Travel Technology
Spirit Airlines | September 13, 2023
Cover Genius announced entering into a partnership with Spirit Airlines.
By integrating the company's XCover, Cover Genius empowers its partners to provide personalized protection options during the checkout process.
Through this partnership, Spirit Airlines' passengers enjoy a top-tier experience, featuring straightforward protection options during booking and seamless digital claims processing.
On September 12, 2023, Cover Genius, a leading insurtech for embedded protection, providing a global distribution platform for any insurance or other type of protection, announced a partnership with Spirit Airlines, a market leader in offering customizable travel options starting with an unbundled fare.
This integration with Cover Genius' award-winning global distribution platform, XCover, will offer Spirit Airlines' non-US and non-Canadian citizen passengers the opportunity to purchase personalized embedded protection. This coverage comes with the added benefit of a swift claims process, marking the first time such an option is available to them.
Cover Genius, selected as the insurtech partner for some of the world's largest airlines, empowers its partners to provide customized protection options during the checkout process. These options can be flexibly bundled or unbundled to cater to each customer's specific requirements. With licenses or authorizations spanning over 60 countries and encompassing all 50 US states, Cover Genius enables partners to effortlessly extend protection to customers from any location, facilitating international expansion.
Rana Ghosh, Vice President of Omnichannel Sales at Spirit Airlines, said,
We are committed to providing our Guests with the best value in the sky, unbundled fares and customizable travel options.
[Source – Globe Newswire]
Partnering with Cover Genius enables them to augment the Guest experience. It allows them to provide customized travel protection for various regions and destinations, added Ghosh.
Through the partnership, Spirit Airlines' passengers enjoy a best-in-class experience with straightforward protection options while booking and seamless digital claims processing. The management of Guests' requirements, starting from the initial sale to administration and claims, is efficiently handled by Cover Genius' consumer brand, XCover.com. This exceptional service has led to an industry-leading post-claims Net Promoter Score (NPS) of +65. Furthermore, the award-winning service design has demonstrated a remarkable 7x reduction in support tickets.
Angus McDonald, CEO and Co-Founder of Cover Genius, stated,
We are thrilled to partner with Spirit Airlines to help international travelers feel more confident in their booking.
[Source – Globe Newswire]
While embedded protection in travel is a common practice, many airlines provide customers with a standard one-size-fits-all policy that fails to address the varying needs of different travelers. The approach has been changed to offer customers flexible protection, customized according to their itinerary or destination, and supported by real-time data. Additionally, customers benefit from a hassle-free claims process that includes instant payments in more than 90 currencies, said McDonald.
International Guests with Spirit Airlines now have the choice to acquire embedded protection supported by XCover. Notably, Spirit Airlines presently serves 27 destinations spanning 14 countries outside of the United States.
Read More
.jpg)
Hospitality Management
PR Newswire | October 20, 2023
Aimbridge Hospitality EMEA, a division of global management leader Aimbridge Hospitality, has been appointed by Santa Maria Group to manage its independent, 402-key Grand Luxor Hotel & Village resort on the Costa Blanca beginning October 1, 2023. The deal marks a major milestone for both companies, signaling their joint ambition to accelerate growth and provide exceptional experiences in the market.
A leading hospitality management company and the world's largest third-party hotel operator, Aimbridge EMEA is expected to bring its two decades of operational expertise and award-winning talent development to the four-star rated resort. The Grand Luxor Hotel & Village houses a 300-guest room hotel, including two Presidential Suites, five food and beverage outlets and 102 villas, boasting both communal and private swimming pools.
Located adjacent to the Terra Mitica theme park, and a 40-minute drive away from Alicante Airport, the resort also offers a spa, a gym, three outdoor pools, mini golf, a kids' club, and more than 1,500 sqm of meetings and events space. The hotel will benefit from the Terra Mitica Convention Centre and world class event spaces, totalling 12,000sqm, including an Iberian Village, and a 3,000 sqm Circus Maximus Auditorium.
Terra Mitica is under the same ownership group and the theme park is a key destination for family tourism in the area.
David Anderson, Divisional President at Aimbridge EMEA, said: "We are incredibly excited to partner with Santa Maria Group and announce our entry into the Spanish market. The Grand Luxor Hotel & Village, located on the Costa Blanca - one of Spain's most popular tourist destinations - is an impressive and sought-out resort, and we look forward to helping the owners meet their growth goals."
Formerly known as Interstate Hotels & Resorts, Aimbridge EMEA has seen development deals across Europe soar over the last six months, as travel returns to pre-pandemic levels and investors regain confidence in the hotel and tourism sectors.
"As a division of global powerhouse Aimbridge Hospitality, this deal also reflects our commitment to accelerate growth across the region. The Iberian Peninsula has been a major focus for our development plans over the last 12 months, and we have made sizable investments in the market, including several new hires in key locations, such as Madrid and Barcelona," Anderson continued.
"We see many opportunities to bring our management expertise to the Spanish region and beyond, utilising Aimbridge's industry-leading technologies, systems and talent to create great experiences for guests, and superior returns for investors and owners."
In addition to its entry into Spain, the company has also announced a number of new additions to its EMEA portfolio in recent months, including the Holiday Inn Eindhoven Airport, the Adagio Aparthotel Antwerp City Centre, and the Alliance Palace in Batumi, Georgia.
Last month, the business welcomed industry veteran, Niall Kelly, who has been appointed as Head of Development – EMEA, bringing more than 25 years of significant deal-making experience within international markets to his role.
