Booking solutions developer cruisePAL announced that Mexican hospitality firm Grupo Vidanta recently expanded their partnership.
This is in line with the latter’s implementation of cruisePAL CRS technologies for its operations.
Grupo Vidanta’s chief information officer Len Dudis said of this: “We’ve had a great partnership thus far [with cruisePAL] and are excited to continue working together. Their flexibility and adaptability have consistently aligned with our evolving business needs, making cruisePAL the ideal solution for our reservation system expansion.”
By implementing cruisePAL CRS, Grupo Vidanta aims to streamline reservation processes, centralise management, empower remote agents, and integrate seamlessly with existing systems, ensuring a smooth transition and improved operational efficiency.
An innovative solution
As a pioneering solution in the cruise industry, cruisePAL CRS offers unparalleled features and benefits tailored to meet the evolving needs of operators and passengers.
Grupo Vidanta recognized the value of a single, integrated solution for managing their reservation processes. That said, cruisePAL CRS will be utilised to comprehensively manage Grupo Vidanta’s reservation process, covering everything from bookings and payments to sales invoices and agency account reconciliation.
The user-friendly web-based platform will enable agents to work remotely. Additionally, Grupo Vidanta will also utilise cruisePAL’s API in the creation of B2C and B2B portals.
Atlas Ocean Voyages, the leader in yacht expedition cruising, announces the launch of its new online booking tool within the Atlas Advisor Central portal. Designed to make it easier for travel advisors to book, manage, and track their client’s voyages, this tool is designed to simplify the booking process, offering an intuitive experience with features such as searching expeditions by destination, booking staterooms, accessing promotional rates, and tracking current and future bookings. Advisors can now create, view, and review bookings more efficiently by visiting Agents.AtlasOceanVoyages.com.
“We are committed to supporting our travel partners, and this enhancement simplifies the process, making it easier for advisors to do business with us,” said James A. Rodriguez, President & CEO of Atlas Ocean Voyages.
In addition to this exciting launch, Atlas’ dedicated Regional Sales Directors are ready to support travel advisors’ business growth. They are available to discuss marketing and sales support opportunities to help drive expedition sales. Atlas Ocean Voyages is dedicated to the success of its travel partners. This new online booking tool, paired with personalized support from our regional sales team, reinforces our commitment to providing the tools and resources necessary for our valued partners to grow their expedition sales business with us.
Dedicated to hospitality education and training, the Academy enrolled its first batch of students for its inaugural intake last month, marking a significant milestone of the hospitality education in the United Arab Emirates and in the region.
Now, through this new collaboration, Rotana and Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy – Les Roches aim to nurture and elevate local talent for a thriving career in the UAE’s dynamic hospitality sector. As the UAE continues to experience robust growth in its tourism and hospitality industry, the demand for skilled professionals is at an all-time high.
The partnership represents a significant step towards bridging the skills gap in the sector while promoting local talent to meet the evolving needs of the market.
“We are thrilled to join forces with Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy – Les Roches to foster the next generation of hospitality leaders and professionals in the UAE,” said Shaikha Al Nowais, Corporate Vice President of Owner Relationship Management at Rotana, and board member of Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy – Les Roches. “This partnership aligns with our commitment to empowering local talent and contributes to the sustainable development of the region’s hospitality industry.”
Through this collaboration, above being the accommodation provider of reference, Rotana will provide students with valuable industry insights, internships and job placements at its esteemed properties across the UAE. In addition, the partnership will facilitate mentorship programs, workshops and masterclasses led by seasoned professionals from both Rotana and the Academy, as well as events and initiatives designed to engage students, foster community involvement and celebrate the rich talents of upcoming hospitality professionals.
Georgette Davey, Managing Director of Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy – Les Roches, explained: “Partnering with key industry players is key for us. Rotana will enhance our curriculum and provide our students with unparalleled access to real-world experience, Together, we can empower local students with the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to excel in the fast-paced hospitality industry.”
The partners have also created the “Rotana scholarship”, providing a student with full tuition at the institution. Selected on a merit-base, this year, Fatma Ibrahim will pursue a four-year Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Global Hospitality Management, including an internship at one of Rotana’s properties and will be able to pursue her career within the group.
Together, Rotana and Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy – Les Roches are dedicated to shaping the future of the UAE’s hospitality landscape.
Rotana manages a portfolio of over 100 operational and pipeline properties throughout MENAT, with an expansion plan in place. Les Roches, meanwhile, is a bespoke experience to educate tomorrow’s leaders in hospitality. Founded in 1954 in Switzerland, Les Roches offers undergraduate, graduate degrees and executive programs in Luxury, Hospitality and Tourism Management. It has campuses across Switzerland, Spain, UAE and China, as well as a partner campus in New Delhi.
