sales, reservations and ticketing office in Doha exclusively for First and Business Class customers.

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Hotels have to recognise their strengths

By Hans Jürgen Rüffert, Revway

Continue reading "Hotels have to recognise their strengths"

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travelsupermarket.com revenue grows by 101%

Price comparison website Moneysupermarket.com Group's travel vertical posted 101% growth in revenue as the company shared its preliminary results for the period ended 31 December 2007.

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eLong plans website upgrade

Online travel service provider eLong, Inc. is planning investment in back office systems, streamlining order fulfilment and a major website upgrade in the coming six months.

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Assessing the foreign airlines' interest in consolidation in the US

US airline-merger talk is piquing the interest of foreign airlines toward consolidation as a gateway to global expansion, but US regulations would limit their reach, reports Dow Jones.

Continue reading "Assessing the foreign airlines' interest in consolidation in the US "

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Yatra.com to offer customers the freedom to build their travel itinerary

Indian online travel company Yatra.com has introduced 'Make your own holiday' initiative, terming it as an industry's first.

Continue reading "Yatra.com to offer customers the freedom to build their travel itinerary"

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High Visibility Sponsorship Opportunities for TravelMole 2008 Asia Web Awards

A range of sponsorship opportunities are available for the 1st annual web awards from TravelMole for the travel and tourism industry in Asia. 

Continue reading "High Visibility Sponsorship Opportunities for TravelMole 2008 Asia Web Awards"

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GetThere focuses on Europe

GetThere has strengthened its team in Italy, France, and the United Kingdom to support its European operations.

Continue reading "GetThere focuses on Europe"

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Europcar UK Group to provide insight into environmental impact of vehicles

In what is being described as a ground-breaking initiative for the car rental industry, Europcar UK Group, has announced plans to add vital information to its car group descriptions to reflect the average CO2 emissions of vehicles.

Continue reading "Europcar UK Group to provide insight into environmental impact of vehicles"

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Flight Centre increases its pretax profit expectation to a minimum of $200m

Flight Centre Limited (FLT) has increased its pretax profit expectation for the full year to a minimum of $200million, following a strong start to 2007/08.

Continue reading "Flight Centre increases its pretax profit expectation to a minimum of $200m"

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"Earn vs. burn financial metric in the hospitality industry is far more rational"

CRM in Travel USA 2008 Special

What is critical in managing a loyalty programme when different segments of customers deliver value at different rates over the short and long term?

Continue reading ""Earn vs. burn financial metric in the hospitality industry is far more rational""

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Role of XML technology in enabling airlines to garner true additional ancillary revenue

EFT Ancillary Revenue in Travel 2008 Special

Technology is now allowing airlines to completely outsource the car rental ancillary product, and shift more of the benefits of the channel towards the airline rather than others.

Continue reading "Role of XML technology in enabling airlines to garner true additional ancillary revenue"

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Aer Lingus continues partnership with Mondial Assistance Travel Insurance

Aer Lingus is to continue its successful partnership with Mondial Assistance Ireland to administer travel insurance solutions for its European customers.

Continue reading "Aer Lingus continues partnership with Mondial Assistance Travel Insurance"

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Avis to take its 3 Minute Promise at all major UK airport locations

Car rental company Avis is expanding its 3 Minute Promise for Avis Preferred members at all other major UK airport locations including Gatwick, Stansted, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Bristol.

Continue reading "Avis to take its 3 Minute Promise at all major UK airport locations"

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"The era of multiple car hire suppliers on a single website will become the norm"

EFT Ancillary Revenue in Travel 2008 Special, Dublin

Car hire companies see airlines as a strategic channel, and airlines are really only starting to understand the value of the rich, qualified customer base they are providing the car hire suppliers, according to Bobby Healy, Chief Technical Officer, CarTrawler.

Continue reading ""The era of multiple car hire suppliers on a single website will become the norm""

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Indian travel search engine receives first round of financing from BAF Spectrum

Travel search engine iXiGO.com has received an undisclosed sum of first-round financing from BAF Spectrum Pte Ltd, a Singapore-based investment firm.

Continue reading "Indian travel search engine receives first round of financing from BAF Spectrum"

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Focusing on social networking in the business travel space

Sabre Travel Network is to launch the first Enterprise 2.0 Community Platform developed specifically with travelers in mind, called cubeless.

Continue reading "Focusing on social networking in the business travel space"

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Europcar enters China

Europcar is set to foray into China as the European passenger car and light utility vehicle rentals company gears up to serve customers in Beijing from March onwards.