Anderson added: "We're focused on attracting top talent with expertise in multiple languages and across all verticals, building on our relationships with both existing and new hotel owners to create returns and unlock more opportunities for their properties.
"The strong growth in project numbers that we're seeing across Europe is testament to this approach, and the many benefits Aimbridge's global scale and industry experience can offer owners within the hospitality space."
The Aimbridge Hospitality global portfolio, inclusive of managed and pipeline properties, includes approximately 1,500 hotels in 20 countries around the world.
Read More
Travel Technology
Business Wire | October 30, 2023
Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced the opening of Hyatt Regency Changshu Kuncheng Lake, a timeless urban haven on the east bank of Kuncheng Lake and one of the highest hotels in Changshu, with panoramic lake, city, mountain and sunset views.
Located a one-hour drive from Suzhou, Wuxi and Shanghai, with convenient access to Changshu’s intercity train network, the hotel offers the perfect retreat from the hustle and bustle. Changshu is hailed as the blessed land in the south of Yangtze River, a destination of spectacular natural beauty where green mountains stretch into the city and water flows to the sea. With a history dating back more than 3,000 years, it is also an important birthplace of Wu culture, which is characterized as being delicate, graceful and refined, having preserved many unique cultural traditions nonextant in other regions of China.
“We are excited to welcome guests to Hyatt Regency Changshu Kuncheng Lake, an ideal destination for discovering the unique historical, cultural and natural richness of Changshu,” said Frank Chen, general manager, Hyatt Regency Changshu Kuncheng Lake. “With modern guestrooms, delightful culinary experiences and flexible event spaces accompanied by thoughtful service, our hotel offers a vibrant new stay experience in Changshu and a premier gathering venue.”
Contemporary Design
Owned by fashion and textile giant Bosideng, the hotel is designed as a modern reflection of Yushan Mountain’s cultural heritage infused with Bosideng’s dynamic spirit of creativity and innovation. The result is a distinctive contemporary edge including décor inspired by feathers and the timeless charm of the traditional guqin instrument, which creates a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere. The harmony of modernity and tradition expressed in artwork, murals and motifs around the hotel transforms every space into a gallery of sophistication.
Spacious Accommodation
Hyatt Regency Changshu Kuncheng Lake offers 289 spacious guestrooms and suites ranging from 430 to 1722 square feet (40 to 160 square meters), furnished in contemporary style with plush fabrics, marble bathrooms, a work desk and floor-to-ceiling windows offering memorable lake or city views. Thoughtful amenities such as high-speed Wi-Fi, a Bluetooth sound system and satellite TV ensure guests stay well connected and entertained, while Regency Club access in premier rooms provides complimentary privileges such as afternoon tea and evening cocktails.
For families and guests with longer stays, the hotel offers two-bedroom suites with additional space for added convenience. Meanwhile, the Presidential Suite on the 33rd floor provides a residential-style retreat with a dining room, kitchen and study.
Culinary Experiences
Surrounded by sweeping views from the 36th to 38th floors, the hotel’s four distinct dining venues indulge guests in a variety of culinary experiences ranging from local street food to international fusion cuisine. Market Café satisfies appetites throughout the day with an array of international flavors, including abundant buffet selections. Xiang Yue showcases local cuisine and Zhejiang Chinese specialties crafted with fresh seasonal ingredients and offers eight exclusive private dining room settings for business dinners, social gatherings and celebrations. At Yinxiu 36, guests can savor the authentic teppanyaki cooked right before their eyes in an interactive journey of gastronomy. Come evening, The Lounge is the perfect place to unwind, enjoying signature canapés and cocktails in a social ambience with live music.
Recreation and Wellness
A 24-hour fitness center and an indoor swimming pool with stunning lake views make it easy for guests to relax and recharge after a day of business or sightseeing.
Guests can also enjoy Changshu’s pleasantly mild climate while immersing in lakeside activities such as cycling and kite-flying. The hotel is also well placed for guests to explore Changshu’s stunning landscapes, whether hiking up its most prominent peak at Yushan Mountain National Forest Park or taking a scenic boat ride through Shajiabang National Wetland Park.
Meetings, Weddings and Events
Offering over 25,994 square feet (2,415 square meters) of versatile spaces, Hyatt Regency Changshu Kuncheng Lake provides an exceptional setting for business and social events and once-in-a-lifetime celebrations, whether on an intimate or large scale.
Its largest venue is the Regency Ballroom, one of two pillar-free ballrooms, spanning 9,149 square feet (850 square meters) with a separate lounge area, built-in LED screen and French windows. The hotel also boasts ten meeting rooms and boardrooms equipped with state-of-the-art audio-visual technology, as well as exclusive spaces suited for private parties and VIP events. Coupled with the support of its event specialists and catering experts, Hyatt Regency Changshu Kuncheng Lake is set to become a go-to gathering place for a successful and stress-free event experience.
World of Hyatt Gives Members 500 Reasons to Stay Somewhere New
To provide World of Hyatt members even more ways to be rewarded, World of Hyatt is offering members the opportunity to earn 500 Bonus Points for qualifying nights at Hyatt Regency Changshu Kuncheng Lake, from November 1, 2023 to January 31, 2024, part of World of Hyatt’s new hotel member offer. Additional participating hotels and their offer stay periods can be found at worldofhyatt.com/newhotelbonus. No registration is required and members can earn on top of other offers.
Read More