TRAVEL TECHNOLOGY

Corporate Traveler Launches Melon, A New Travel Platform Built Exclusively for SMEs

Corporate Traveler | September 22, 2021

Ahead of the predicted boost in business travel demand, Corporate Traveler, the only global TMC catering exclusively for start-ups to mid-market businesses, has unveiled Melon – its new proprietary travel management platform. Launching in the US and Canada , Melon's intuitive design and simple navigation belies a host of innovative features developed in response to the evolving expectations of an increasingly travel hungry, tech-savvy and budget conscious workforce.

Commenting on the motivation for the development of Melon, Chris Lynes, Senior Vice President for Corporate Traveler said: "During this period of pause, we listened to our customers and adapted our offerings, investing in a next generation digital experience that combines rich content supported by our trademark dedicated and personalized service. Simple to use and tailored to meet the exacting needs of our customers, Melon is a different type of travel platform  one that goes the extra mile just like our people.

"Our clients tell us that travel is crucial to their success, and in the US, we are already seeing encouraging signs of recovery with 35% uplift on bookings made in August alone. This indicates strong desire to return to in-person meetings in the months ahead," added Lynes.

Seamless online experience, tailored to individual needs
As a business travel expert, Corporate Traveler understands that an accessible, on-the-go travel management solution is business critical to its customers; therefore, the new omni-channel platform has been designed to switch between mobile and desktop without losing functionality.

With Melon, admins are also able to control travel options, by setting personalized algorithms and even individual spend levels. Armed with this information, the platform's AI technology does the legwork and removes the frustration typically associated when searching via multiple sites, serving up a variety of choices based on learned behaviors to align with company travel policies and program goals, while taking traveler preferences and loyalty affiliations into consideration. A breakdown of spend, alongside dashboard analysis of important KPI metrics in real-time, also helps customers extract key data needed to inform decision making and accurately manage finances.

Combining technology and personal service to support customers 24/7
Unsurprisingly, as barriers to international movement lift and companies resume travel programs, duty of care has been identified as a priority. Corporate Traveler addresses this in multiple ways with Melon: from displaying the latest guidance before booking to proactively sharing live updates. Program admins can also track employees' whereabouts in real-time, while Melon's robust health and safety capabilities provides prompt alerts on risk-related events impacting travel such as country entry requirements, latest government and supplier COVID restrictions, adverse weather, crime and more. These features are underpinned by access to dedicated travel consultants 24/7, 365 days a year.

Lynes added: "In this ever-evolving travel environment, it is difficult to keep track of the latest developments across the world. Melon ensures our customers are informed and aware at every step of their booking journey. And while on the go, help is always an instant away whether via Melon's AI mobile chat function or the expert assistance of our agent support team. At Corporate Traveler, every customer is considered a VIP, so we pride ourselves in always extending the highest level of service to all travelers at all times – with no exceptions."

Access to a competitively priced, truly global inventory
Corporate Traveler customers also enjoy an expansive choice of travel content and options sourced from the widest range of travel suppliers. And being part of industry powerhouse the Flight Centre Travel Group, this means the best market wide rates, unique added-value benefits, and exclusive deals too.

In the US, Corporate Traveler provides expert travel management services to over 6,000 businesses across the country, where its teams in more than 20 US cities are dedicated to making corporate travel simpler, faster, and easier for customers.

About Corporate Traveler
Corporate Traveler is the only global TMC catering exclusively to start-ups and mid-market businesses. Established in 1993, the company is present in seven countries where it provides expert tailored advice, dedicated travel managers, and innovative, advanced booking technology to more than 14,000 customers worldwide in a typical year. Being part of industry powerhouse the Flight Centre Travel Group, access to a competitively priced, truly global inventory alongside added-value benefits and exclusive deals comes as standard. Corporate Traveler recently unveiled Melon – its new proprietary, on-the-go travel management platform featuring intuitive navigation and a seamless end-to-end online experience to help customers easily book, manage, and measure the performance of their business travel programs.

Spotlight

Paired with changing workforce dynamics, contact centers are coping with issues such as economic uncertainty, customer vulnerability, an increase in global compliance regulations and ongoing pandemic-related disruptions —
from the supply chain to employee health concerns. A perfect storm of external factors have led to higher interaction volumes and more complex customer conversations.

Spotlight

Paired with changing workforce dynamics, contact centers are coping with issues such as economic uncertainty, customer vulnerability, an increase in global compliance regulations and ongoing pandemic-related disruptions —
from the supply chain to employee health concerns. A perfect storm of external factors have led to higher interaction volumes and more complex customer conversations.

