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Category: News

  • News: ITB Berlin 2013: Positive interim summary of ITB Berlin 2013

    During the 3 days reserved for trade visitors at ITB Berlin there has been a slight increase in buyer numbers from the united states, Middle East and Africa. That’s the results of an initial analysis of the world’s leading travel trade exhibition, that is currently occurring from 6 to ten March 2013. The collection of trade visitors and buyers from Spain, Italy and Greece was 1.7 per cent below last year’s figures. This trend also reflects the commercial situation in these countries, where citizens currently plan to take less trips abroad. In contrast, there have been more visitors to the show who declared they might be back. ITB Berlin reported a rise in trade visitors authorised to make purchasing decisions, a trend which the ITB Buyers’ Circle confirmed.

    At the ITB Berlin Convention mobile and social media events were in sensationally high demand and reported a 50 per cent rise in participants compared with 2012. The ITB Hospitality Day and ITB Business Travel Days also registered increased attendance. In 2013 visitor numbers at the first two days of the convention were 25 per cent higher than in 2012. Over the primary three days, participation within the social media and mobile travel services workshops and lectures on the eTravel World was twice last year’s figure. The ITB matchmaking event for bloggers, which this year passed off for the 1st time, was also all right received. Around 100 bloggers from Germany and abroad were ready to meet with exhibitors over a period of 2 days. a complete of 250 bloggers from world wide visited ITB Berlin.

    Commenting, Dr. Martin Buck, Director of the Competence Center Travel & Logistics Messe Berlin, said: “ITB Berlin has once more confirmed its role because the industry meeting place where growing emphasis is being placed on content, informal searches for management positions inside the hotel trade, as an example, and examining the longer term prospects of tourism.” On 9 and 10 March 2013 ITB Berlin opens its doors to the public.

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  • Concur adds advanced mobile communications and messaging platform

    Concur, a world leader in integrated travel and expense management, today announced it acquired privately-held conTgo, a number one cloud-based mobile communications and messaging platform for the worldwide travel industry. conTgo, based inside the UK and Australia, provides its communication platform to corporate customers and TMCs.

    conTgo adds comprehensive location-based services with advanced mobile communications and messaging capabilities to Concur’s offerings, extending the worth of the Concur T&E Cloud for partners, suppliers and clients alike.

    Concur expects to leverage conTgo’s market-leading technology to offer quite a number new services designed to optimize the traveller experience. By utilizing itinerary data and site information with insight and context from past behavior, Concur and Concur T&E Cloud partners could have the technology and capability to deliver applications which can:
    ·      Safeguard employees despite where they book – Proactively manage duty of care programs by consolidating and matching booking data with risk intelligence so companies can track, locate and communicate with travelers 24/7 with relevant value-added services.

    ·      Make travel plans around colleagues – Enable travelers to devise a visit using location and hotel data from select colleagues in order that everyone can stay within the same hotel and/or city.

    ·      Get discounts or offers from favorite merchants – Enable delivery of offers to travelers from frequently-visited merchants in line with location and itinerary data.

    ·      Take advantage of a travel delay – Enable delivery of offers to travelers from airport merchants within the event of a flight delay, turning the inconvenience into a chance for the traveler and the merchant.

    ·      Carpool with colleagues – Enable travelers who arrive on the same airport and stay on the same hotel to catch a ride together through a service that associates all of them with an available ground transportation provider, saving money and time.

    “We continue to find game-changing technologies that enhance the business travel experience and advance our vision for definitely the right Trip,” said Michael Hilton, EVP of Product Strategy at Concur. “The conTgo team developed an award-winning solution for corporations to trace, locate and communicate with employees no matter their location. Working along with the Concur ecosystem of application developers, customers, and suppliers, we plan to deliver numerous new location-based applications that benefit companies and their travelers alike.”

    “We are enthusiastic about this perfect fit of both technology and culture between our companies,” said conTgo founders Henrik Conradsen and Johnny Thorsen, who join Concur in new senior management roles. “We will continue to deliver duty of care offerings to our customers and partners and plan to exploit our award-winning technology for brand new services that support Concur’s vision of The ideal Trip.”

    Concur customers worldwide can immediately enhance their existing corporate travel booking and expense management solutions with the addition of conTgo’s award-winning duty of care solutions and the Concur Locate and Alert offering, that may leverage the conTgo platform.  The combined solutions may be the only duty of care solutions out there to watch travel whatever the source of booking – supporting the rage of Open Booking.

