Author: admin

  • Focus: Amadeus signs partnership tackle UNICEF

    The partnership, announced earlier in London, will enable travel providers to lift money for UNICEF by giving customers the chance to make a micro-donation when buying travel online.

    The deal is being described as a latest equivalent of the Change for Good scheme, which sees passengers donate spare coins following an overseas trip.

    That scheme has raised in far more than £150 million over the last 20 years.

    “This joint initiative represents an innovative model to drive donations.

    “The technology solution Amadeus has provided to UNICEF as a philanthropic contribution may also help this international organisation harness a collective, global action to boost funds for kids.

    “The process itself could be simple for travellers: a single click, it’s it,” said Tomás López Fernebrand, senior vp, general counsel and company secretary, Amadeus.

    The micro-donation process can be user-friendly, allowing travellers to only add a donation to UNICEF as they complete the shopping process online.

    During the primary stage of this programme, selected travel providers and sellers, corresponding to airline websites and online travel agents, will integrate a ‘check box’ on their online booking pages.

    If a traveller chooses to make a donation, they’re going to receive a confirmation email.

    Spanish flag-carrier Iberia and Australian airline Qantas are both in discussions with Amadeus over the launch of the method.


    UNICEF works in additional than 190 countries and territories to assist children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence

    For participating travel brands, the product will exist as a neutral standalone system, cross-channel merchant engine.

    This includes a donation interface to assemble donation data it’s associated with an Amadeus payment gateway.

    The donation payment is processed as a separate transaction from the travel purchase.

    While simplifying things for the partner and for UNICEF, the method is likewise scalable, allowing the UN body to roll it out to other sectors through the years.

    “Partnerships are on the heart of the way UNICEF achieves results for kids, within the field but in addition within the area of fundraising.

    “Many of UNICEF’s existing corporate partners have established track-records of raising funds for UNICEF and interesting their staff and customers in UNICEF’s work.

    “We believe that this new initiative with Amadeus will significantly improve UNICEF’s ability to arrive plenty of people online and to produce them with a ‘one click’ opportunity to aid a few of the world’s most vulnerable children survive and thrive,” said Tim Hunter, international fundraising director, UNICEF.

    image[2] align=’right’ border=’0′ style=’padding-left:10px;’ alt=” border=0 >
    Funds raised may also help vulnerable children across the world

    To launch this partnership, Amadeus and UNICEF hosted a roundtable event in London where the role of innovation and the significance of partnerships between the non-public sector, UN agencies and NGOs were discussed.

    The roundtable also featured a contribution from professor Linda Scott, DP World chair for entrepreneurship and innovation at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford.

    “Addressing a few of the major development and social challenges in today’s world requires increasing collaboration between the non-public and never-for-profit sector,” Scott explained.

    “Deploying a few of the processes, technology and expertise found in the personal sector could make a major difference to organisations that depend upon funding and donations.

    “Both Amadeus and UNICEF are leaders of their respective fields with significant global reach and scale, making them like minded to make certain this collaboration is successful.

    “The potential for the initiative to generate significant donations is limitless.”

    Scott also moved to quell suspicions the move was an easy PR exercise from Amadeus.

    “The corporate world has grown tremendously in wealth over the former century and is now coming to comprehend its role inside the not-for-profit sector.

    “As we move far from the conventional aid givers, nation states and churches as an example, the role of corporate sponsors has developed.

    “Amadeus and UNICEF offer two networks – one for collecting wealth, one for distribution. Within the middle is the travel industry; the connection is useful for all parties.”

    Recommended

  • Investment continues to drive growth inside the Australian tourism industry

    Investment in Australian tourism infrastructure demonstrates strong growth in line with a brand new report from Tourism Research Australia (TRA).

    The TRA 2013 Tourism Investment Monitor, released today, confirms the Australian tourism investment pipeline is estimated at $44.1 billion in 2012, up 22 per cent on 2011.

    “We’ve seen continuing growth inside the tourism investment pipeline over the past one year, with a further $7.9 billion within the pipeline in 2012,” Dr Leo Jago, Chief Economist and General Manager of TRA, said.

    “Investment in new aviation fleets by our leading airlines continues to dominate the expansion in tourism investment” confirmed Dr Jago.

    “This investment though should be better balanced with adequate levels of investment in airports, in addition to accommodation and humanities and recreation infrastructure, to completely leverage increased aviation capacities in and around Australia,” Dr Jago cautioned.

    On the back of continued strong international visitor arrivals and high accommodation occupancy rates, growth within the investment pipeline further confirms Australia is a horny environment to take a position in tourism infrastructure.

