Here's our roundup of the people, product and partner news from the global travel industry this week.
Sabre partnerships
Sabre Corporation announced a multi-year agreement with ISON Travel, a United Kingdom-based corporate travel management company (TMC).
This partnership will support ISON Travel’s expansion into the United States, providing access to Sabre’s travel marketplace and enabling the company to streamline operations through Sabre’s technology solutions.
Sabre has also partnered with TMC World Travel Inc. The agreement will enable World Travel agents to access travel content available in Sabre’s travel marketplace including NDC offers alongside traditional EDIFACT content.
"We are committed to excellence in customer service and so is Sabre,” said Liz Mandarino, CEO at World Travel Inc. "Sabre is skillfully taking us into the next phase of our technological evolution, helping us navigate the ever-changing and complex technology environment in order to better serve our customers and gain further expansion opportunities worldwide."
SmartRyde unveils B2B website
SmartRyde, a provider of private airport transfer services, has announced the launch of its B2B website.
The platform aims to streamline the booking process for travel agencies, corporate clients and event planners, providing them with seamless access to premium airport transfer options worldwide. In addition, the website allows businesses to quickly browse and book private transfer services.
“At SmartRyde, we understand the importance of reliable transportation in the travel industry,” said Sota Kimura, CEO of SmartRyde. “Our mission is to create a global ecosystem of ground transportations that is accessible for everyone. This portal would be used by not only OTAs but also TTAs, Hotels and Corporate customers. We will extend our technology and services not only to the big travel players but also to the small-mid size agent partners. Our B2B portal is designed to enhance the booking experience for our partners, offering them a competitive edge in providing top-notch service to their customers.”
Amadeus partnerships
Air Canada has announced that it will be working with Amadeus, a leader in travel technology, to help rebook disrupted passengers in 10 minutes, down from the 12 hours it can take when disruptions are managed manually.
Amadeus’ Passenger Recovery solution proposes optimal solutions for passengers quickly, even when a significant number of flights are disrupted.
In addition, Amadeus has signed a new distribution agreement with Delta Airlines, paving the way for enhanced content. The new agreement lays the groundwork for the introduction of new distribution capabilities (NDC) and will continue to provide Amadeus-connected travel sellers access to Delta's full range of content.
Wendy Wu Tours, TProfile
Wendy Wu Tours, a U.K.based tour operator specialising in Asia, has partnered with travel technology specialist TProfile to transform how travel agents access and showcase specialist tours.
The collaboration intends to empower agents with high-quality content, including visuals and immersive videos to inspire prospective customers and enhance the booking journey. It is also expected to streamline operations for agents, providing a seamless customer experience while driving sales growth.
"This partnership is a gamechanger for travel agents,” said Gary King, head of trade sales at Wendy Wu Tours. “By joining forces with TProfile, we are enabling our agent partners to provide an even greater scope of itineraries and travel options, enriched by our extensive touring expertise. With access to our high-quality content, agents can now seamlessly inspire customers with the incredible, immersive experiences that Wendy Wu Tours is renowned for. This partnership will significantly enhance agent interactions with customers, ultimately driving more sales and creating lifelong memories for travelers.”
Mirai, Oracle Cloud Marketplace
Mirai, a provider of booking engine web design and metasearch connectivity for hotels and a member of Oracle Partner Network (OPN), has announced that Mirai Opera Cloud App is available on Oracle Cloud Marketplace.
The integration allows hotels to differentiate their direct channel strategy from that of the OTAs and offer unique advantages to customers to book direct. Both ARI (Availability, Rates and Inventory) and reservations are integrated so hoteliers can focus exclusively on helping maximize the revenue of their properties and optimize their channel mix over a simplified tech stack.
“Easing our clients’ operations and developing direct integrations with the best partners in the hotel industry has always been our goal. Running on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, Mirai is a solid and reliable technology stack that will help hoteliers reduce manual work and focus on what really matters: optimizing revenue, reducing distribution costs and running the business,” said Pablo Delgado, managing partner at Mirai.
Accelya, Air Transat
Airline distribution technology specialist Accelya has announced a partnership with Air Transat, a Montreal-based carrier.