Embraer presents innovative aircraft and solutions from its commercial aviation and defence portfolio at the Japan Aerospace Exhibition from 16 to 19 October 2024.
The company will feature its renowned E-Jets family of commercial aircraft, the multi-mission C-390 Millennium airlifter and advanced air mobility solutions from Eve Air Mobility, an independent company founded by Embraer.
Embraer president and CEO Francisco Gomes Neto said: “We are honoured to be at the 2024 edition of the Japan International Aerospace Exhibition. Japan is an important market for us and home to a large fleet of E-Jets. We look forward to contributing further to the country’s aerospace industry.”
Embraer’s participation in the Japan Aerospace Exhibition highlights its long-term vision for the Japanese market and its dedication to delivering innovative and sustainable aerospace solutions that benefit the nation and the broader region.
Knowing the needs of a specific market
Embraer recognizes the unique needs of the Japanese aerospace market and is dedicated to providing aircraft solutions that deliver exceptional value.
With 47 first-generation E-Jets already connecting over 30 cities nationwide through Japan Airlines and Fuji Dream Airlines, the E-Jets have demonstrated how it is ideally suited for the Japanese market since the first E-Jet commenced operations in the country 15 years ago.
The latest 12-month average reliability stands at 99.83 percent and utilisation is up to seven flights a day with an average turnaround time of 30 minutes.
Embraer forecasts a robust demand for aircraft in the up to 150-seat segment in Japan over the next 20 years, driven by the replacement of older aircraft and the right-sizing of larger narrow-body fleets.
For those seeking an unforgettable Halloween adventure like no other, there’s no place more fitting than the historical Ballygally Castle, Northern Ireland. Nestled amidst the enchanting landscapes of the Antrim coast, the real-life haunted castle invites guests to embrace the thrill of the season with a spooky overnight offer with a special guest and a devilish afternoon tea.
With its rich history and unique character, the castle at Ballygally Castle is renowned as one of the most haunted places in Northern Ireland. Legend has it that Lady Isabella, wife of James Shaw who built Ballygally Castle, was locked in a room at the top of the castle after Shaw snatched their son away, leaving her to die tragically while attempting to escape. Another ghost is known for knocking on bedroom doors late at night and for the rustling of a silk dress in the corridors. Some believe it is the playful spirit of Madam Nixon, who came to stay at the castle after her husband’s death. While the Ghost Room in the tower can still be visited, no guests are allowed to stay there anymore, adding to the mystique and allure of this remarkable castle.
Guests can embark on the hotel’s unique ‘Ghostly Nights & Delicious Delights’ package, thoughtfully crafted to provide moments of eerie delight. They can indulge in a Halloween-themed afternoon tea filled with delightful treats and savory snacks, showcasing a charming blend of flavours and treats that draw inspiration from age-old ghost stories. As the sun sets, guests can retire to their comfortable rooms, where the echoes of ghosts add to the mysterious ambience before waking up to hearty full Irish breakfast.
India’s preferred airline, IndiGo, and global audio streaming platform, Spotify have partnered to launch 6E Shuffle, a first-of-its-kind experience that generates exclusive travel playlists for users based on their journeys and preferences. As a value add, IndiGo and Spotify are also offering customers, booking and travelling directly with IndiGo, 4 months of complimentary Spotify Premium subscription.
Through this partnership, listeners will enjoy personalised playlists based on their travel destinations, mood, and genre preference. The playlists will be available for customers to access once they download the Spotify app. Additionally, by leveraging Spotify’s innovative technology, travellers will receive curated destination suggestions for their next travel, tailored to their music tastes and preferences. They can also visit the IndiGo destination pages for more information on these cities.
Recent data from Spotify revealed that listeners in India search for travel-related music on Spotify an average of 22 lac+ times per month, and the highest volume of these searches can be attributed to Gen Z listeners, particularly 18–24-year-olds. Interestingly, the most common time for these searches is between 3-4pm, and, this year, travel-related music searches on Spotify in India peaked on April 20.
With 6E Shuffle, both brands bring together travel and music — elements that are inseparable and have a huge emotional connection with consumer behaviour, especially when it comes to creating and unlocking core memories. As a part of this collaboration, the brands will release a video featuring I-Pop and film artist, Armaan Malik, to inspire IndiGo travellers to ‘tune in and take off in style, as there’s music for miles’. The campaign highlights that there’s music for every journey, no matter wherever you go, or whatever the mood, ‘there’s a 6E playlist for that’.