    The TRA report draws on data sources from the Deloitte Access Economics Investment Monitor, property data from Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels, and the STR Global Asia Pacific Pipeline database.

    Key findings from the report include:
    *    The tourism investment pipeline is estimated to were $44.1 billion in 2012, up by 22 per cent on 2011.
    *    The 2012 pipeline consisted of $5.6 billion in accommodation investment; $22.5 billion in new aircraft investment; $6.4 billion in airport infrastructure investment; and $9.6 billion in arts and recreation services investment.
    *    25 hotel/resort major asset transfers were recorded in 2012 at a complete value of $1.4 billion – the top value for the reason that Global Financial Crisis.
    *    If the $5.6 billion invested within the accommodation pipeline is realised, this can provide a further 9,760 rooms to satisfy growing accommodation demand.
    *    Moreover, when taking new accommodation supply from mixed use developments under consideration, total supply of latest accommodation rooms could potentially provide around 12,250 rooms.

  • Focus: Breaking Travel News interview: María del Carmen de Reparaz, director of tourism Promotion, PromPeru

    Lima, capital of Peru, will welcome the sector Travel Awards South & Central America Gala Ceremony later this year, capping the destination’s rise as a tourism superpower.

    Here Breaking Travel News chats with María del Carmen de Reparaz, director of tourism Promotion, PromPeru, to debate the secrets behind the country’s success.

    Breaking Travel News: Many travellers shall be conversant in the highlights of Peru, including Machu Picchu, but are you able to let us know a little bit about what else the destination has to offer

    María del Carmen de Reparaz: Our wonderful Machu Picchu is unquestionably a logo of Peru and Inca Culture for the world´s eyes, but Peru has certainly a lot more to supply.

    We have a singular geography that gives sandy beaches, dunes, needless to say the Andes, and a large range of forests, the Amazon included.

    We are to boot a melting pot of cultures; here’s what makes us unique and fascinating for travellers.

    For example we’ve got the Moche Route that involves Peru´s Mochica culture, ancient Peruvians who lived within the Northern coast of Peru before Incas time, they were those that built the foremost magnificent clay city within the Americas, in addition to achieved the best levels of artistry in pottery and jewelry making.

    Moche remains are available within the Trujillo and Chiclayo regions, places where people still keep a number of the customs in their ancestors, akin to fishing in totora (reed) boats and pottery.

    The North coast also has the most delicious cuisines within the country.

    For those that enjoy culture but with a twist of adventure and nature, there’s a brilliant off-the-beaten-track option, here is Chachapoyas and Kuelap located inside the Northern Amazon area.

    Chachapoyas is additionally a pre Inca culture, often called “the people of the clouds” as they constructed stone cities in very high places; here’s a great trip for trek enthusiasts.

    The Amazon was selected as some of the World´s Seven Natural Wonders not goodbye ago, so Chachapoyas can perfectly join a visit to the Amazon Area.

    These are only a few options, however the final analysis i need to target is that Peru has an option for each sort of traveller, whether or not they are approaching a family trip or on a honey moon, or with friends, Peru has now a large choice of touristic services available from luxury to conventional services, we aren’t just the magical and exotic country, which we’re proud to be, but additionally we provide the ideal travel experience. 

    BTN: PromPeru recently launched an advertising campaign under the headline ‘Peru, land of hidden treasures’. Are you able to let us know in regards to the inspiration behind this campaign How was it received in key international markets

    MCR: Yes, the campaign ‘Peru, land of hidden treasures’ was launched in 2012. The belief behind this spot – that has the format of a film trailer- is to involve the spectator and provoke emotions on them.

    Under the slogan “Don´t watch the movie, live it for real” we wish to invite potential travellers to come back to Peru and allow them to know that we’ve got many more places to provide besides Machu Picchu, and that we have got an outstanding offer of tourism facilities, that yes: we’re an exotic place but we even have top hotels and a luxury offer of services for travelers.

    This campaign involved a tremendous investment, both for the creation and production in addition to for the communications and marketing actions.

    So far it’s been launched in our key markets, consisting of the uk, Canada, EEUU, Argentina, Chile, Brazil, France, Germany, Spain and Italy. In 2013, we can present it in South Korea, China, Japan, Australia and Mexico.

    The campaign have been received wonderfully, for instance, in December it was utilized in our stand on the World Travel Market, and we were surprised to grasp that there has been an award for the precise use of video as a marketing tool, which was given to Peru.

    We received excellent feedback, which makes us more than pleased; this has set a milestone for Peru relating to what we had ever done to advertise our country abroad.

