BUSINESS TRAVEL

Avoya Travel Announces Strategic Growth Investment From Certares

Avoya Travel | November 23, 2021

Avoya Travel, one of the travel industry’s most innovative companies, is pleased to announce that it has closed on an investment from funds managed by Certares Management LLC, a global travel, tourism, and hospitality investment firm. Certares joins brothers, Jeff and Michael Anderson, as Co-Owners of Avoya and together are committed to long-term growth and scaling its vacation platform. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

“We are honored to welcome Certares as a partner in Avoya Travel. It’s taken tremendous endurance to build our industry-leading platform and we are excited for our brilliant employees, independent travel advisors, and suppliers – especially during these unprecedented times,”  “We look forward to partnering with Certares to capitalize on the growth opportunities we see ahead as our industry begins its strong recovery.”

-Jeff Anderson, Co-Owner and Co-CEO of Avoya.

Avoya continues to invest in its people and technology which, despite the global pandemic, has driven record high customer satisfaction ratings. Avoya’s new investment from Certares will further position Avoya as an industry leader and accelerate the company in its pursuit to perfect vacation shopping, planning, and booking.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with the Anderson family as shareholders of Avoya and are cheering on the entire Avoya team,Through three generations of family leadership, Avoya has built an incredible team which has consistently pioneered innovative technology, industry-leading marketing and unmatched relationships with independent travel agencies, travelers, and suppliers. We are delighted to support the next phase of Avoya’s growth.”

-Colin Farmer, Senior Managing Director and Head of the Management Committee of Certares

The Anderson family has developed deep relationships in the travel industry for nearly 60 years and formed Avoya Travel in 2006. Co-Founders and brothers Jeff and Michael Anderson, having managed day-to-day operations for nearly a decade, will serve as Co-CEOs of Avoya. As part of the transaction, Brad Anderson will move to a senior advisory role and Van Anderson will retire. The first generation of the family in travel, Pal and Pat Anderson, started in the industry in Hawaii in 1964.

About Avoya Travel
Avoya Travel is redefining how vacations are booked by connecting travelers with independent travel advisors who deliver personalized service and value. Through its proprietary digital platform and vast demand channels, Avoya offers software and services to thousands of companies including cruise lines, resorts, tour companies, and independent travel agencies. Avoya has won numerous awards for its technology and innovation, including holding multiple patents, and serves travelers in North America and beyond. For more information, please visit AvoyaTravel.com.

About Certares
Established in 2012, Certares focuses on direct investments in proprietary transactions, leveraging deep sector experience in the travel and hospitality industries, and with a consistent emphasis on partnership with management teams to drive growth. Certares brings together a team with decades of both operational and investment experience in private equity, travel, tourism, hospitality and travel-related business and consumer services. For more information, please visit certares.com.

Spotlight

RDU passengers can now confirm their identities with eyes or fingers.

Spotlight

RDU passengers can now confirm their identities with eyes or fingers.

Related News

BUSINESS TRAVEL, AIRLINES AND AIRPORTS

Avelo Airlines Reports Strong Booking Trends from Delaware Valley

Avelo Airlines | January 19, 2023

On January 18, 2023, Avelo Airlines reported strong booking trends before the much-awaited introduction of the airline's base at Wilmington Airport (ILG). This launch will take place on February 1, and from that date onwards, the company will offer nonstop flight services to Florida from the most convenient location in Delaware Valley. Andrew Levy, Chairman and CEO at Avelo Airlines, said, "With 14 days to go, we are very encouraged by the initial demand from across the four-state Delaware Valley region. We are seeing strong booking trends across all five Florida destinations Avelo will serve from Wilmington. It is clear there is a lot of excitement about the convenient, affordable and reliable service Avelo is bringing to the region." (Source – Cision PR Newswire) With Avelo's ILG base opening in two weeks, the airline plans to provide nonstop flights to five popular destinations in Florida: Fort Myers, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Orlando, and West Palm Beach. In addition, Avelo will run a special inaugural flight on February 1 from Wilmington to Orlando International Airport (MCO), the busiest and most convenient airport in Central Florida, to mark the opening of its ILG base. The company will begin by placing one Boeing Next-Generation (NG) 737 at ILG along with 35 Crewmembers (employees), including pilots, aircraft technical operations and maintenance, airport customer service, flight attendants, and supervisors. In the United States, Avelo now offers service to 34 locations. By operating on overlooked routes to underserved communities across the nation, the airline has ushered in a new era of choice, convenience, and competition in air travel. About Avelo Airlines Founded in 2020, Avelo Airlines was established with a simple goal - Inspiring Travel. Through its Soul of Service culture, the airline keeps people at the heart of everything, allowing customers to save time and money, avail low everyday fares, and experience refreshing convenience. Avelo operates a fleet of Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft and serves 34 popular locations across the United States, with five bases: Tweed-New Haven Airport in Southern Connecticut (HVN), Hollywood Burbank Airport in Los Angeles (BUR), Orlando International Airport (MCO), Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU), and Wilmington Airport in the Delaware Valley (ILG).