The partnership will allow Air Transat to utilize Accelya's FLX Platform to deliver personalized offers, enhance traveler experiences and take control of its distribution.
"Accelya continues to increase NDC enabled modern retailing with our FLX Platform, and this agreement with Air Transat emphasizes our leadership position,” said Sam Gilliland, CEO of Accelya. “Airlines have their own distribution strategies and technology environments, and we pride ourselves on our platform’s open and modular design. At Air Transat, Accelya is Integrating with Radixx Res, an example of our FLX platform's ability to interface with existing technology and bring modern retailing capabilities to airlines.”
InterLnkd, FlightHub
Ancillary revenue technology specialist InterLnkd has announced a partnership with Canadian online travel company FlightHub.
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Leveraging InterLnkd’s innovative AI-driven solution, the new virtual shopping mall provides FlightHub customers with personalized shopping recommendations from thousands of fashion, beauty and retail brands, specially curated for their upcoming vacations.
"We are always looking for ways to enhance our online offering for travelers,” said Ramzi Rahbani, vice president of products and customer platforms & innovation at FlightHub. “Powered by InterLnkd, our new travel shopping platform does just that by bringing a curated shopping experience to our customers across Canada, helping them find the perfect fashion, beauty, and essential products for their upcoming vacations.”
Mews, BWH Hotels
Hospitality technology specialist Mews has partnered with BWH Hotels to become a certified property management system provider.
With Mews, BHW Hotels will have access to hospitality technologies to help boost operational efficiencies and guest satisfaction.
"The collaboration with Mews aligns with BWH’s dedication to delivering exceptional guest experiences. Mews’ cloud-native platform offers flexibility and scalability, enabling European BWH properties to seamlessly integrate Mews with their existing systems and adhering to our commitment to technological advancement and operational excellence,” said Ron Pohl, president of WorldHotels and international operations at BWH Hotels. "We look forward to working with Mews to help increase hotel operational efficiencies and guest satisfaction."
RTS Labs, Twiddy & Co.
RTS Labs, a provider of AI solutions, and Twiddy & Co., a vacation rental management firm, have announced a partnership to blend Twiddy’s southern hospitality expertise with cutting-edge AI technology.
By combining Twiddy’s focus on personalized guest care with RTS Labs’ AI expertise, the partnership will enhance customer interactions, streamline operations and improve business performance.
“AI is giving hours, even days, back to our team, empowering us to foster stronger relationships with both owners and guests,” said Blake Stockslager, CIO at Twiddy & Co. “With RTS Labs’ support, we’ve been able to reduce our workload backlog, handle customer needs 24/7, and focus on prioritizing and resolving guest concerns in real time.”
The Data Appeal Company, Visa
The Data Appeal Company, part of Almawave Group and a platform that specializes in data and AI, has entered a partnership with payments specialist Visa.
This collaboration will enable The Data Appeal Company to offer deeper insights into tourist behavior, specifically focusing on visitor spending at top global destinations.
“This agreement enhances our ability to help destinations understand and respond to visitor needs, allowing us to support DMOs in crafting tourism promotion strategies that are data-driven and impactful,” said Valeria Sandei, CEO of Almawave.
DragonPass, Boddy
DragonPass, a specialist in travel and lifestyle benefits, has partnered with Boddy, a Swiss-based travel-tech company specializing in wellness experiences for global travelers.
The partnership will focus on scaling their combined offerings across The Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. In addition, it will enable DragonPass' clients, including payment networks, global banks, insurers, airports and telecom providers, to enrich their customers’ travel experiences with exclusive access to Boddy’s vast network of health clubs and wellness centers. DragonPass' own customers will also gain access to a broad range of wellness services.
"Our collaboration with BODDY aligns perfectly with our mission to deliver unparalleled travel experiences," said Sam Heins, chief product officer at DragonPass. "With Boddy’s expertise in connecting travelers to top-tier fitness & wellness experiences worldwide, we are excited to offer a new dimension of health and well-being to our members and partners across the globe and to jointly strengthen our presence in emerging markets."