Related News

COMMERCIAL TRAVEL, INDUSTRY OUTLOOK

777 Travel Technology Is Now GO7 with a Mission to Transform Travel Brands

GO7 | February 08, 2023

On February 7, 2023, GO7, formerly 777 Travel, launched its new brand as part of a larger strategy to connect its processes, teams, and corporate portfolio around its central mission to transform travel brands by putting control back in their hands. The launch of GO7 is a significant milestone in a multi-year plan to re-architect traditional airline solutions behind the scenes. It follows the acquisition of Air Black Box, WorldTicket, and AeroCRS by 777 Partners. GO7 solidifies 777 Partners' innovative travel technology strategy, centered on developing new commerce channels for airlines and travel companies and enhancing next-generation distribution, interlining, retailing, and passenger connectivity. Over 185 network, low-cost, regional, and rail operations use the company's travel technology solutions. These include global ticketing and distribution services, loyalty and payment platforms, next-generation passenger service systems, and baggage, interlining, and disruption solutions that help airlines enable customers' connected journeys and efficiently generate revenue. GO7 is poised to pioneer industry restructuring at a time when it is essential for travel brands to transform, and its leadership team is committed to democratizing air travel and reimagining the travel experience. Meir Hadassi Turner, Chief Executive Officer of GO7, shared, "There's more passion and desire for travel from consumers than ever before, and demand is surging from new places and new operators. GO7 is an exciting moment for us and a key milestone in our journey to help airlines and travel brands meet this demand, generate more dynamic experiences and accelerate revenue growth without adding layers of complexity." He added, "This moment also recognises our valued customers and partners who have supported this journey and will be at the centre of everything through our next chapter." (Source – Cision PR Newswire) About GO7 London-based GO7 represents a fresh approach to travel technology, with the belief that airlines and other travel operators should regain control through flexible, customer-centric technology. The path to GO7 began with the acquisitions of AeroCRS, WorldTicket, and AirBlackBox by its investment firm, 777 Partners. The suite of integrated solutions provided by GO7 enables airlines to transform their commercial operations through modern, adaptable technology flexibly designed as a "one-stop" or custom solution. Over 185 airlines worldwide already utilize the firm's services, proving its foundations are solid

Read More

AIRLINES AND AIRPORTS, INDUSTRY OUTLOOK

FLYR Partners with Azul to Optimize Revenue Management

FLYR Labs | January 30, 2023

FLYR Labs, an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven forecasting, pricing, and commercial-wide decision-making solutions provider, recently partnered with Brazilian airline Azul to implement FLYR's advanced AI technologies. The technologies will enhance the airline's revenue management strategy, beginning with fare bundles and ancillary product optimization, addressing the growing customer demands. FLYR will provide Azul with comprehensive pricing, data management, and forecasting capabilities that enable personalized offers for customers to assist the airline in achieving its goal of allowing total revenue management and dynamic offer optimization. Azul's primary source of profit is the sale of ancillary products such as priority boarding, seat selection, luggage, and fare families. The AI-based Revenue Optimization solution offered by FLYR combines all available historical and real-time data with deep learning algorithms to determine the ideal pricing and distribution strategy. The solution from FLYR will enable Azul to provide real-time prices for each customer's shopping request or as a scheduled continuous price. This allows the airline to provide travelers with the right ancillaries at the perfect price, with little change to the present shopping infrastructure. It also predicts anticipated revenues for each flight, all within an intuitive user interface. Since its start in 2008, Azul has been the fastest-growing airline in Brazil, and it now has the country's largest airline network in terms of cities served, with flights to over 150 destinations. Alex Mans, Founder and CEO of FLYR, commented, "We're excited to partner with Azul and harness the power of AI to improve their revenue management and offerings for customers." He added, "The limitations of legacy technology mean airlines have historically struggled to understand how changes in fares can affect ancillary revenues. Through our partnership, we will provide Azul with a crucial competitive advantage when it comes to boosting profitability and enhancing the customer experience." (Source – GlobeNewswire) About FLYR Labs Based in Santa Monica (California), FLYR Labs provides airlines with the intelligence and insight they need to make the best-informed decisions through its proprietary Revenue Operating System. Its vertically integrated platform combines data, forecasting, reporting, pricing, and simulation capabilities into a "single pane of glass" that informs and automates all commercial functions. The company solves complex problems with brilliantly engineered solutions that rely on end-to-end Managed Data Infrastructure and deep learning (AI) to assist leading airlines worldwide in achieving their full potential.

Read More

TRAVEL TECHNOLOGY,AIRLINES AND AIRPORTS

Fareportal's OTAs Become the First in the United States to Offer Arajet Flights

Fareportal | December 30, 2022

The Dominican Republic's newest national carrier, Arajet, is now being offered for flights by CheapOair and OneTravel, the first online travel agencies in the US to do so. Arajet is the newest low-cost carrier in the Dominican Republic. It began operations on September 15 and has already launched a route network that spans a wide range, with 18 destinations in 11 different countries. With plans to transport more than 7 million passengers over the next five years, the airline will contribute to an increase in tourism throughout the region, which will result in the creation of thousands of jobs in the area. There are currently flights departing from Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala, El Salvador, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Peru, Jamaica, Aruba, St. Maarten, and Curacao that arrive in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. More flights are scheduled to depart from other countries in the near future. Fareportal is of the view that Arajet selected these brands as the OTA platforms to introduce their expanding route network to U.S. travelers, knowing that Fareportal will support them with industry-leading technology and an unwavering dedication to exceptional customer service. Arajet stated that it is pleased to collaborate with Fareportal as well as its online travel agencies, CheapOair and OneTravel. In order to provide the Dominican diaspora with the most affordable travel options to see friends and family, the company plans to open 17 new destinations in the United States in the upcoming months. Additionally, the company thinks this alliance will propel its vision. Experts in the aviation sector believe that low-cost carriers (LCCs) are ideally placed for growth. In 2021, three new carriers debuted in the United States, and more than 20 are anticipated to do so globally in 2022. AboutFareportal Fareportal, developing industry-defining technology since 2002, has emerged as a travel technology leader. With offices in New York, Canada, India, Las Vegas, Mexico, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom, the company caters to over 2,500 people across nearly five time zones.

Read More