Read More

AIRLINES AND AIRPORTS

WTTC Announces Hotel Sustainability Basics

World Travel & Tourism Council | March 14, 2023

World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), a travel arrangement services company, has recently announced the Hotel Sustainability Basics (Basics) at ITB Berlin. Basics help tourist accommodation providers with their sustainability journey. Basics is a set of globally accepted criteria that hotels should implement at least to generate a responsible and sustainable business in Travel & Tourism. The industry supports it and compiles all tourist accommodation providers, regardless of their size and location. A group of influential global hotel brands came together to demand it. It emphasizes a possible starting point over other sustainability initiatives. It will inspire accommodation providers worldwide to start their sustainability journeys and fulfill the fundamental standards of the sector. It compromises 12 essential criteria and is available to all hotels. This endeavor aims to build a strong base for complex sustainability schemes and enhance sustainability across the industry. It got recognition from the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance as a starting point for the net positive industry. This alliance is the one that announced the latest version of the 'Pathway to Net Positive Hospitality.' WTTC has partnered with Green Key and SGS to design an online verification system to ensure the program's validity. President & CEO of WTTC, Julia Simpson said, "We are incredibly proud to launch our Hotel Sustainability Basics and its verification scheme. The initiative is a response to the sector's need for a baseline for hotels and other tourist lodgings to introduce the exacting sustainability standards." She added, "Our research shows that most business owners are aware of their responsibility to the environment but need a step-by-step guide that is scientifically verifiable. It is a testament to the need for such a scheme that already thousands of hotel properties from around the world have committed to implement Basics, and from today can begin the verification process." (Source – Cision PR Newswire) About World Travel & Tourism Council Headquartered in London, United Kingdom, World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is a non-profitable and non-government organization dedicated to travel and tourism, founded in 1990. It specializes in the authority on world travel & tourism, travel, tourism, research, economics, private sector, government policies, economic impact, Covid-19 recovery, sustainability, and crisis preparedness. It represents the travel & tourism private sector at a global level. It connects industry experts, CEOs of travel & tourism companies and organizations worldwide. Its focuses on Security & Travel Facilitation, Crisis Preparedness & Management, and Sustainable Growth in the travel field.

Read More

TRAVEL TECHNOLOGY

Plusgrade Expands Ancillary Revenue Solutions with UpStay Acquisition

Plusgrade | February 23, 2023

Plusgrade, the global travel industry's premier provider of ancillary revenue solutions, recently announced the acquisition of UpStay, a growing upgrade and ancillary revenue solutions provider for the hospitality industry. UpStay supports hundreds of hotels throughout 17 countries by aiding hoteliers in growing ancillary revenue by delivering numerous value-added revenue streams to their guests. Since its inception in 2019, UpStay has been acknowledged for its innovative technology, receiving the 2021 People's Choice Innovation Award (Phocuswright Travel Awards) and the 2022 World's Best Hotel Tech Startup (World Travel Tech Awards). Plusgrade's acquisition of Points, the global leader in powering loyalty commerce, brought together two of the largest ancillary revenue solutions under one umbrella. Now, the company has initiated a new phase of rapid expansion. By adding UpStay, which provides hotel upgrades and other ancillary revenue solutions, to its portfolio, enhances its ability to deliver comprehensive and diverse services to its global customer base. This move positions Plusgrade to make a more significant impact on travel businesses worldwide, ultimately leading to increased customer satisfaction. UpStay will be incorporated into the Plusgrade brand over the next few weeks and will operate as Plusgrade going forward. Ken Harris, CEO of Plusgrade, shared, "The acquisition of UpStay is another step forward for our vision and mission of becoming the Global Ancillary Revenue Powerhouse." He adds, "We have been accelerating this mission through a series of innovations, launches and acquisitions, and have come into 2023 as a powerhouse for the global travel industry. We are thrilled to have the UpStay team join us, and look forward to tapping into their expertise and innovative technology to bring even more value to our now 200+ airline, hospitality, cruise, rail and financial services partners around the world." (Source – PR Newswire) About Plusgrade Plusgrade offers a portfolio of premium ancillary revenue solutions that power the travel industry. With over 200 clients from various sectors, including airline, cruise, passenger rail, hospitality, and financial services, the company creates new, meaningful revenue streams by delivering exceptional customer experiences. As an ancillary revenue powerhouse, it has created new revenue opportunities worth billions of dollars across its platform, enhancing travel experiences for millions of passengers and guests. Founded in 2009 with headquarters in Montreal, the organization has a global presence with offices located worldwide.

Read More