    The terms of the purchase weren’t disclosed. Neither the financial terms nor the revenue impact of the conTgo business are material to the Company’s business outlook for fiscal 2013. As a result of increased operating costs with regards to acquired headcount, the corporate expects modest dilution to its expected non-GAAP operating margin range for Fiscal 2013 and expects the purchase to be neutral to accretive to non-GAAP operating margin in Fiscal 2014.

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  • News: WTM Latin America signs big names for inaugural show

    WTM Latin America has created a dedicated area at the exhibition floor to showcase organisations with global representation.

    The ‘Global Village’ will host international hotel chains, technology companies and wholesalers who’re heading to São Paulo this April for the inaugural World Travel Market Latin America, with many exhibiting at a Brazilian travel trade event for the primary time.

    World Travel Market Latin America, the leading global event for the Latin American travel industry, also confirms that Accor is the official Hotel Partner for the show.

    Accor recently strengthened its leadership in Latin America with the $265m purchase of Mexican hotel chain Grupo Posadas.

    It has greater than 200 hotels in Latin America and the Caribbean.

    Hyatt Hotels Corporation is heavily specializing in Brazil, following its strategic decision to expand outside its core North American market.

    It has nine hotels open in Latin America, with another thirteen Hyatt-branded properties within the confirmed pipeline.

    Accor and Hyatt are joined within the Global Village by Worldhotels, Marriott, Starwood, Hilton Worldwide, Grupo Melia, Vila Gale and Trump Hotels.

    Trump Hotels can also be making its first appearance at a travel event in Brazil.

    The volume of worldwide hotel giants in attendance, lots of whom are listed on their home country’s stock exchange, confirms that non-public sector businesses see World Travel Market Latin America as a valuable and worthwhile business opportunity.

    Other hotel sector specialists exhibiting include the Caribbean giant, resort operators Sandals & Beaches, Austria-Trend Hotels and the east African experts The Zanzibar Collection.

    WTM London regulars from the hotel technology sector, including Pegasus and TripAdvisor, also are in attendance.

    Finally, quite a few B2B wholesalers supplying groups, tours, hotels and activities are exhibiting on the inaugural event, reflecting the significance of Brazil as both an inbound and outbound destination.

    London-based JAC, Miki Travel, Go Global from Israel and HotelsPro from america are some of the wholesalers seeking to check with suppliers.

    Reed Travel Exhibitions director WTM Latin America Lawrence Reinisch said: “Interest within the first World Travel Market Latin America from the personal sector have been outstanding.

    “I am especially pleased to bring quite a few exhibitors to Brazil for the 1st time, including one of the most world’s major hotel chains.

    “This demonstrates the worldwide appeal of the arena Travel Market brand and in addition the strong interest the personal sector has in conducting business in Brazil and Latin America.

    “I am delighted that World Travel Market Latin America is the primary exhibition that’s ready to facilitate such business opportunities for both Brazil and the region.”

  • The Taj Group launches its 100th hotel in India

    The Taj Group, India’s largest hospitality group, today announced the launch of its 100th hotel in India with Vivanta by Taj within the Millennium City of Gurgaon. The crowd now has 117 hotels globally, with 26 within the Vivanta by Taj – Hotels & Resorts portfolio.
     
    An homage to Gurgaon’s ‘bustling’ lifestyle, the hot Taj is a metropolitan marvel of avante garde design. Iconic features include the Thai Pavilion offering the appropriate of Siam cuisine, the expansive Latitude and the Tease bar. The hotel also offers stylized accommodations with business amenities, a piece and play ‘Rhythm’ lounge, banquet spaces, a Jiva Spa and unique Vivanta motifs. 19 miles south of latest Delhi, Vivanta by Taj – Gurgaon, is on the brink of the business district and visitor hotspots – Kingdom of Dreams, DLF Golf Course and Gurgaon’s ubiquitous malls.
     
