TRAVEL TECHNOLOGY
businesswire | March 31, 2023
GigNet, a Digital Transformation company that provides high-speed broadband and advanced value-added services to enterprise clients and residential communities based on its extensive fiber-optic network from Cancun to Tulum, announced today the signing of a Collaboration Agreement with the State of Quintana Roo Ministry of Tourism to enhance the tourism experience in the Cancun region. The signing took place at the 47th annual edition of the Tianguis Turistico México, an international showcase for the Mexico tourism industry. Quintana Roo Governor María Elena Lezama Espinosa attended the ceremony and signed the agreement as a Witness of Honor. Quintana Roo enjoys connectivity to more than 120 cities around the world through its three international airports, hosting more than 30 million passengers at the Cancun Airport in 2022.
The overall purpose of the Collaboration Agreement, signed by State Secretary of Tourism Bernardo Cueto Riestra on behalf of the Quintana Roo Ministry of Tourism (SEDETUR) and Mark Carney, OBE and President of GigNet Mexico, is to promote tourism-related technological development in the Mexican Caribbean. The agreement establishes a framework for the deployment of advanced, secure broadband locations in the State of Quintana Roo to improve the tourist experience of visitors and promote tourism development in the region through world-class Internet services and information technologies. The signing ceremony was also attended by Ana Patricia Peralta de la Peña, President of Benito Juárez (Cancun Municipality) where the first GigNet-sponsored special public Wi-Fi Internet access areas will be located, as well as various leaders from the Mexico national tourism sector.
The first phase of this Agreement will establish public Wi-Fi zones in tourist destinations in the Mexican Caribbean starting with Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum. The commitment to the technological development by GigNet is expected to cover, in subsequent phases, not only all the municipalities of the Mexican Caribbean in their tourist areas but also in commercial and administrative centers in multiple cities, fostering a true digital transformation in the region. With this Collaboration Agreement, GigNet will provide visitors and residents the opportunity to access Wi-Fi to find and shop at local businesses and for enhanced public safety and security.
This Collaboration Agreement is also recognition that technology will be a primary driver for the next generation of travelers to the Mexican Caribbean. According to the Quintana Roo Tourism Promotion Council (CPTQ), 64% of tourists who visit the Mexican Caribbean are under 39 years of age and almost 50% of them are Millennials. These tourists travel with between 5 and 10 electronic devices that allow them to be connected to the Internet while traveling. Through their phones, tablets and personal computers, they search for routes, promotions and activities to do before and during their trip.
Mr. Carney stated, “With one of the best climates and natural environments in the world, incredible and innovative restaurants and shopping malls, a youth destination culture, and thousands of new smart home units for residents and digital nomads, we truly believe the quality of life of the Mexican Caribbean has all the elements to attract investment, businesses, and now - with access to GigNet high-speed Internet - tech entrepreneurs and established technology companies seeking to relocate to this attractive business environment.”
GigNet’s “Silicon Maya” vision is to make Quintana Roo the leading state in Mexico for digital transformation, technological innovation, and Smart Cities – and a model for all of Mexico and Latin America. High-speed broadband access has been proven around the world to increase economic growth and opportunities for all segments of society. GigNet's “Silicon Maya” initiative can provide tremendous social benefits like online learning, improved healthcare, remote work opportunities, a diversified economy, and increased access to public services. For more information, see GigNet - Silicon Maya
ABOUT GIGNET
GigNet is the Mexican Caribbean brand of GigNet, Inc., a U.S. based international Digital Transformation company specializing in Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) services for Smart Homes and Smart Communities, and Fiber-to-the-Premises (FTTP) value-added services for enterprise customers including hotels, resorts, retailers, offices, large commercial operations, governmental offices, and medical and educational facilities, as well as fiber-optic transport services for mobile phone operators and carriers. Through its Mexico operating subsidiaries, GigNet, S.A. de C.V., and Sanalto Redes Peninsular, S.A.P.I. de C.V., the Company is a fully licensed telecommunications provider in Mexico. GigNet is actively adding clients and additional products and services in the Mexican Caribbean, one of the largest and fastest growing tourism and new residential development destinations in the world with over 30 million annual airport passengers achieved in 2022. GigNet is a leader in the Digital Transformation of the region.
Read More
AIRLINES AND AIRPORTS
prnewswire | March 30, 2023
AMTRAV, the one connected platform for business travel, today announced upgrades to its corporate booking solution to continue delivering travelers and corporate travel customers the full selection of American Airlines' flights and lowest fares, even as American changes how the carrier's flights can be booked through third party corporate booking platforms beginning in April.