Neetan Chopra, Chief Digital and Information Officer, IndiGo, said: “We are delighted to announce our collaboration with Spotify to offer our customers a one-of-a-kind travel experience with a complimentary 4-month subscription and personalised playlists. Travel and music are interconnected, and this partnership reflects our commitment to meeting the ever-evolving needs of our customers and enabling memorable journeys. Our vision is to create an immersive experience for our customers, while we remain dedicated to delivering affordable, hassle-free, and on-time travel experiences across our extensive network.”
Neha Ahuja, Director of Marketing, Spotify India, added: “Music is an integral part of travel, whether for work or holidays, and our partnership with IndiGo is so relevant because it allows us to tap into existing and new users. We know that travel is one of the most important use cases for music, and this year alone, listeners on Spotify in India created several lakhs of playlists around travelling, with more than 7.5 lac playlists created around ‘driving’, followed by ‘travel’, ‘bus’, and ‘road trip’. We are always looking to collaborate with brands with whom our synergy matches, and we can reach the right audience, meaningfully, and this is one such example.”
Hubby – the worldwide mobile internet solution for travel sellers and travel providers to keep customers connected in-destination – has confirmed that it is about to close a successful second full year of trading that proves its B2B2C sales route hypothesis.
Launched in December 2022, Hubby’s B2B2C tech solution enhances customer service and creates cross-selling opportunities for travel sellers and providers by offering worldwide internet as a value-add for their end customers whilst in-destination – all at a neglible price point through the use of affordable eSIMs.
As the second full year of trading enters the fourth quarter Hubby is pleased to confirm that revenues will hit around €750,000 and that already the company has delivered over 175,000 eSIMs through its B2B2C sales routes, including via travel agencies and tour operators.
Thijs van de Wijk, Founder & CEO of Hubby, comments:“What an exciting second full year this has been for our business and I’d like to thank all of our B2B2C partners who have placed their faith in us to provide their travellers with internet in destination.
“At the outset we felt very strongly that selling eSIMs as an ancillary on commission to consumers was already on its way out and that the best way to distribute them was as a value-add through travel providers and partners – having such players instead use them as an enabler of value for their clients that opens the door to cross-selling and improved customer experiences. What other product could you offer your customer for just a few euros that adds so much to their experience and directly benefits you? Our clients report increased bottom line and NPS scores and the word is getting out there, we’ve had enquiries from all four corners of the world.
“Watch this space for more news as we expand the team and announce significant partnerships with sellers and providers of travel to take Hubby global.”
To date the company has been funded with €450,000 raised from friends-and-family. But now that the Hubby B2B2C sales model has been proven the company is in advanced dicsussions with investors for a seed fundraising in the €2m to €3m range and more details will be announced very soon.
Representative Image: Underwater sunlight on a coral reef with tropical fish in the south Pacific ocean, natural scene, New Caledonia, Oceania
Mabrian’s analysis highlights a growing gap between rising travel demand and lagging air connectivity in Oceania. While key markets like the United States, India, China, and Europe show increased interest in traveling to the region for 2024, air seat availability in many areas remains below pre-pandemic levels, which presents a challenge for Oceania’s travel & tourism industry.
As the travel industry in Oceania continues to bounce back from the pandemic, latest insight from Mabrian, the global travel intelligence platform, reveals promising travel intention trends from markets like the United States India, China, and Europe, signalling potential growth for 2024 and beyond, as well as overall travel demand recovery; as Oceania is facing an uneven recouping in air connectivity, a key challenge to be addressed to harness the demand trends. Mabrian, part of The Data Appeal Company – Almawave Group, shared this analysis with World Travel & Tourism Council, hosting its Global Summit 2024 from October 8th to 10th, 2024 in Perth, Australia.
Oceania is formed by 14 countries (UN Statistics Board) grouped in four macro regions: Australia & New Zealand, Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia, the majority of them islands of different sizes. The continent boasts exceptional diversity, turning this area of the world in a bucket-list destination for outdoors, nature and adventure lovers; as well as for travellers, eager to explore the unique cultural expressions and heritage of its native communities.
According to UN Tourism latest year-round data (2023), arrivals (17.46M arrivals in 2019 vs 12.87M in 2023) and international tourist receipts (61.4 USD billion in 2019 vs 57.9 USD billion in 2023) to Oceania is close to reaching 2019 records. As many destinations around the world, the pandemic posed extreme challenges to travel & tourism industry in the region and, for Oceania, recovery took longer: The majority of destinations fully reopened in early 2022, or later than same year, being the restrictions among the toughest globally, similar to some Asian countries, which were key source markets for Oceania’s destinations. Demand reconfigured between 2020 and 2023, where it showed signs of bouncing back to traditional arrivals’ trends.
