Namibia sees rise in UK tourists for wildlife travel

Travel Daily Media | August 20, 2019

Namibia Tourism Board has revealed findings from a research on the UK outbound market which shows 33% of UK visitors to the country booked their visit via a travel agent and 33% via a tour operator.The report titled  Long Haul Traveller Perceptions of Namibia  was carried out by Acorn Tourism Development Consultants in April and polled 500 people who had taken a long haul holiday in the last two years.When planning their holiday to Namibia, 28% of participants used the internet, 23% used guide books and 13% used holiday brochures. Surprisingly, only 8% used holiday forums such as Trip Advisor for research into the destination.

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.

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TRAVEL TECHNOLOGY

Canada Jetlines' Seat Inventory Opens for Sabre-connected Travel Agent

Canada Jetlines | March 08, 2023

Canada Jetlines, an airline and aviation company, has recently confirmed that travel agents in Canada can access its seat inventory for booking and viewing through the Sabre Global Distribution System, increasing its geographic reach and targeting new leisure traveler segments. Sabre Corporation is a worldwide software and technology solutions provider dedicated to the travel industry. It could sell Canada Jetlines' seat inventory for its subscribers. With Sabre's global marketplace, Canada Jetlines would increase its geographic reach and target new leisure traveler segments. In addition, it will provide travel agents with more options for optimal client experiences. It has announced new markets in Melbourne/Orlando, Florida, Las Vegas and Cancun, Mexico. These markets would begin operations in February and March 2023, respectively. Flights booking are available on jetlines.com or contact the travel agency. It will operate this network with a fleet of Airbus A320 aircraft. Canada Jetlines' Chief Commercial Officer, Duncan Bureau said, "We are excited to be able to distribute our seats through Sabre's extensive global marketplace." He added, "Canada Jetlines has built strong relationships with the Travel Agency community who will benefit from the ease of booking flights and vacations within the Sabre environment. The airline is looking forward to adding more markets and partners across North America, Mexico, and the Caribbean." (Source – Business Wire) VP and Regional General Manager - North America, Sabre Travel Solutions, John Bailey said, "Sabre is pleased Canada Jetlines has chosen to distribute its content through the Sabre global marketplace." He added, "We look forward to supporting Canada Jetlines' ambitious growth objectives and making the airline's content available to the hundreds of thousands of travel agents using Sabre around the world." (Source – Business Wire) About Canada Jetlines Headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada Jetlines, an airline with a value-focused leisure carrier, utilizes a growing fleet of Airbus A320 aircraft for more travel options to preferred locations within the U.S., Caribbean, and Mexico. It has been connecting with travel agencies for transformation and convenience in the air travel industry since 2021. With an experienced team and efficient aircraft design, it provides cost-effective and competitive flight options to the Canadian market and beyond. With a state-of-the-art web booking platform, it makes turnkey solutions available to travel agents, tour operators, and consumers. In addition, it generates revenue from reservations and ancillary sales.

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HOSPITALITY TRENDS

Plusgrade Adds Upstay for Its Ancillary Revenue Solutions of Hospitality Industry

Plusgrade | February 01, 2023

On January 31, 2023, Plusgrade announced the acquisition of UpStay, a fast-expanding provider of upgrade and auxiliary revenue solutions for the hospitality industry. UpStay helps hundreds of hotels in 17 different countries make more money by giving their guests more value. Meanwhile, this integration strengthens its five global travel ventures, adding hotel upgrades and other innovative ancillaries to its ancillary revenue and loyalty products. As a result, it expects to generate about $5 billion in new revenue opportunities for its partners in 2023. Ken Harris, CEO of Plusgrade, said, "The acquisition of UpStay is another step forward for our vision and mission of becoming the Global Ancillary Revenue Powerhouse. 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 - Cision PR Newswire) Tzafrir Blonder, CEO of UpStay, expressed, "This is an exciting day for UpStay. After 4 years of incredible growth and success, we are thrilled to be joining forces with Plusgrade to invest further in our product offerings and enhance our ability to drive ancillary revenue for our partners through upselling additional on-property amenities and services. I look forward to continuing to lead the hospitality ancillaries vertical in the company, as we grow with Plusgrade in 2023 and beyond." (Source – Cision PR Newswire) About Plusgrade Plusgrade, one of the leading technology companies providing ancillary revenue solutions in the global travel industry, has partnered with about 140 airlines, hotels, cruise lines, financial services companies, and passenger rails worldwide since 2009. Headquartered in Montreal, it assists companies in creating new revenue streams and travel experiences for their guests and passengers. It maximizes the return on unsold premium inventory through the customer journey. The company provides travel partners with incremental ancillary revenue and merchandising strategies by introducing new products, loyal branding, and customer satisfaction.

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HOSPITALITY TRENDS

Highgate Announces New Developments in Europe

Highgate | January 23, 2023

Highgate, a company involved in hotel management, investment, technology, and development, has announced the launch of HG Portugal, as well as the relaunch of the Dorsett City London Hotel. HG Portugal opens with a portfolio of 18 hotels in several Portuguese markets, including Lisbon, Algarve, and Porto. The portfolio includes hotels under the Hilton and IHG brand families and many notable independent hotels, such as Salgados Palace, Cascade Resort, and Sao Rafael Atlantico. In addition, the portfolio spans urban full-service hotels, waterfront luxury resorts, lifestyle boutique hotels, and large convention facilities, all drawing from core competencies across Highgate's global footprint. Highgate has selected Alexandre Solleiro as Chief Executive Officer of HG Portugal as part of its efforts to build a best-in-class operating capability in Portugal. Alexandre Solleiro brings more than 30 years of hospitality leadership expertise in Portugal, and he is supported by a dedicated leadership team from all disciplines. The team will leverage Highgate's existing resources and platforms in Europe, the Caribbean, the United States, and Latin America while also bringing specialized Portugal-based experience. Highgate brings global experience as an owner/operator in leisure destination markets and lifestyle, branded, and city-center hotels to the Portugal market. It adds unique value to its managed hotels via a platform designed to optimize distribution, operational efficiencies, and hotel concept development. The launch of HG Portugal follows the October 2021 announcement of two portfolio additions in the UK market: Grosvenor House Suites in London's Mayfair District and the Dorsett City London Hotel. As part of a more extensive repositioning, Highgate will also begin running the Dorsett City London Hotel using a relaunched concept on March 1, 2023. Arash Azarbarzin, Chief Executive Officer of Highgate, stated, "The launch of HG Portugal complements Highgate's recent re-entry into the UK management space, furthering the application of our proven business towards strategic global opportunities." He added, "Honed over the last 30 years, we will apply our innovative approach to operations, distribution, food and beverage, branding, and positioning during a remarkable moment for Portugal, as more travelers are discovering its magnificence as a prime destination." (Source – PR Newswire) About Highgate New York-based Highgate is a leading hospitality management and investment company. It is a prominent figure in the US gateway markets, which include Boston, Honolulu, Miami, San Francisco, and New York. It is also expanding its presence in Europe using properties in Barcelona and London. Highgate offers professional guidance at every stage of the hospitality property cycle, from development and planning to disposition or recapitalization. Highgate is a trusted partner for major hotel brands and top ownership groups, with an executive team comprised of some of the industry's most experienced hotel management leaders.

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