COMMERCIAL TRAVEL, AIRLINES AND AIRPORTS
TA Connections | February 20, 2023
TA Connections, a FLEETCOR company and a market leader in end-to-end solutions for airline operations, recently announced that it deliver its new re-ticketing service for distressed passengers to easyJet, a leading European low-cost airline. TA Connections' innovative ticketing technology enables easyJet to promptly rebook passengers facing travel disruptions on alternate airlines using an automated system that provides visibility into the available flight inventory.
TA Connections' smart re-ticketing solution seamlessly links with several supply channels, including NDC (New Distribution Capability), GDS (Global Distribution Systems), airline consolidators, private inventory, and directly with airline reservation systems, all through a single interface. Additionally, it is integrated within the TA Connections' TA Disruption Hub, providing easyJet and its customers with a comprehensive view of all flight options and real-time booking capabilities. This integration allows for a faster and more convenient rebooking process for displaced passengers, ensuring they can quickly be booked to their desired destination.
Mike Appleton, President of TA Connections, shared, "We've had the pleasure of being an extension of easyJet's crew and distressed passenger lodging and transportation operations for more than a decade and look forward to playing an even bigger role in their customer care with our new re-ticketing solution." He added, "This state-of-the-art technology is really a game-changer when it comes to minimizing the impact of travel disruptions for airline passengers. As an addition to our existing service platform, we can help airlines simplify their operations, control costs and improve customer loyalty even more moving forward."
(Source – Business Wire)
The new intelligent ticketing technology from TA Connections is the latest initiative to provide airline customers with unmatched access to inventory, automated pricing/fare optimization, configurable compliance and policies, and fully digital ticketing experiences for global passenger and crew needs.
About TA Connections
TA Connections, headquartered in Miami (Florida), offers a suite of next-generation solutions designed to simplify travel management, making it more affordable and efficient for clients worldwide. With a reputation for world-class operational reliability and agility, it seamlessly integrates with client crew scheduling and communication systems. From disrupted passenger hotel accommodations and transportation services to data analytics and machine-learning guided insights, clients trust the company's services worldwide. Through its transformative approach to travel management, the company seeks to delight the world's most mobile workforce while revolutionizing the industry.
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BUSINESS TRAVEL
prnewswire | March 24, 2023
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the Saudi-based Sustainable Tourism Global Center have unveiled groundbreaking new data detailing the total water usage of the global Travel & Tourism sector.
In one of the largest research projects of its kind, WTTC can for the first time ever, accurately report and track the impact the sector has on the environment.
The findings were launched today at the United Nations in New York at the UN 2023 Water Conference.
Direct Water Use
Speaking at the UN Headquarters, Chris Imbsen, Director of Sustainability at WTTC, revealed that Travel & Tourism's entire water footprint is just 0.6% of the global water use according to the latest figures (2021).
In 2019, when the sector was at its peak, the sector's total water footprint was only 50% higher, but still less than 1% of the global total at 0.9%.
Travel & Tourism's direct water use is significantly lower – in 2019 it was 0.2% of the global total and has fallen by half to just 0.1% of the global total.
Much of the sector's water use is indirect, through its supply chain, with agriculture and food production accounting for two-thirds of Travel & Tourism's entire water footprint.
Between 2010 and 2019, the Travel & Tourism sector in Europe and Africa reduced direct water use. In Europe, direct water use fell by 8% and in Africa, direct water use by the sector fell by 6%.
Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: "This ground-breaking new data reveals our sector's water consumption for the first time ever, revealing that Travel & Tourism uses less than 1% of the water used around the world, with the overwhelming majority of that usage coming from the sector's supply chain.
"The data also shows that whilst the sector has grown economically around the world, its direct-use water intensity has decreased.
"The data is the most in depth study of the sector's water use, and like the world-first climate footprint data we released at our Global Summit in Riyadh last year, we can also reveal individual countries' Travel & Tourism sector's water footprints. This will enable governments to work with the sector to further reduce water usage."
Water Intensity
The water intensity of Travel & Tourism per unit of GDP has also fallen since 2010, across both direct and indirect use.
In 2010, the sector used 0.57m³ of water for every $1 contributed to the global economy. In 2019 this fell by 19% to reach 0.46m³ of water for every $1 contributed to the global economy.
In a world-first, this comprehensive research covers 185 countries across all regions and will be updated each year with revised figures.
This research was made possible thanks to the partnership between WTTC and the Saudi-based Sustainable Tourism Global Center. Under the Saudi green Initiative, more than 60 initiatives have been launched in the past year, representing more than $186 billion of investment in the green economy.
About the World Travel & Tourism Council
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) represents the global travel & tourism private sector. Members include 200 CEOs, Chairs and Presidents of the world's leading travel & tourism companies from all geographies covering all industries. For more than 30 years, WTTC has been committed to raising the awareness of governments and the public of the economic and social significance of the travel & tourism sector.
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TRAVEL TECHNOLOGY
Plusgrade | March 01, 2023
Plusgrade, an ancillary revenue solutions provider for the travel industry, announced its extensive partnership with AirAsia. This partnership would empower AirAsia customers to bid for upgrades and reservations for extra space and comfort.
The travel industry is in progress, starting with the relaxation of the travel restrictions for the Asia-Pacific region in early 2023. Ancillary services are an excellent option for enhancing customer experience and revenue generation. They would help airline, rail, and hotel companies with travel returns so that the returns could even exceed those before the pandemic. Travelers are more interested in a streamlined travel experience for innovation and comfort, improving their journey. The ancillary services like upgrades and extra space beside their seats for flight reservations would make travel more pleasant. More space gives them an area to stretch and relax, and the upgrades allow travelers to avail of premium products and services that are generally out of reach.
CEO of Plusgrade, Ken Harris, said, "We are thrilled to join forces with AirAsia to support them in driving meaningful ancillary revenue through incredible traveler experiences." He added, "We look forward to supporting AirAsia as they continue to innovate and develop new products and services for their customers, and to expanding our footprint in the thriving APAC region."
(Source – Cision PR Newswire)
Group Chief Commercial Officer of AirAsia, Ms. Karen Chan said, "This collaboration will enable us to offer more passengers the chance to access our premium products and services, such as our award-winning premium flatbeds or hot seats with extra legroom. We are confident that our guests will love this innovative and seamless way to enhance their travel experience."
(Source – Cision PR Newswire)
About Plusgrade
Headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, Plusgrade, an IT consulting and services provider for the travel industry, offers solutions for ancillary revenue powerhouse, upsell, merchandising, and revenue upgrade platforms for the airline industry worldwide. It assists airline, hospitality, passenger rail, cruise, and financial services companies with revenue generation through excellent customer experience. Its ancillary revenue powerhouse generates massive revenue in a single new revenue opportunity in its platform for its partners. In addition, it enhances travel experiences for its partners' passengers and guests. Finally, its premium upgrade bidding accelerates return on unsold premium inventory for an engaging and effortless customer journey.
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