Travel Technology, Hospitality Trends
PR Newswire | July 05, 2023
Today, Collinson, a global leader in the provision of airport experiences, loyalty and customer engagement solutions, and owner and operator of Priority Pass, announces a new partnership with Blue Sky Group, a hospitality provider in Indonesia that manages premium executive lounges in airports across Indonesia, alongside hotels and restaurants.
This partnership will allow Priority Pass Members to access 13 airport lounges, eight of which are exclusive to Priority Pass Members, in Indonesian airports. This includes Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK), Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Sepinggan International Airport (BPN), and Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II International Airport (PLM).
Blue Sky Group's airport lounges offer comfortable spaces for travellers to relax pre-flight, as well as VIP rooms for informal meetings. Lounges at Balikpapan (BPN) and terminal 2 of Soekarno-Hatta (CGK) airports provide complimentary buggy services that transport guests from the lounge to immigration. In addition to curated lounge spaces, members will be able to enjoy Ippolito coffee – Blue Sky's in-house brand, roasted locally – as well as sample Indonesian cuisine, such as Pisang Goreng and varieties of Jajanan Pasar.
"This is an exciting time for the travel industry in Indonesia, as the country has set a goal of attracting nearly 7.4 million international arrivals in 2023; almost double the number of arrivals when compared to last year," said Todd Handcock, Global Chief Commercial Officer and Asia Pacific President at Collinson. "We are delighted to partner with Blue Sky Group, one of the top hospitality providers in Southeast Asia, to vastly enhance our Priority Pass Members' experience when visiting Indonesia, through inventory that both provides a taste of the local culture, and a memorable airport experience."
Linan Kurniahu, CEO of Blue Sky Group said, "We are thrilled to partner with Priority Pass to provide their members with access to our premium airport lounges in Indonesia. Our airport lounges combine the best of local culture and cuisine with the highest levels of international travel service. This partnership represents a significant milestone for us as we continue to expand our footprint across Asia Pacific's travel industry."
Indonesia has a rapidly growing economy and is fast becoming a major international business and leisure travel destination. Recognising the importance of this market to Priority Pass Members, together, both partners will make travel to and within the Indonesian archipelago more comfortable and relaxing than ever before.
About Collinson
Collinson is the global, privately-owned company dedicated to helping the world to travel with ease and confidence.
We work with the world's leading payment networks, over 1,400 banks, 90 airlines and 20 hotel groups worldwide. We deliver market-leading airport experiences, loyalty and customer engagement, and insurance solutions for over 400 million end consumers.
About Priority Pass
Priority Pass is the world's original and market-leading airport experiences programme. We provide travellers with access to 1,300 airport lounges and travel experiences in over 650 airports in 148 countries. Members can access an ever-growing range of premium experiences – from spas to sleeping pods to dining – that help elevate every journey into something special. By building partnerships with other leading brands, we help to bring a better travel experience to the world.
About Blue Sky Group
A nationwide company focusing on hospitality, property services and restaurant management, Blue Sky Group started in 1973 as one of the few hotels in Balikpapan, Indonesia. Since 2003, Blue Sky Lounges serve in major cities in Indonesia, such as Balikpapan, Jakarta, Pekanbaru, Pontianak, etc.
We are the sole privately owned brand with multiple outlets that have partnership with major banks and corporate & government entities in Indonesia. Our aim is to continue to be the destination for travellers before their journey, with the goal of going to international market in the future.
Read More
Business Travel
prnewswire | July 11, 2023
With the significant increase in European travel from North America, Exodus Travels the award-winning leader in adventure travel, has launched a new Active Europe Collection. This expanded offering, including hiking and cycling trips, features more than 19 new itineraries across nine European countries. These new adventures are designed to bring travelers closer to Europe's hidden gems while enjoying new and unique experiences in the great outdoors.
The new Active Europe Collection encompasses active itineraries that have been meticulously crafted to cater to adventure enthusiasts, with options for every skill level and interest. From the Tuscan countryside and the UK's Lake District to Norway's Fjords and the Mediterranean Coast, each trip promises to deliver unforgettable moments and authentic encounters with Europe's natural wonders.
"We understand the growing desire for active travel experiences that go beyond traditional sightseeing, and the Active Europe Collection was designed to fulfill these aspirations," says Katy Rockett, Director of Growth, North America for Exodus Travels. "With our team of expert local guides and carefully crafted itineraries, travelers can revel in transformative experiences that have a lasting impact."
The new European collection includes a variety of memorable adventures including:
Tuscan Hills & Chianti Wines – Premium Adventure: On this eight-day guided tour, guests will enjoy an elevated experience as they explore the idyllic Tuscan countryside, with a stay in an exclusive villa complete with a pool and private chef. From this base, which is located close to the medieval town of San Gimignano, the trip features five days of gentle walking and sightseeing, including visits to Florence and Siena, as well as timeless villages and the quaint walled town of Certaldo. Activities includes three wine-tasting experiences, as well as a visit to Brolio Castle gardens, the birthplace of Chianti wine.
Castles, Hadrian's Wall & the Lake District Travelers can discover the forts, fells, and film sets of northern England on this new six-day guided trip that offers a wonderful combination of history and hiking. Highlights include a visit to beautiful Alnwick Castle, which stood in as Hogwarts in the first two Harry Potter movies, the striking Bamburgh Castle on the Northumberland coast, the Holy Island of Lindisfarne to see the historic priory ruins, and much more. Travelers will also hike a section of Hadrian's Wall, hike Cat Bells for unforgettable views over the Lake District, and summit Helvellyn, a walk considered to be among the most beautiful in the UK.