But, how does 2024 and early 2025 looks like for Oceania, in terms of travel demand? To perform this analysis, Mabrian dig into two indicators: seats availability variation and scheduling to understand to what extent connectivity recovered after the pandemic, and Share of Searches Index* for Oceania, based on flight searches for the first semester of 2024, to travel throughout 2024 and until late winter 2025.
Air connectivity, a shared challenge for oceania
Due to its geography, Oceania is highly dependent on the air connectivity, domestic, regional, and international, so it is a crucial competitiveness factor for this continent. According to Mabrian’s travel intelligence, overall regional connectivity to and within Oceania’s countries has not fully recovered after the pandemic. When comparing scheduled inbound and domestic air seats for the second half of 2024 with 2019 same period, for Oceania’s four macro regions that conform Oceania (Australia & New Zealand, Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia), data shows that only Polynesia is 25% above 2019 figures, while Micronesia is -31% below, Melanesia -17%, and Australia & New Zealand are -7% 2019 levels.
“The path to recovery in terms of air capacity is slower when compared to other world regions, in particular some with a strong travel & tourism market, such as Southern Europe, Western Asia or Latin America, recovering +10% to 15% of 2019 seats, posing a relevant challenge to be addressed considering the characteristic insularity of Oceania”, indicates Carlos Cendra, Partner and Director of Marketing and Communications at Mabrian.
Focusing on inbound air seats to scheduled Oceania’s destinations for full year 2024 (compared to 2023 and 2019), Mabrian’s travel intelligence shows that air capacity recovery is progressive, and indicates an uneven recoup of air connectivity in the area favouring four destinations: Tahiti (French Polynesia), Nadi (Fiji), as well as Perth and the Sunshine Coast (Australia).
Tahiti (French Polynesia) increased +29% air seats availability compared 2019 and +1% growth compared to 2023; whereas, since 2019, Nadi (Fiji) grew +24% inbound air seats, +10% when compared to 2023. Perth (+9% more seats than 2019 and +13% year over year) and the Sunshine Coast (+33% more than in 2019, even though reduced -12% since last year) are the exceptions to other Australian destinations, such as Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane, or even to Auckland (New Zealand), all of them increasing air connectivity inter-annually, but still below 2019 seats availability.
Finally, when compared to full 2019, scheduled air seats indicate that inbound air connectivity is bouncing back +5% to Auckland (New Zealand), and +4% to both Queenstown (Australia) and to Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea). In fact, the capital of Papua New Guinea features a strong growing trend, as air seats’ availability increases +13% year over year.
Demand timidly recovers in India, US and Europe, and China’s bounce back
Mabrian’s Share of Searches Index, based on flight searches for the first semester of 2024, to travel throughout 2024 and until late winter 2025; reveals that United States, India, China, and Europe, key markets of Oceania, are showing signs of recovery or stabilization.
Travel intention from Chinese market is the steadiest, as grows up to +4.7% compared to the same period last year. India also shows a moderate +1.4% inter-annual growth in inspirational demand, while Europe (+1% year over year) and United States (+0.8% year over year) increases also indicates a paced recovery. “Travel intention data is very promising, as it will contribute to push the much-needed air seats availability to cater to it, as well as to pent-up demand that is considering travelling to Oceania in the medium and long-term”, explains Cendra.
Data illustrates the gap between travel intention and air connectivity. This difference is particularly acute for Sydney and Melbourne (Australia), and also for Auckland (New Zealand), where global seats availability has not recovered yet to 2019 levels. Inspirational demand to travel to Sydney during 2024 and until late winter 2025 from the United States, China or Europe tripled compared to the same period last years’, and increased 160% from India. In the case of Melbourne, demand from India multiplied by 3, from Europe increased 121%, from China grew 158%, and almost 80% from the United States. The appetite to visit New Zealand’s capital is also evident in these for markets, as travel intention grew year over year +86% from China, 79% from the United States, +70% from Europe and +60% from India.
As Mabrian’s spokesperson points outs “Oceania’s destinations must follow up on these demand trends as it offers clear hints on which are the opportunity markets to tap into to reinforce and rebuild air connectivity to the region”.
