TRAVEL TECHNOLOGY
TravelCenters of America | March 17, 2023
TravelCenters of America Inc., nationwide operator and franchisor of the TA, Petro Stopping Centers and TA Express travel center network, announced today exciting updates to its full-service restaurant business.
Chef Maira Isabel now serves as TA’s Corporate Executive Chef, and will focus on adding flavorful, healthy offerings and integrating food trends and regional specialties into the menus of TA’s Country Pride and Iron Skillet restaurants. Before moving to the US, Chef Maira was a chef and on-air talent for multiple television shows for many years and was the Puerto Rico hostess of Bizarre Foods – Travel Channel. Her career has spanned TV, print and online publications including the Cooking Network, Travel Channel and Food & Beverage Magazine and she is a best-selling cookbook author. She has spent time perfecting her culinary skills in Italy, France, Colombia, Spain, Mexico and Morocco.
With over 150 full-service restaurants nationwide, TA continues expanding its portfolio to serve the needs of all travelers. In addition to proprietary brands Country Pride and Iron Skillet, TA launched Fork & Compass in January 2023 in Perrysburg, Ohio. Fork & Compass is designed to be an attractive option for all travelers and a destination spot for the community, with unique food options in a casual, comfortable, family-friendly atmosphere. TA also added five IHOPs and two Black Bear Diners in 2022, with plans to open more full-service restaurants this year.
TA will continue supporting the health and well-being of all travelers through its collaboration with Cleveland Clinic. Chef Maira’s menus will offer healthy meal options approved by Cleveland Clinic and highlighted with a heart-healthy logo. TA plans to expand beyond these menu offerings by working with Cleveland Clinic to identify healthy snack and grab-and-go food options in its travel stores.
“Chef Maira’s diverse background working in restaurants around the world, coupled with her sincere passion and enthusiasm, will elevate the sit-down dining experience at our travel centers,” said Lloyd Sanford, SVP, Hospitality. “Every culinary decision will be focused on ensuring we deliver on our mission of returning every traveler to the road better than they came.”
About TravelCenters of America
TravelCenters of America Inc. is the nation's largest publicly traded full-service travel center network. Founded in 1972 and headquartered in Westlake, Ohio, its over 18,000 team members serve guests in 285 locations in 44 states, principally under the TA®, Petro Stopping Centers and TA Express® brands. Offerings include diesel and gasoline fuel, truck maintenance and repair, full-service and quick-service restaurants, travel stores, car and truck parking and other services dedicated to providing great experiences for its guests. TA is committed to sustainability, with its specialized business unit, eTA, focused on sustainable energy options for professional drivers and motorists. TA operates over 600 full-service and quick-service restaurants and nine proprietary brands, including Iron Skillet® and Country Pride.
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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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TRAVEL TECHNOLOGY
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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