    BTN: Which markets to do you notice growing in importance for Peru over the subsequent five years

    MCR: Asia and emerging markets equivalent to Russia will gain more importance for us within the next years.

    So far Japan is already the biggest Asian marketplace for us at once, but other countries as South Korea are gaining presence available in the market share for us.

    This is a mirrored image of the world´s economy; the income in Asian markets is increasing that’s reflected in a far better demand of luxury services and products. On this sense, we’re very interested by spreading to those markets.

    This year we’re going to host preliminary activities for the tourism trade inside the emerging Asian countries, consisting of Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and India. We glance forward for the result of this primary approach.

    BTN: Peru is known because the leading culinary destination in South America. What do you think that it’s that puts the rustic at the map during this regard

    MCR: Yes, and never only South America, Peru was chosen because the World’s Leading Culinary Destination on the last edition of the arena Travel Awards too.

    Food is a reason of pride for Peruvians so being recognised for our food is wonderful. 

    What makes us excellent in gastronomy is the range of native products combined with a brand new generation of very committed chefs that work incessantly to place our cuisine within the world´s eyes, opening top restaurants in a few of the most significant cities.

    Peruvians are very exigent with food; many say we now have a troublesome palate once we go abroad.

    I think this is able to be another motive too, we don’t accept an “ok” food, we predict our food to be perfect, and this reflects on what the remainder of the sector perceives.

    BTN: As you mentioned, Peru was recently recognised by the area Travel Awards. How did it feel to say this prestigious honour How do you’re feeling to be hosting the development later this year

    MCR: The arena Travel Awards recognition have been important for us; it was a reason of joy for Promperú and all Peruvians.

    This award makes us would like to work harder to position Peru inside the tourism world map, this isn’t just a commitment of Promperú because the country´s tourism board but in addition the commitment of the tourism industry altogether; we work very closely for a similar goal and the consequences are being very positive.

    In this feeling, we’re very exciting to be the host of the development this year; this can be a unique opportunity with a view to be very beneficial for everyone. We glance forward to welcoming you all in a number of months.

    More Information

    For additional information on visiting Peru seriously look into the official website.

    Recommended

  • News: ECI Partners takes controlling stake in Amber Travel

    ECI Partners, the united kingdom growth focused mid-market private equity firm, has taken a majority stake in premium rail travel company, Amber Travel.

    The transaction values the business at over £50 million and represents a successful exit for Primary Capital who invested in Amber in 2005.

    With a turnover of £67 million once a year, York-based Amber Travel is the UK’s leading specialist, rail tour business, offering escorted group holidays to destinations world wide.

    The business is growing strongly with turnover growth of over 20 per cent anticipated in 2013.

    Established in 1980, the corporate now offers 300 different itineraries across 40 countries, starting from Europe to Africa, North America, Asia, Russia and Australia.

    Last year, 50,000 customers went on an Amber rail holiday.

    The company’s strong concentrate on customer support is borne out by high levels of repeat business.

    Amber caters for a growing demographic group of relatively affluent, mostly retired travellers who prioritise travel spend within their household budgets.

    The company operates through three brands Great Rail Journeys, Treyn and RailSelect.com.

    Amber Travel executive chairman Nick Cust said: “We are delighted to welcome ECI Partners aboard Amber. 

    “As a management team we’re very thinking about partnering with ECI, an organisation with a protracted and positive track record of past and current ownership of travel businesses.”

    Recommended

  • WTTC 2013: Solomons offers insight to Global Summit

    Understanding your customers goes far beyond having a sturdy brand; while safety, cleanliness and an awesome night’s sleep remain the head three priorities for hotel guests, in line with Richard Solomons, chief executive, Intercontinental Hotel Group.

    “We must understand the client better and ensure our brands describe and deliver what they wish,” he explained.

    “We announced two new brands last year and had huge interest around those, because it’s clear that it’s no more of the identical – the brands are targeting well,” he said during a session entitled ‘Hotels: where next for the world’s biggest hotel brands’ at the second and final day of the 13th Global Summit, organised by the sector Travel and Tourism Council.

    The top three requirements in hotels – forget the logo and its message – are safety, cleanliness and good night’s sleep.

    But the question is how will we deliver a targeted, more personalised service” Solomons asked.

    “I think what must have is a transparent corporate strategy, and determine where we’re going as an organization; in addition to decide how, where and why we deliver value.

    “The brand is set definition; again as an industry we’re attempting to entice everybody on a regular basis.

    “This creates commoditisation within the industry and types aren’t clear. What a brand stands for, who your consumers are and the way you relate to them are the major factors within the industry today,” he continued.

    The Global Summit is being hosted by Jumeirah at Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi.