AIRLINES AND AIRPORTS
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
BUSINESS TRAVEL, AIRLINES AND AIRPORTS
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
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.
Read More