Continue reading "Europcar enters China"

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Indian travel portal introduces Preferred Sales Agent network

Travel portal Arzoo.com has introduced a fully automated and robust mechanism for its Preferred Sales Agents (PSA) Network.

Continue reading "Indian travel portal introduces Preferred Sales Agent network"

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Mobile Travel Analysis

 

By Nick Gay, EyeforTravel (you can comment on this article)

Mobile travel represents the next major wave for travel applications and its influence will be enormous.

Continue reading "Mobile Travel Analysis"

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"LCC will sell anything to anyone if it generates them more money"

EFT Ancillary Revenue in Travel 2008 Special, Dublin

Despite having access to attractive consumer segments, only a few airlines generate significant ancillary revenue and these include the likes of Ryanair with non-traditional business models.

Continue reading ""LCC will sell anything to anyone if it generates them more money""

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Focus on your retailing strategy before selling ancillary items

EFT Ancillary Revenue in Travel 2008 Special, Dublin

Ancillary revenue is surely a proposition which airlines seemingly can't do without especially when companies are constantly working on covering all of customers' travel needs and keep them loyal by packaging additional content.

Continue reading "Focus on your retailing strategy before selling ancillary items "

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VisitBritain partners bmi for its first white label initiative

National tourism agency VisitBritain has 'white labeled' its online shop for the first time.

Continue reading "VisitBritain partners bmi for its first white label initiative"

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Podcast: Hear Berthold Trenkel

President Asia Pacific for Carlson Wagonlit Travel

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A record half-year profit for Wotif.com

Accommodation website Wotif.com has posted a record half-year profit of $17.1 million, representing a 43% increase over the prior year.

Continue reading "A record half-year profit for Wotif.com"

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Travelport GDS signs its largest European hosting agreement to date

Travelport GDS has signed an agreement to provide Czech Airlines (CSA) with a wide-range of hosting services to support the airline with key activities such as bookings, ticketing and passenger check-in. 

Continue reading "Travelport GDS signs its largest European hosting agreement to date"

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"Recognise that ancillary revenue is important to an airline's prosperity"

EFT Ancillary Revenue in Travel 2008 Special, Dublin

Maximising your ancillary return is not just about commissions, products or technology but also your ancillary strategy which should now be at the core of any airlines' business.

Continue reading ""Recognise that ancillary revenue is important to an airline's prosperity""

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Reservation and Channel Management Technology - More Education Needed?

Recently, I have been following discussions in various hospitality related blogs and groups concerning the selection and implementation of booking engines and other distribution technologies by hotels.

Continue reading "Reservation and Channel Management Technology - More Education Needed?"

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Stretching the supermarket e-commerce analogy to an airline environment

EFT Ancillary Revenue in Travel 2008 Special, Dublin

With websites garnering millions of unique visits per month and sizable opt-in e-mail subscriber lists, low-cost airlines have vast customer bases they are able to sell directly to. To what extent are they ready to expand their product basket to extract maximum revenues from their customers?

Continue reading "Stretching the supermarket e-commerce analogy to an airline environment"

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Understanding consumer retail behaviour for driving ancillary revenues

EFT Ancillary Revenue in Travel 2008 Special, Dublin

Even as experts convey that ancillary strategy should be at the core of any airlines' business, there are quite a few challenges, which deter airlines from achieving the same.

Continue reading "Understanding consumer retail behaviour for driving ancillary revenues"

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SkyMall and GuestLogix join hands to offer an enhanced on-board shopping experience

In-flight catalog shopping provider SkyMall and GuestLogix Inc. have signed a multi-year agreement to deliver a new on-board shopping service integrated with SkyMall's on-board catalogs.

Continue reading "SkyMall and GuestLogix join hands to offer an enhanced on-board shopping experience"

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Learning about customer before making decisions on their behalf

CRM in Travel USA 2008 Special

Aramark Harrison Lodging (AHL) has made significant investments in the latest technology and data experts to understand the demographics, psychographics and, when available, direct feedback from those constituents to drive effective products and marketing messages.

Continue reading "Learning about customer before making decisions on their behalf"

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What is critical in successfully extending your brand presence into virtual communities?

CRM in Travel USA 2008 Special

Companies are redefining their "best customer" strategies to develop relationships emphasising differential treatment for their high value customers.

Continue reading "What is critical in successfully extending your brand presence into virtual communities?"