Cycling the Mediterranean Coast in Spain Cycle between the vibrant cities of Barcelona and Valencia on this week-long guided adventure on two wheels. Travelling along the Mediterranean coast, with stays at a different seafront hotel each night, the itinerary features a fantastic mix of cycling lanes and quiet paved roads, with only four short transfers on the cycling days.
Cycling the Coastal Portuguese Camino: Following the Atlantic shoreline, the Portuguese Camino coastal route is perhaps the most scenic of the trails that comprise the iconic Camino de Santiago. On this eight-day culture-cycling adventure, guests start in Porto and head north, eventually crossing into Spain and to the final stop in Santiago de Compostela. Along the way, the tour visits a string of atmospheric coastal towns, and through the picturesque Galician countryside, while also collecting the stamps necessary to receive the Compostela certificate in Santiago, proof of completion of this historic pilgrimage.
Walking the Fjords: The Norwegian fjords are rightly ranked as one of the most stunning natural wonders of the world and on this nine-day guided hike, travelers will be immersed in the stunning landscapes that define this region, including snow-capped mountains, steep green hillsides, and powerful waterfalls plunging into calm, clear fjordic waters. By exploring by foot, travelers enjoy unique access to areas of stunning beauty and high panoramic viewpoints. In the fjords, guests stay in two locations – a cozy family-run guesthouse that looks towards the Feigumfossen waterfall, and another family-run hotel on the waterfront in the town of Fjærland.
Cycle the Loire Valley: On this gentle week-long cycling adventure, travelers ride sections of the Loire à Vélo, a scenic cycling route that tracks along the Loire River – from Blois to Saumur – past orchards, vineyards, and small villages. Highlights include visits to a magnificent chateau steeped in Renaissance history, stops at the world-renowned vineyards of Vouvray and Chinon, and much more.
In related news, Exodus Travels announced the "Join the Adventure" promotion with significant savings. This special promotion includes major savings on select trips in two ways:
Join the Adventure Together -- Book a trip with a travel partner departing in 2023 and the second person will receive 25% off the cost of their trip; or
Join the Adventure Solo -- Solo travelers can take advantage of 50% off the price of a single supplement. If no solo rooms are available or there's a preference to be paired with a roommate, Exodus Travels will pass along the equivalent savings.
As with all itineraries, Exodus Travels prioritizes sustainable and responsible travel practices, fostering a deep connection with local communities and minimizing the environmental impact.
About Exodus Travels
For nearly 50 years Exodus Travels has been the leader in active adventures and is known for "improving life through travel." Exodus Travels is the winner of the National Geographic Traveller Reader Awards and is a recipient of the Conde Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Award, Wanderlust Magazine's Best Tour Leader of the Year, USA Today's Readers' Choice Award and the British Travel Awards.
Exodus Travels provides unforgettable journeys and expert insights through more than 500 active adventures to Europe and 100 other countries. Award-winning trips across seven continents include active adventures to the majestic peaks of Kilimanjaro, the agent wonders of Machu Picchu, the breathtaking beauty of Italy's Amalfi Coast, and other memorable destinations.
With an unwavering commitment to sustainability, Exodus Travels is dedicated to creating incredible, responsibly run adventures, and understands the importance of regenerative travel. Efforts include a "re-wilding" initiative that ensures for every traveler, 100 square meters of land is dedicated to preservation projects. Exodus Travels is dedicated to creating memorable and responsible adventures so travelers can book and travel with confidence.
Read More
Hospitality Management
IHG Hotels & Resorts | September 06, 2023
IHG Hotels & Resorts launches IHG LIFT, a program supporting under-represented groups in the US and Canada's hospitality industry.
IHG commits over $30 million in partnership with HBCUs, Clark Atlanta University, and Morehouse College. Together, they aim to remove barriers and create opportunities for diverse owner-entrepreneurs.
The program is integral to the Journey to Tomorrow 2030 responsible business plan. It aligns with IHG's commitment to promoting inclusivity and equal hotel ownership access.
IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG), a global hospitality company, has introduced IHG LIFT, a program fostering diversity in hospitality. It provides support, capital access, and guidance throughout the hotel lifecycle for historically under-represented groups within the hospitality industry in the US and Canada.
IHG has partnered with Clark Atlanta University and Morehouse College, two prominent Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Over the next five years, the company has committed more than $30 million to support the IHG LIFT program.
This partnership represents a significant step toward eliminating barriers and creating opportunities for aspiring hotel owners, aligning seamlessly with IHG's commitment to diversity and equal access to resources and support.
IHG LIFT is an integral component of IHG's comprehensive Journey to Tomorrow 2030 responsible business plan. This broader strategy addresses critical issues and promotes inclusivity within the hospitality industry.
The program's primary objective is to unlock common barriers to hotel ownership among under-represented groups and empower diverse owner-entrepreneurs for success. By integrating IHG LIFT into this forward-thinking plan, IHG reaffirms its commitment to fostering a more unbiased landscape in the hospitality industry.
“As our industry grows, we need to keep our focus on enabling more success for our diverse ownership base. Barriers such as a lack of access to capital and the right networks put such owners at a disadvantage. The IHG LIFT program is specifically designed to help ease the path to ownership and ultimately support owners. Diversifying ownership is not only better for IHG, it also lifts up our entire industry.”
-Chief Development Officer, Americas at IHG Hotels & Resorts, Julienne Smith.
Read More