Travel Advisors Highlight Companies Handling COVID-19 Pandemic the Best

Travel Advisors | June 04, 2020

As travel restrictions are lifted and more destinations are reopening to the public, travel advisors continue to work diligently for their clients. While some brands have dropped the ball, many companies within the industry have gone above and beyond for travel advisors when it mattered the most. The agents who have worked tirelessly since the coronavirus outbreak began are now sharing their positive stories. One of the groups making a huge splash is the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), which has gone to bat for agents. Cruise Holidays owner Shari Marsh spoke about the help the agency has provided.

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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BUSINESS TRAVEL

PCH Hotels & Resorts Opens Third-party Hotel Management Services

PCH Hotels & Resorts | March 16, 2023

PCH Hotels & Resorts, a hospitality solutions provider, has recently announced that it has expanded its services to open third-party hotel management services for the additional ownership groups. PCH Hotels & Resorts has been working for different properties with a combined operational experience of about 200 years. It has achieved many awards and accolades like Marriott’s recognition, IHG and travel-based publications. It offers services for hotel operations, revenue management, food & beverage management, spa, capital budget management, accounting, human resources and IT solutions. Its operational team suggests a strategic and data-driven approach for positive topline development, budgeting, market share growth, community stewardship and guest experiences. It focuses on experiential lifestyle hotels and resorts while operating many F&B outlets and European spas. It outranks both branded and independent boutique hotels in the Southern U.S. Its additional acquisition and development abilities include due diligence assistance, brand selection and evaluation, capital expenditure assessment and CAPEX plan development, repositioning and rebranding analysis, hotel design and site plan analysis, IT Infrastructure, market and revenue projections, franchise agreement review and assistance, business plan development, and pre-opening services. Chairman and CEO of PCH Hotels & Resorts, James Buckalew said, “Historically, we have provided third-party hotel operations services for a select group of hoteliers, but as the market continues to rebound post-pandemic, we believe now is the time to begin offering our services to a larger pool.” He added, “Having operated hotels since 1999, PCH understands what it takes to manage a successful hotel that provides outstanding guest services and a profitable bottom line with 2022 a record year.” (Source – Business Wire) About PCH Hotels & Resorts Headquartered in Mobile, Alabama, PCH Hotels & Resorts, a hospitality company, specializes in refined comfort, Southern hospitality, Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, and exceptional guest experiences. It is a franchised management company with Marriott. It has acquired different hospitality companies like the Grand Hotel Resort and Spa. It has been among the top hospitality employer in Alabama since 2000. It manages various properties like Renaissance Marriott resort properties, Marriott resort properties, Autograph Collection resort, and the Outlet Shop. Each property is near the extensive Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. The Retirement Systems of Alabama owns its broad portfolio.

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BUSINESS TRAVEL

WTTC unveils world-first global Travel & Tourism's water footprint

prnewswire | March 24, 2023

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the Saudi-based Sustainable Tourism Global Center have unveiled groundbreaking new data detailing the total water usage of the global Travel & Tourism sector. In one of the largest research projects of its kind, WTTC can for the first time ever, accurately report and track the impact the sector has on the environment. The findings were launched today at the United Nations in New York at the UN 2023 Water Conference. Direct Water Use Speaking at the UN Headquarters, Chris Imbsen, Director of Sustainability at WTTC, revealed that Travel & Tourism's entire water footprint is just 0.6% of the global water use according to the latest figures (2021). In 2019, when the sector was at its peak, the sector's total water footprint was only 50% higher, but still less than 1% of the global total at 0.9%. Travel & Tourism's direct water use is significantly lower – in 2019 it was 0.2% of the global total and has fallen by half to just 0.1% of the global total. Much of the sector's water use is indirect, through its supply chain, with agriculture and food production accounting for two-thirds of Travel & Tourism's entire water footprint. Between 2010 and 2019, the Travel & Tourism sector in Europe and Africa reduced direct water use. In Europe, direct water use fell by 8% and in Africa, direct water use by the sector fell by 6%. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: "This ground-breaking new data reveals our sector's water consumption for the first time ever, revealing that Travel & Tourism uses less than 1% of the water used around the world, with the overwhelming majority of that usage coming from the sector's supply chain. "The data also shows that whilst the sector has grown economically around the world, its direct-use water intensity has decreased. "The data is the most in depth study of the sector's water use, and like the world-first climate footprint data we released at our Global Summit in Riyadh last year, we can also reveal individual countries' Travel & Tourism sector's water footprints. This will enable governments to work with the sector to further reduce water usage." Water Intensity The water intensity of Travel & Tourism per unit of GDP has also fallen since 2010, across both direct and indirect use. In 2010, the sector used 0.57m³ of water for every $1 contributed to the global economy. In 2019 this fell by 19% to reach 0.46m³ of water for every $1 contributed to the global economy. In a world-first, this comprehensive research covers 185 countries across all regions and will be updated each year with revised figures. This research was made possible thanks to the partnership between WTTC and the Saudi-based Sustainable Tourism Global Center. Under the Saudi green Initiative, more than 60 initiatives have been launched in the past year, representing more than $186 billion of investment in the green economy. About the World Travel & Tourism Council The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) represents the global travel & tourism private sector. Members include 200 CEOs, Chairs and Presidents of the world's leading travel & tourism companies from all geographies covering all industries. For more than 30 years, WTTC has been committed to raising the awareness of governments and the public of the economic and social significance of the travel & tourism sector.

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DESTINATION AND TOURISM, INDUSTRY OUTLOOK

Collette Travel and Travelex Partner to Offer Travel Insurance

Travelex Insurance Services | January 17, 2023

Travelex Insurance Services, one of the leading U.S. travel insurance companies, and Collette Travel Service, Inc., an award-winning premium tour operator, have announced a partnership that will allow Collette to offer Travelex travel insurance products and services starting January 3, 2023. Jaclyn Leibl-Cote, President and Chief Brand Officer at Collette, expressed, "We're excited for this opportunity to provide our travelers with some of the industry's best insurance plans and services." She further stated, "Travelex's quality insurance products, superb customer service record and claims payment history convinced us to partner with them. We think our clients will be very happy with Travelex's offerings." (Source- PR Newswire) Travelex President and CEO Shannon Lofdahl shared that her company has collaborated with Collette for months to develop and roll out comprehensive travel protection policies for its clients. She remarked, "Our teams worked together to complete implementation and agent training for the launch. "We're ready to serve Collette's travelers as they explore the world,” Shannon Lofdahl concluded. (Source- PR Newswire) About Travelex For over 25 years,Travelex Insurance Services has been the go-to for reliable and affordable travel protection in the United States. It is a well-known collaborator in the tourism sector, offering services that enable vacationers to make and safeguard memories. Customer service, technology, and innovation are just some of the categories in which Travelex has been recognized as a market leader. About Collette Collette, the oldest tour operator in North America, is trusted by visitors. It is distinguished by its customizable tour pacing, ties to the travel industry, and full travel protection coverage. The organization has focused on customer satisfaction since 1918 and offers 160 journeys to all seven continents via five types of travel, including small group tours and river cruises. The company's headquarters are located in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, with divisions in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.

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