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Carlson Wagonlit breaks all its records in 2007

Carlson Wagonlit Travel has stated that it is now the world's leading travel management company.

Continue reading "Carlson Wagonlit breaks all its records in 2007"

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Cox & Kings to target over-45s with online ads

Cox & Kings is to introduce an online campaign featuring niche online channels to target the over-45s.

Continue reading "Cox & Kings to target over-45s with online ads"

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MakeMyTrip initiates m-commerce platform for travelers in India

In what is being described as the first of its kind development in India, online travel company MakeMyTrip.com is powering m-commerce platform for travelers, allowing them to search, book, pay and even receive their ticket on their mobile phones at no additional cost.

Continue reading "MakeMyTrip initiates m-commerce platform for travelers in India"

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WRI gets new chief executive in Feargal Mooney

The Board of Web Reservations International has appointed Feargal Mooney as Chief Executive of the company with immediate effect.

Continue reading "WRI gets new chief executive in Feargal Mooney"

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BA and Virgin Atlantic settle price-fixing claims

British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have agreed to pay $200m to settle a US class-action lawsuit to compensate 8m customers who were cheated in a price-fixing scam.

Continue reading "BA and Virgin Atlantic settle price-fixing claims"

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Asiana Airlines forays into LCC segment

South Korea's Asiana Airlines is to enter the budget airline market by taking a controlling stake in Pusan International Air.

Continue reading "Asiana Airlines forays into LCC segment "

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Accor appoints Michael Issenberg as Chairman and COO of Asia Pacific

Accor has chosen Michael Issenberg as Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of Accor Asia Pacific and as a member of Accor Executive Committee effective 4 February 2008.

Continue reading "Accor appoints Michael Issenberg as Chairman and COO of Asia Pacific"

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TripAdvisor acquires UK's Holiday Watchdog

Travel community TripAdvisor has acquired Holiday Watchdog, a user-generated travel site in the UK.

Continue reading "TripAdvisor acquires UK's Holiday Watchdog"

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US Airways changes its FFP to offset fuel prices

US Airways is changing its frequent flyer programme to help offset record fuel costs.

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Priceline expects to generate $7-$7.3 billion in gross travel bookings this year

Priceline.com Incorporated posted $32.9 million in net income for the fourth quarter, which compares to $13.2 million in the same period a year ago.

Continue reading "Priceline expects to generate $7-$7.3 billion in gross travel bookings this year"

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Should Your UGC Strategy be About Customer Acquisition or Retention?

Interview with John Lee, VP Brand Marketing and Communications, Embassy Suites, Hilton Hotels Corporation

Continue reading "Should Your UGC Strategy be About Customer Acquisition or Retention?"

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Podcast: Cyril Ranque, VP Asia Pacific Partner Services Group, Expedia

discusses 3rd party distribution trends and the evolution of Asian travel supplier and OTA relationship

Continue reading "Podcast: Cyril Ranque, VP Asia Pacific Partner Services Group, Expedia"

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Inaugural Ancillary Revenue in Travel 2008 sells out

Only in its first year Ancillary Revenue in Travel 2008 sold out, So I would like to apologise to the people that we have had to turn away.  But I do have some good news…

Continue reading "Inaugural Ancillary Revenue in Travel 2008 sells out"

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Providing flexibility and allowing customers to do what they want

CRM in Travel USA 2008 Special

Travel service providers are increasingly seeking ways to influence people while they are in the research phase on the Internet. Also, they are working on ways to reinforce brand messages during the post booking communication that is increasingly taking place on the Internet.

Continue reading "Providing flexibility and allowing customers to do what they want"

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Thomas Cook snaps up Hotels4U: media

Thomas Cook has reportedly snapped up a hotel booking website Hotels4U.com in a deal worth £21.8 million.

Continue reading "Thomas Cook snaps up Hotels4U: media "

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Norway's NSB buy of 20% stake in Travel AS cleared: media

Norwegian state railway company Norges Stadsbaner's proposed acquisition of a 20% stake in the Norwegian online travel agency Travel AS has been cleared by the European Commission.

Continue reading "Norway's NSB buy of 20% stake in Travel AS cleared: media"

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New hotel content management solution

Pegasus Solutions, Inc. and Leonardo Media have entered into an agreement to create ContentHub, a hotel content management solution.

Continue reading "New hotel content management solution"

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Online travel agents eye largest possible chunk of budding markets

Online travel agencies are continuously expanding their businesses in markets like Asia, either by launching operations afresh or picking up partners for inorganic growth.