RAKxa Integrative Wellness, a leading integrative wellness destination in Thailand, unveils an exclusive series of seasonal Wellness Retreats at the idyllic Castelfalfi resort in Tuscany. Building on the success of the RAKxa Wellness Spa, which opened at Castelfalfi in March 2024, these retreats offer a unique, soul-enriching experience, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the beauty and serenity of Tuscany’s changing seasons.
The year-round retreats are meticulously curated to reflect the unique characteristics of each Tuscan season and aligns with RAKxa’s five interconnected pillars of wellness: Nutrition, Exercise, Stress Management, Rest and Restorative Treatment, guiding guests towards their health goals using RAKxa’s holistic and integrative approach, now brought to the heart of Tuscany
Launching in October, RAKxa’s bespoke wellness packages invite guests to experience the rich natural offerings of the Autumnal Tuscan landscape. Each retreat draws inspiration from Castelfalfi’s rolling hills and natural healing energy, offering revitalising seasonal experiences that include nature hikes, truffle hunting, wine or olive oil tastings depending on the season. Guests will also enjoy wellness welcome amenities, such as essential oils to promote restful sleep and energising snacks to sustain them throughout the day.
Guests can choose from various retreat durations: a one-day experience to enhance an existing stay, a two-day retreat for a deeper immersion, or a Four-day rebalance journey for a full wellness experience. Each wellness experience had been designed to enhance their existing stay at Castelfalfi.
Depending on the length of stay, the retreat program include the following in line with RAKxas Integrative Wellness Pillars to wholeness:
Nutrition: While traditional italian cuisine is a highlight in Tuscany, guests have the option to complement their wellness experience with RAKxa’s anti-inflammatory wellness cuisine. This menu features seasonal, locally-sourced produce prepared and created by Castelfalfi’s executive chef Davide De Simone.
Exercise: A selection of customised workout sessions to support and elevate their fitness journey, crafted to meet any specific goals.
Stress Management: Engage in local activities such as truffle hunting, and wine or olive oil tastings, all inspired by the season. These experiences provide a unique way to manage stress while connecting with Tuscany’s natural and cultural richness.
Restorative Treatments: A selection of 90-min wellness treatments at the RAKxa Wellness Spa, created specifically to rebalance guests depending on their health goals.
Rest: Indulge in restful sleep with in-room wellness amenities. Essential oils and other thoughtful touches are provided to enhance relaxation and promote a serene sleep environment amidst the tranquil Tuscan landscape.
Personalised Wellness Itinerary: For those opting for the four-day retreat, a consultation with a RAKxa health and wellness advisor will be available. This personalised session will help tailor a wellness itinerary based on individual health goals, incorporating specific recommendations for food, exercise, and activities.
RAKxa’s seasonal Wellness Retreats at Castelfalfi promise an enriching blend of Tuscan charm and integrative wellness, offering an unparalleled opportunity to rebalance their well-being in one of the world’s most stunning locales.
Delta is increasing connectivity to Europe with the addition of a brand-new nonstop service from its hub in Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) to Copenhagen (CPH) starting May 2025, operating three times weekly. With the addition of this new route, Delta will provide customers traveling from MSP nonstop access to seven European destinations .
“Delta continues to strengthen its global network and offers unparalleled access to Europe from Minneapolis-St. Paul with this new direct service to Copenhagen, one of Europe’s most vibrant and culturally rich cities,” said Joe Esposito, Delta’s Senior Vice President – Network Planning. “This route creates an invaluable connection between two major SkyTeam partner hubs, providing unrivaled connectivity and travel options for customers traveling between Scandinavia and North America.”
“We are excited that Delta is expanding direct service to Europe from MSP next year, offering even more connections in that region through its new SkyTeam partner Scandinavian Airlines System,” said Brian Ryks, CEO and executive director of the Metropolitan Airports Commission, which owns and operates MSP Airport.“Many Minnesotans are of Scandinavian heritage, and this new route offers great access to support deeper cultural ties and the continuation of cross-Atlantic business connections between our regions.”
“This is really great news, and we look forward to welcoming another route with Delta Air Lines at Copenhagen Airport,” said Peter Krogsgaard, CCO at Copenhagen Airport. “Delta is one of the world’s largest airlines, and with a new direct route from Copenhagen to Minneapolis, many travelers will have direct access to one of Delta’s key hubs, offering numerous connections to destinations across North America, the Caribbean, and Mexico. We are also excited to welcome even more American visitors, who with a direct route to Copenhagen, not only have the opportunity to visit one of the world’s most beautiful cities, but also gain easy access to the many routes from Copenhagen to destinations across Europe.”
