TRAVEL TECHNOLOGY
Plusgrade | February 23, 2023
Plusgrade, the global travel industry's premier provider of ancillary revenue solutions, recently announced the acquisition of UpStay, a growing upgrade and ancillary revenue solutions provider for the hospitality industry. UpStay supports hundreds of hotels throughout 17 countries by aiding hoteliers in growing ancillary revenue by delivering numerous value-added revenue streams to their guests.
Since its inception in 2019, UpStay has been acknowledged for its innovative technology, receiving the 2021 People's Choice Innovation Award (Phocuswright Travel Awards) and the 2022 World's Best Hotel Tech Startup (World Travel Tech Awards).
Plusgrade's acquisition of Points, the global leader in powering loyalty commerce, brought together two of the largest ancillary revenue solutions under one umbrella. Now, the company has initiated a new phase of rapid expansion. By adding UpStay, which provides hotel upgrades and other ancillary revenue solutions, to its portfolio, enhances its ability to deliver comprehensive and diverse services to its global customer base.
This move positions Plusgrade to make a more significant impact on travel businesses worldwide, ultimately leading to increased customer satisfaction. UpStay will be incorporated into the Plusgrade brand over the next few weeks and will operate as Plusgrade going forward.
Ken Harris, CEO of Plusgrade, shared, "The acquisition of UpStay is another step forward for our vision and mission of becoming the Global Ancillary Revenue Powerhouse." He adds, "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 – PR Newswire)
About Plusgrade
Plusgrade offers a portfolio of premium ancillary revenue solutions that power the travel industry. With over 200 clients from various sectors, including airline, cruise, passenger rail, hospitality, and financial services, the company creates new, meaningful revenue streams by delivering exceptional customer experiences. As an ancillary revenue powerhouse, it has created new revenue opportunities worth billions of dollars across its platform, enhancing travel experiences for millions of passengers and guests. Founded in 2009 with headquarters in Montreal, the organization has a global presence with offices located worldwide.
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AIRLINES AND AIRPORTS
Canada Jetlines | February 21, 2023
Canada Jetlines Operations Ltd. has recently confirmed that Canadian travel agents can now monitor and book Canada Jetlines seat inventory through the Sabre Global Distribution System. Sabre Corporation, a leading provider of software and technology to the global travel industry, will enable its subscribers based in Canada to sell Canada Jetlines inventory through this collaboration.
Duncan Bureau, Chief Commercial Officer at Canada Jetlines, shared, "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 – PR Newswire)
By partnering with Sabre and joining its global marketplace, Canada Jetlines will gain greater visibility among travel agents and consumers, allowing the airline to expand its geographic reach and attract new leisure travelers to its network. This move will enable the company to enhance its customer base and improve customer loyalty by providing travel agents with more options to create optimal travel experiences for their clients.
The airline has also announced plans to launch new routes to Melbourne/Orlando, Las Vegas, and Cancun, Mexico in February and March of 2023. These new routes will expand Canada Jetlines' network and provide more options for travelers looking to avail of its services. To support this expansion, Canada Jetlines will use Airbus A320 aircrafts, which are well-suited for short and medium-haul flights, offering passengers a comfortable and efficient travel experience.
About Canada Jetlines
Canada Jetlines is a Toronto-based leisure carrier offering affordable flights to popular destinations. With a 100% equity financing and a well-capitalized business model, the company operates a growing fleet of Airbus 320 aircraft, providing economical pricing to the Canadian market and beyond. The company’s experienced team and efficient aircraft design enable them to deliver value-focused travel options to their customers. Utilizing a state-of-the-art web booking platform, it aims to offer a seamless, turnkey solution for travel agents, tour operators, and consumers, while generating revenue on reservations and ancillary sales.