Continue reading "Online travel agents eye largest possible chunk of budding markets"

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BA pilots express concern over the launch of transatlantic subsidiary

A union representing British Airways Plc pilots has described the carrier's plan to start a subsidiary named OpenSkies as a "Trojan horse" aimed at reducing pay and conditions for staff.

Continue reading "BA pilots express concern over the launch of transatlantic subsidiary"

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Kayak.com makes tracking process easier

Kayak.com has enhanced its Fare Alerts to make the "tracking process easier for both the flexible traveler and travelers with a specific itinerary in mind."

Continue reading "Kayak.com makes tracking process easier "

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New travel technology platform for American Express' travel agency network

American Express Consumer Travel Network and Revelex Corporation have signed an agreement to jointly develop a new travel technology platform for American Express' travel agency network.

Continue reading "New travel technology platform for American Express' travel agency network"

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Expedia sees "mixed bag" from economy: media

Recently, Travelport had indicated that there might not be any major impact on travel as a result of an economic slowdown.

Continue reading "Expedia sees "mixed bag" from economy: media "

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Online travel agents eye largest possible chunk of budding markets

Online travel agencies are continuously expanding their businesses in markets like Asia, either by launching operations afresh or picking up partners for inorganic growth.

Continue reading "Online travel agents eye largest possible chunk of budding markets"

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Heightened hotel occupancy squeezes Travel Management Companies

Huge growth means hotels are experiencing unprecedented levels of occupancy throughout Asia. Demand is at such a high that - according to Lodging Econometrics - there are currently 1,555 hotels under construction, containing some 366,000 rooms in 24 countries across the region (Business Travel News, 4.2.08). 

Continue reading "Heightened hotel occupancy squeezes Travel Management Companies"

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Virgin Atlantic challenges travelers' expectations of air travel

Virgin Atlantic Airways has launched its new US marketing campaign, Love from Above.

Continue reading "Virgin Atlantic challenges travelers' expectations of air travel"

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Continental to distribute a record $158 million in profit sharing payments

Continental Airlines will distribute a record $158 million in profit sharing payments to tens of thousands of employees at more than 200 locations worldwide on Feb. 14, 2008, Valentine's Day.

Continue reading "Continental to distribute a record $158 million in profit sharing payments"

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Has ancillary revenue gone too far: insurance for a 3 minute rail journey?

This weekend’s Guardian published the following story; it seems that railways are following the airlines’ lead with ancillary revenue.  Please let us know what you think, by posting your comments.

Continue reading "Has ancillary revenue gone too far: insurance for a 3 minute rail journey?"

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Providing flexibility and allowing customers to do what they want

CRM in Travel USA 2008 Special

Travel service providers are increasingly seeking ways to influence people while they are in the research phase on the Internet. Also, they are working on ways to reinforce brand messages during the post booking communication that is increasingly taking place on the Internet

Continue reading "Providing flexibility and allowing customers to do what they want"

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Online travel agents wary of airline consolidation

Online travel agents could feel the pinch from airline consolidation as per the indications from senior executives from Orbitz Worldwide and Priceline.com.

Continue reading "Online travel agents wary of airline consolidation "

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Travelzest acquires The Malaysia Experience

Travelzest plc, an online travel group offering specialist travel programmes, has acquired the assets of The Malaysia Experience from Bob Mortimore Travel Limited for £45,000.

Continue reading "Travelzest acquires The Malaysia Experience"

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Continental to distribute a record $158 million in profit sharing payments

Continental Airlines will distribute a record $158 million in profit sharing payments to tens of thousands of employees at more than 200 locations worldwide on Feb. 14, 2008, Valentine's Day.

Continue reading "Continental to distribute a record $158 million in profit sharing payments"

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Virgin Atlantic challenges travelers' expectations of air travel

Virgin Atlantic Airways has launched its new US marketing campaign, Love from Above.

Continue reading "Virgin Atlantic challenges travelers' expectations of air travel"

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"GDS will remain as the most effective platform for global distribution"

TDS Asia 2008 Special

Recently, low-cost long-haul carrier AirAsia X's CEO Azran Osman-Rani acknowledged that even as legacy carriers have their place, the mass global travel is clearly heading towards the LCC model and travelers are voting with their wallets.