    “With the launch of Vivanta by Taj – Gurgaon, NCR, not just have we expanded the footprint of the logo into the business district, but in addition accomplished a vital milestone within the group’s journey, by becoming the 100th hotel in India in our portfolio,” said Mr. Raymond N Bickson, managing director and chief executive officer at Indian Hotels Company Limited, on the launch. “It further reinforces our commitment to expand our service offerings to newer destinations within the country. It also supports the company’s objective of accomplishing growth through domestic dominance. Vivanta by Taj is a testament to the dynamism and innovation that the Taj is renowned for.”
     
    Ms Deepa Misra Harris, senior vp, sales & marketing at Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces also mentioned, “The occasion marks a special celebration for the crowd and inspires us to gain even greater milestones. Reaching our 100th hotel milestone in India and a complete of 117 globally reinforces our faith in our guests across geographies, who’ve amplified their preference for our brands across all locations we’re found in. Designed to deliver vibrant experiences to its guests, Vivanta by Taj Hotels & Resorts is a brand with a recent, energetic and vivacious twist.”
     
    Singapore-based architecture firm Warner Wong Design | WOW Architects is answerable for the design and architecture of the hotel. a mixture of glass and stone creates the impression of a pointy, yet beautifully robust structure that’s avant-garde by design. The innovative concept and fine detailing extends in the course of the 189 guest rooms with city and pool views, 18 suites in addition to a presidential suite with an executive lounge at the 10th floor. Every room comes equipped with innovative technology like video conferencing facilities, continuous, undisturbed internet access and over 10,000 square feet of meeting spaces.
     
    “The Vivanta brand is growing at a rapid pace. With its strategic location and the Vivanta brand features, Gurgaon is better poised to service the traveler in the hunt for a novel and contemporary experience,” said Mr. Veer Vijay Singh, chief operating officer, Vivanta by Taj Hotels & Resorts.
     
    Latitude, the all-day diner at Vivanta by Taj – Gurgaon, offers a global food theater, showcasing the dramatic play of spices and flavors from six different cuisines. The enduring Thai Pavilion – the country’s first signature Thai cuisine restaurant opens its door for the food connoisseurs visiting Gurgaon. Jam-packed with high-octane energy, Tease, the bar is designed to raise the spirits and opens onto a huge alfresco dining space that keeps the vibe alive. For the globetrotting, party hard traveler, Taj provides its signature Jiva Spa.

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  • News: Britain climbs Word Economic Forum tourism ladder

    Britain has moved up two places in a survey of tourism competitiveness performed by the Word Economic Forum.

    The result means VisitBritain has achieved the ambitious target set by government within the latest tourism policy.

    With very fine margins separating the head five places, competition on the top of the table is fierce (0.01 difference between second and fifth position occupied by Britain).

    The biennial study, published under the title, Reducing Barriers to Economic Growth and Job Creation, sees positive movement for Britain within the Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index’s top 10 countries.

    Britain’s close European competitors witnessed considerable movement with France falling four places from third in 2011 to seventh, while Spain climbed to fourth from eighth.

    But through VisitBritain’s extensive global GREAT marketing and a global profile never before seen on this country, Britain’s perceived ability to compete on an international scale shifted two places to fifth from seventh.

    Britain is inside the top ten for a couple of other measures, including:

    • Cultural resources: Britain ranks third for cultural resources. It’s in accordance with Britain’s World Heritage cultural sites, large selection of international fairs and powerful creative industries, which all rank inside the top ten (largely caused by the Olympics and the Diamond Jubilee).
    • Air transport infrastructure: Britain ranks 5th
    • Environmental sustainability: Britain ranks 7th.
    • Policy rules and regulation: Britain ranks 8th (includes transparency of policy making and visa requirements but extends to more business-related indicators comparable to prevalence of foreign ownership, property rights, business start-up costs etc).
    • Internet use for business to consumer transactions: Britain ranks 1st.

    Britain’s global marketing and effectiveness to draw tourists via marketing campaigns has moved up a gargantuan 22 places from 43 in 2011 to 21 in 2013.

    Chairman of VisitBritain, Christopher Rodrigues said: “Tourism is an industry during which Britain is world class and competes internationally.

    “These results clearly display what the industry and government can achieve once we interact, but more need to be done.

    “Last year was Britain’s year to be showcased all over, and we now have used that to drive tourism growth with record spend last year.

    “Our ambition is to construct in this to continue to deliver growth and jobs for Britain with an ambitious target of 40 million visits a year by the top of 2020 with the intention to support 200,000 additional jobs.”