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TRAVEL TECHNOLOGY
businesswire | March 31, 2023
GigNet, a Digital Transformation company that provides high-speed broadband and advanced value-added services to enterprise clients and residential communities based on its extensive fiber-optic network from Cancun to Tulum, announced today the signing of a Collaboration Agreement with the State of Quintana Roo Ministry of Tourism to enhance the tourism experience in the Cancun region. The signing took place at the 47th annual edition of the Tianguis Turistico México, an international showcase for the Mexico tourism industry. Quintana Roo Governor María Elena Lezama Espinosa attended the ceremony and signed the agreement as a Witness of Honor. Quintana Roo enjoys connectivity to more than 120 cities around the world through its three international airports, hosting more than 30 million passengers at the Cancun Airport in 2022.
The overall purpose of the Collaboration Agreement, signed by State Secretary of Tourism Bernardo Cueto Riestra on behalf of the Quintana Roo Ministry of Tourism (SEDETUR) and Mark Carney, OBE and President of GigNet Mexico, is to promote tourism-related technological development in the Mexican Caribbean. The agreement establishes a framework for the deployment of advanced, secure broadband locations in the State of Quintana Roo to improve the tourist experience of visitors and promote tourism development in the region through world-class Internet services and information technologies. The signing ceremony was also attended by Ana Patricia Peralta de la Peña, President of Benito Juárez (Cancun Municipality) where the first GigNet-sponsored special public Wi-Fi Internet access areas will be located, as well as various leaders from the Mexico national tourism sector.
The first phase of this Agreement will establish public Wi-Fi zones in tourist destinations in the Mexican Caribbean starting with Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum. The commitment to the technological development by GigNet is expected to cover, in subsequent phases, not only all the municipalities of the Mexican Caribbean in their tourist areas but also in commercial and administrative centers in multiple cities, fostering a true digital transformation in the region. With this Collaboration Agreement, GigNet will provide visitors and residents the opportunity to access Wi-Fi to find and shop at local businesses and for enhanced public safety and security.
This Collaboration Agreement is also recognition that technology will be a primary driver for the next generation of travelers to the Mexican Caribbean. According to the Quintana Roo Tourism Promotion Council (CPTQ), 64% of tourists who visit the Mexican Caribbean are under 39 years of age and almost 50% of them are Millennials. These tourists travel with between 5 and 10 electronic devices that allow them to be connected to the Internet while traveling. Through their phones, tablets and personal computers, they search for routes, promotions and activities to do before and during their trip.
Mr. Carney stated, “With one of the best climates and natural environments in the world, incredible and innovative restaurants and shopping malls, a youth destination culture, and thousands of new smart home units for residents and digital nomads, we truly believe the quality of life of the Mexican Caribbean has all the elements to attract investment, businesses, and now - with access to GigNet high-speed Internet - tech entrepreneurs and established technology companies seeking to relocate to this attractive business environment.”
GigNet’s “Silicon Maya” vision is to make Quintana Roo the leading state in Mexico for digital transformation, technological innovation, and Smart Cities – and a model for all of Mexico and Latin America. High-speed broadband access has been proven around the world to increase economic growth and opportunities for all segments of society. GigNet's “Silicon Maya” initiative can provide tremendous social benefits like online learning, improved healthcare, remote work opportunities, a diversified economy, and increased access to public services. For more information, see GigNet - Silicon Maya
ABOUT GIGNET
GigNet is the Mexican Caribbean brand of GigNet, Inc., a U.S. based international Digital Transformation company specializing in Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) services for Smart Homes and Smart Communities, and Fiber-to-the-Premises (FTTP) value-added services for enterprise customers including hotels, resorts, retailers, offices, large commercial operations, governmental offices, and medical and educational facilities, as well as fiber-optic transport services for mobile phone operators and carriers. Through its Mexico operating subsidiaries, GigNet, S.A. de C.V., and Sanalto Redes Peninsular, S.A.P.I. de C.V., the Company is a fully licensed telecommunications provider in Mexico. GigNet is actively adding clients and additional products and services in the Mexican Caribbean, one of the largest and fastest growing tourism and new residential development destinations in the world with over 30 million annual airport passengers achieved in 2022. GigNet is a leader in the Digital Transformation of the region.
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