Continue reading ""GDS will remain as the most effective platform for global distribution""

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New online booking site for remotest hotels in India

Web solutions company Indsoft Systems has launched Lomanika.com, a site which claims to have more than 2000 hotels from India's metros as well as remotest regions.

Continue reading "New online booking site for remotest hotels in India"

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OpenTravel CRM user community crosses 2000-mark

OpenTravel CRM, a web-based travel CRM, marketing and back office solution for travel agencies, has reported that its user base has grown to over 2,000 users in a little over four months since its launch.

Continue reading "OpenTravel CRM user community crosses 2000-mark "

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Mondial Assistance to introduce new service specifically for business travellers

Mondial Assistance is expanding and developing its existing product portfolio for the business travel market, harnessing its expertise in international travel and risk management.

Continue reading "Mondial Assistance to introduce new service specifically for business travellers"

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Farecast introduces free international airfare predictions

Travel search site Farecast.com has launched free international predictions for more than 200 markets from US cities to the popular destinations in Europe, Mexico, the Caribbean and Canada. 

Continue reading "Farecast introduces free international airfare predictions"

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How do the customers feel about the airlines?

A few months ago we delved into Facebook with the intention of getting the reaction from consumers about ancillary revenue.  Instead the users led the discussion in a much more general direction covering ethics and general treatment they had received from airlines.

Continue reading "How do the customers feel about the airlines?"

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Airline industry profitability in China will be under considerable pressure this year

None of China's airlines, with the exception of Air China, are expected to make profits on international routes this year.

Continue reading "Airline industry profitability in China will be under considerable pressure this year"

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New ad campaign to personify the 'down-to-earth' nature of the Premier Inn brand

Britain's Premier Inn is to launch a multi-million advertising campaign featuring British comedian, Lenny Henry, later this month.

Continue reading "New ad campaign to personify the 'down-to-earth' nature of the Premier Inn brand"

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Expedia posts $65.4m net income in 4Q

Expedia posted fourth-quarter net income of $65.4 million, or 22 cents a share, down 2.7% from $67.1 million, or 20 cents a share, a year earlier.

Continue reading "Expedia posts $65.4m net income in 4Q"

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80+ speakers announced for the Travel Distribution Summit Europe including Ryanair, TUI, Hilton, Facebook, YouTube, Starwood, KLM, STA, Travelport, IHG, lastminute, Expedia, SAS, Flybe…

In 2007 travel distribution, and particularly online distribution, took a massive step forward.  Our industry is busy embracing Web 2.0 and travel companies are at the forefront of exploiting the abundance of opportunities this seismic shift presents.  Along with the many opportunities, key challenges have also arisen which when faced with a potentially uncertain economic environment could see travel companies sink or swim.

Continue reading "80+ speakers announced for the Travel Distribution Summit Europe including Ryanair, TUI, Hilton, Facebook, YouTube, Starwood, KLM, STA, Travelport, IHG, lastminute, Expedia, SAS, Flybe…"

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Avoiding the increased cost of travel due to rising fuel costs by packing lighter

Spirit Airlines has announced its new luggage policy giving passengers the option to avoid the increased cost of travel due to rising fuel costs by packing lighter.

Continue reading "Avoiding the increased cost of travel due to rising fuel costs by packing lighter"

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Survey indicates agents' growing awareness and reliance on GDS promotions

A survey has indicated that travel agents continue to increase their reliance on global distribution systems promotions for hotel bookings.

Continue reading "Survey indicates agents' growing awareness and reliance on GDS promotions"

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Profits may decline next year: Ryanair

The European airline sector is currently facing a cyclical downturn, according to Ryanair's CEO, Michael O'Leary.

Continue reading "Profits may decline next year: Ryanair "

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A self-service platform for travel suppliers to target small leisure groups

I'm in! (www.imin.com) has launched its new Partner Network, a self-service platform where travel suppliers can build and manage trip ideas, packages and itineraries to market to small leisure groups.

Continue reading "A self-service platform for travel suppliers to target small leisure groups"

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Investment in Asia Pacific and Europe affects Travelzoo's earnings

Internet media company Travelzoo Inc reported fourth-quarter net income of $46,000, with diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.00, down from $0.26 in the prior-year period.

Continue reading "Investment in Asia Pacific and Europe affects Travelzoo's earnings"

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Podcast: American Airlines talks about its ancillary revenue strategy

Charlie Sultan, MD Sales, Planning and Analysis, American Airlines outlines how they are growing their ancillary revenues, future plans and how third party partners will have to distribute inventory on the airline’s terms in the future.