In an effort to modernize the shopping experience for travelers, American Airlines recently mandated that all travel agencies use "New Distribution Capability" (NDC) technology to shop and sell American flights by April 2023. NDC was developed by airlines to distribute fares, offers, and other products online faster and with more transparency than the previous travel technology. For those booking tools not connected, travelers will lose access to up to 40% of American's lowest fares and face the tough choice: book higher American fares with their current provider in order to maintain spend and safety visibility or let travelers book lower American fares outside the system, but lose spend and safety visibility.
Although many legacy travel management companies (TMCs) have resisted transitioning – citing the difficulty and complexity – AmTrav has been an outspoken proponent of modernization for many years. In 2019, AmTrav became the first business travel platform to process NDC bookings with American and today is one of a very small number of providers ready to provide uninterrupted access to American's lowest fares.
"Business travel tools already have a perception problem among travelers, because so few corporate travel booking platforms have been willing to invest time and money to modernize the user experience," said AmTrav CEO Jeff Klee. "We've taken a different approach. Because we build all of our own technology with fewer dependencies on slow, legacy third party systems, we can deliver for our travelers the type of shopping experience they get when they book personal travel, while at the same time providing their companies with the visibility, control, and savings they need."
With its latest enhancements, AmTrav's "NDC ready" solution, more than ever, brings business travelers and their companies:
Lower Fares on American: Booking tools that have not tapped into American's NDC content will be more expensive 40% of the time.
Access to All of American's Fare Brands: Compare and choose from the full menu of American's offerings, including the new Main Plus and Main Select bundles which include free extra legroom seats, among other benefits.
Full Choice of Seats: Get access to every available seat, including Preferred and Main Cabin Extra, with perks from your AAdvantage status (if applicable) automatically factored in.
Personalized Comparison-Shopping: A rich, complete comparison-shopping experience to help travelers make smart choices with details, photos, and reviews to inform fare rules, fees, seat size, WiFi, entertainment, and so much more.
Full Visibility and Control: Like any other booking, American NDC bookings work seamlessly with AmTrav's real-time reporting, travel policy and approval flows, unused ticket tracking, and traveler locator services, keeping travel managers and C-suite execs happy.
About AmTrav
AmTrav is an award-winning, modern technology and service platform designed to make business travel personal and productive. Companies of all sizes use AmTrav to book trips, find savings, set travel policies, manage payments and expenses, and keep their travelers safe. Travelers and companies love AmTrav's powerful platform that provides a seamless travel management experience supported by our experts who are always ready to help 24x7. More than 1000 businesses trust AmTrav to go places, meet people, and go further.
Read More
AIRLINES AND AIRPORTS
businesswire | March 28, 2023
Norse Atlantic Airways marks a new era in affordable transatlantic travel between the US and France with the celebration of its inaugural flight from Paris, Charles de Gaulle to New York JFK and from JFK to Charles de Gaulle. The daily direct service commenced on March 26th, 2023, providing customers with a quality service onboard modern Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.
The launch of this route marks Norse Atlantic’s entry into yet another major international market as the airline continues to provide comfortable and budget-friendly travel options for long-haul flights.
“We are delighted to offer cost-effective travel and increased choices for our passengers between the vibrant cities of Paris and New York. This new route connecting the beautiful cities will further boost transatlantic travel benefiting local tourism and businesses on both sides of the Atlantic. With the addition of our latest route to Paris, our airline now offers a total of five European destinations from New York, JFK this summer, including Rome, Berlin, Oslo and London,” said Bjorn Tore Larsen, CEO of Norse Atlantic Airways.
With daily, direct flights from New York, JFK to Paris starting at just $289 one-way, including all applicable taxes, travelers can now access a high-quality airline and travel experience for a fraction of the cost of traditional transatlantic carriers, making travel more accessible to a vast range of leisure and businesspeople, including families, students, and budget-conscious travelers.
Daily departures from New York to Paris are at 12:30 a.m. EDT, with arrival in Paris at 2:05 p.m. local time. The return flights depart Paris at 8:00 pm local time, and land in NY at 10:15 p.m. EDT.
Current economy fares below:
JFK – CDG: $235 (one-way)
CDG – JFK: $289 (one-way)
Round Trip: $524
About Norse Atlantic Airways
Norse Atlantic Airways is a new airline that offers affordable fares on long-haul flights, primarily between Europe and the United States. The company was founded by CEO and major shareholder Bjørn Tore Larsen in March 2021. Norse has a fleet of 15 modern, fuel-efficient and more environmentally friendly Boeing 787 Dreamliners that will serve destinations including New York, Los Angeles, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Oslo, London, Berlin and Paris.
Read More