SITA appoints senior vice president
SITA, the air transport industry’s IT provider, has announced the appointment of Nathalie Altwegg as senior vice president of its airports business unit.
Altwegg plans to spearhead SITA’s further growth in the airports market, building on the company’s presence in more than 1,000 airports globally, as well as its drive to reinvent and digitalize operations and journeys across the world through cutting edge technology and innovation.
"We’re world leaders in the airport market, focusing on the future of our thousands of airport, airline and ground handler customers across the world,” Altwegg said. “We’re bringing great changes as we reinvent journeys and processes to deliver the ultimate travel experience with the most advanced, efficient and sustainable technologies. Our Airports business is a jewel in the industry and I can’t wait to steer it into the future.”
Travel Compositor appointments
Travel Compositor, a provider of booking engine solutions for online leisure travel sellers, has announced two appointments to its leadership team.
Linda Noskova has been appointed as chief commercial officer, and Eduardo Batista joins as sales manager for Brazil. The hires come at a pivotal time for the company as it continues its global expansion, strengthens business relationships with over 600 partners worldwide and opens new opportunities in emerging markets.
Noskova said, “I am very happy to take on this wonderful new challenge, in which I have a team with a lot of experience to rely on. I am eager to apply all my previous knowledge of the tourism sector.”
New president and CEO for New York City Tourism + Conventions
The New York City Tourism + Conventions has appointed Julie Coker as president and CEO, with the role beginning on December 9, 2024.
Coker currently serves as the president and CEO of the San Diego Tourism Authority, where she oversees the organization’s efforts to promote San Diego as a top destination for meetings, conventions, overseas travelers and leisure visitors.
“Leading the San Diego Tourism Authority has been an incredible journey, and I'm immensely proud of what our team has accomplished,” said Coker. “Together with our Board of Directors, members and the local tourism community, we successfully navigated the challenges of the pandemic and have driven San Diego’s tourism recovery. This resilience and collaborative spirit have laid a strong foundation for my new chapter with New York City Tourism + Conventions. I’m eager to bring my passion for the tourism industry to New York City and look forward to building upon the remarkable work of the talented team in place, further enhancing the global appeal of one of the world’s most iconic cities.”
Corporate Travel Management appoints global CCO
Corporate Travel Management (CTM), a global provider of travel solutions, has appointed Ana Pedersen as global chief commercial officer.
In the role, Pedersen will lead CTM’s initiatives to accelerate global growth and innovation, enhancing its position as a leader in corporate travel solutions.
“I am honored to join CTM at such a pivotal time for both the company and the industry,” said Pederson. “As we navigate the evolving landscape of corporate travel, my focus will be on driving strategic initiatives that deliver lasting value to our clients. By deepening our global sales and account management capabilities, forging stronger supplier relationships and implementing cutting-edge technologies, we will not elevate CTM’s market position but also set benchmarks for excellence in corporate travel.”
Reed & Mackay appoints new vice president of business development
Reed & Mackay, a provider in strategic corporate travel and event management, has announced the appointment of Annie Peiser as vice president of business development in the U.S.
Peiser plans to drive new business opportunities, strengthen existing client relationships and spearhead initiatives to expand the company’s presence across key industries, including financial services, law and other professional service firms.
"Annie is a seasoned sales leader whose extensive experience and proven track record will be instrumental in accelerating our growth in the U.S.," said John Keichline, Reed & Mackay CEO, U.S. "Her expertise in developing long-term client relationships and securing significant new business aligns perfectly with our commitment to delivering tailored, high-touch, tech-enabled solutions to our clients."
Take2Eton Group appoints new CEO
Take2Eton Group, a travel management and events company, has announced the appointment of James Parkhouse as CEO.
Parkhouse brings over 25 years’ experience in business leadership and program management in diverse industries, in both private and public sector organizations.
“I am delighted to be invited to join Take2Eton as Global CEO and to work with Chris and the team on taking a unique market proposition to the next level,” Parkhouse said. “I have long admired the knowledge, expertise, and ambition that the company has and can’t wait to use my industry and leadership experience to drive the business to future success."