Continue reading "Podcast: American Airlines talks about its ancillary revenue strategy"

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Carnival Cruise Lines' on-line marketing initiatives enjoying unprecedented success

Carnival Freedom Senior Cruise Director’s Blog, FunShipIsland.com, CarnivalConnections.com Each Achieve One Million Visitor Mark

Continue reading "Carnival Cruise Lines' on-line marketing initiatives enjoying unprecedented success"

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Mobissimo brings personalisation, content and context to travel search

Travel search engine Mobissimo has launched a new version that brings personalisation, content and context to travel search.

Continue reading "Mobissimo brings personalisation, content and context to travel search"

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Ctrip.com tipped to "consistently" outperform investor's expectations

Ctrip.com is expected to continue to broaden its leadership position within the travel agency industry by taking share from smaller players, leveraging its solid service-oriented execution, expanding business aggressively while implementing disciplined cost controls, according to an analyst.

Continue reading "Ctrip.com tipped to "consistently" outperform investor's expectations"

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OAG and FCm form strategic alliance for web-based solution

OAG and FCm Travel Solutions have formed a strategic alliance "to deliver a ground-breaking one-stop travel planning and booking solution to revolutionize the way people arrange and manage business travel."

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Abacus names Robert Bailey as President and CEO

Robert Bailey has been named as President and CEO of Abacus International effective from 14 April 2008. 

Continue reading "Abacus names Robert Bailey as President and CEO"

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Continental Airlines focuses on digital communications strategy in the UK market

Continental Airlines will use the Neolane software platform to create one-to-one personalised marketing communications.

Continue reading "Continental Airlines focuses on digital communications strategy in the UK market"

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Tracking consumers online discussions real-time

Collette Vacations has selected Radian6 to track the online buzz around consumers' travel plans and experiences of the destinations they serve.

Continue reading "Tracking consumers online discussions real-time"

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Venere.com acquires Worldby.com

Venere.com has acquired the Italian online hotel booking agency Worldby.com.

Continue reading "Venere.com acquires Worldby.com"

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Connecting business travelers on the road

TripIt has launched a new business travel service (http://business.tripit.com) that helps business travelers, road warriors and travel arrangers simplify and organise their business trips.

Continue reading "Connecting business travelers on the road"

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American Express drove $24.6b in travel sales during 2007

American Express Business Travel garnered $6.3 billion in new and renewed contracts for 2007.

Continue reading "American Express drove $24.6b in travel sales during 2007"

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Wotif.com acquires Asia Web Direct

Wotif.com Holdings Limited (Wotif.com) has entered into an agreement to acquire all the issued shares in Asia Web Direct (HK) Limited.

Continue reading "Wotif.com acquires Asia Web Direct"

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Facebook UK Chief to outline views on social distribution at TDS Europe 2008

It’s official, Facebook has taken over the mantle of the most talked about company on the web, and no more so than in the marketing and e-commerce departments of travel companies. Why? Because web savvy travel businesses are busy embracing web 2.0, and ignoring Facebook in their social media strategy would be like ignoring Google in their search strategy. Whether we like it or not, Facebook already has a huge influence on the decision making and purchasing behaviour of online travellers. If you sell travel on the web then you need to understand how Facebook plans to let you reach its audience, how much it is likely to cost and how you can make ‘social’ marketing and distribution pay.

Continue reading "Facebook UK Chief to outline views on social distribution at TDS Europe 2008"

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Opodo's decentralisation strategy delivers positive results

European online travel agency Opodo posted net profit worth €6.6m in 2007.

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Yahoo! to evaluate Microsoft $44.6b proposal

Post $44.6 billion offer from software giant Microsoft Corp., Yahoo! Inc. has stated that its Board of Directors "will evaluate this proposal carefully and promptly in the context of Yahoo!'s strategic plans and pursue the best course of action to maximise long-term value for shareholders."

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Who owns the customer in this new online environment?

CRM in Travel USA 2008 Special

With the web playing an ever increasing role in people's daily lives, travel service providers should be looking for as many ways as they can to influence, interact and communicate with consumers on the web, according to Ken Leeder, Founder and CEO, RealTravel.

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Delivering one remarkable stay after another

CRM in Travel USA 2008 Special

At Omni Hotels, we know that one single event can affect the entire stay for our guests.

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Summer vacation bookings unhurt by slower consumer spending

Thomas Cook has indicated that demand for both winter and summer holidays was exceeding supply in current trading.

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