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Hospitality Management
Context Travel | September 22, 2023
Context Travel, a leader in travel experiences, is set to revolutionize how globetrotters connect with culturally diverse destinations across the globe. The company is excited to introduce its innovative line of Audio Guides, designed to offer an enriched and interactive travel encounter.
Several distinguishing characteristics of Context Travel's Audio Guides set them apart in travel. Firstly, these guides are GPS-enabled, ensuring that audio tours automatically play based on the traveler's location, even offline. This functionality allows travelers to fully engage with their surroundings while immersing themselves in the local culture.
Secondly, the self-paced nature of these guides empowers travelers to explore destinations at their convenience without feeling rushed. The engaging commentary adds insight and context to their journey, enhancing their overall experience.
Lastly, their foundation in expertise sets Context Travel's Audio Guides apart. Drawing from the vast network of seasoned guides, these audio companions offer an insider's perspective and captivating narratives, providing travelers with a unique and insightful way to connect with their chosen destination. Context Travel is ushering in a new era of immersive travel exploration with these features.
Context Travel is offering a promotion for early adopters to commemorate the launch of Audio Guides. Travelers can receive 50% off their first audio guide purchase with the promo code CONTEXT50.
Context Travel's dedication to delivering exceptional and educational travel experiences is exemplified through its storied legacy of expert-led tours. These journeys have allowed travelers to gain profound insights into the realms of history, art, archaeology, gastronomy, and culture, all under the guidance of distinguished scholars in their respective fields. With the launch of its innovative Audio Guides, Context Travel takes a significant stride forward in expanding its mission. By making these enriching experiences more accessible to a broader audience, the company solidifies its position as a trailblazer in immersive and insightful travel. This evolution underscores their unwavering commitment to fostering a deeper understanding of the world's cultural treasures for future generations.
About Context Travel
Context Travel is an expert-led digital and travel experiences platform dedicated to enriching global understanding of cultural heritage. The company pairs explorers with enthusiastic experts who offer insights that surpass the conventional. Holding B Corporation certification since 2011, it underscores its commitment to extraordinary and sustainable tourism. Travelers have various options, including private or small group walking tours, pre-trip lectures, or engaging audio guides, all aimed at advancing Context Travel's mission to ignite a passion for cultural exploration.
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Travel Technology
PR Newswire | September 29, 2023
AmTrav, the one connected platform for business travel, today announced that it will be participating in the Innovation Faceoff at Business Travel News (BTN) Innovate on Monday, Oct. 2. The Innovation Faceoff is a competition featuring 13 cutting-edge business travel products, technologies and services developed by suppliers to address industry challenges and support managed business travel and travelers. AmTrav will be pitching Gather, the online booking and travel management tool that extends the benefits of corporate travel management to meeting and event attendees, job candidates, consultants, temporary workers and relocating employees.
"Corporate travel management is all about making things easier for the company and the traveler, but all that goes out the window as soon as it involves corporate guests and meetings attendees," said Elliott McNamee, Product Marketing Director for AmTrav who will be pitching Gather in the competition. "I'm looking forward to sharing how Gather makes corporate travel simple and seamless, even when guests or meetings are involved."
Typically, arranging travel for non-employees and meeting travelers requires close coordination and multiple interactions between travelers, planners and travel agents. The Gather tool allows coordinators and meeting planners to set policies and parameters for guest and meeting trips then invite travelers to book in two minutes or less. From there, travelers can pick their own itineraries, apply their personal loyalty numbers, and take advantage of the lowest NDC and company rates. What's more, guests get guaranteed 24x7 service from AmTrav Travel Advisors if their plans are disrupted - or can use AmTrav's latest Change Trips functionality to easily change their whole trip at once online.
"Even in 2023 companies are stuck using antiquated, agent-dependent processes because their travel software doesn't let guest travelers and meeting attendees book their own travel," said McNamee. "Gather saves travelers, coordinators and planners a lot of time, headache and money."
During the Business Travel Innovation Faceoff, each of the 13 teams will be given seven minutes to pitch their product, technology or service. Presenters will then field questions from a panel of expert judges for four minutes and from the audience for two minutes. At the end of the competition, two trophies will be awarded; one for the winner as selected by the judges, the other being a People's Choice Award Winner.
About AmTrav
AmTrav is an award-winning, modern technology and service platform designed to make business travel personal and productive. Companies of all sizes use AmTrav to book trips, find savings, set travel policies, manage payments and expenses, and keep their travelers safe. Travelers and companies love AmTrav's powerful platform that provides a seamless travel management experience supported by our experts who are always ready to help 24x7. More than 1000 businesses trust AmTrav to go places, meet people, and go further.
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Travel Technology
point.me | September 07, 2023
point.me, a real-time flight search and booking engine using loyalty program reward points on 150+ airlines, has announced a Series A fundraise completion of $10 million. This investment is led by Thayer Ventures and backed by notable investors, including PAR Capital Ventures and Plug and Play Ventures, and will fuel point.me's expansion.
The company plans to enhance its partnerships with leading the US card issuers, grow its premium concierge service, and scale its consumer subscription business. point.me’s platform currently operates in collaboration with major credit card providers like American Express, Chase, and Capital One, offering seamless searches and bookings. This funding will enable deeper integrations with current partners and the establishment of new collaborations, ultimately delivering enhanced accessibility for users.
point.me has amassed over 1.5 million registered users in the initial year, reflecting its remarkable growth. The company's annual recurring revenue has surged by an impressive 1860%. With this latest Series A funding, the company will be strengthening its integration with loyalty rewards programs across all its product offerings. This strategic move will further elevate the user experience and accessibility, cementing point.me's position as a leader in real-time flight booking using loyalty rewards points.
This Series A funding marks milestone in point.me's rapid ascent within the travel industry. In addition, the company had previously secured $2 million in seed funding, led by PAR Capital Ventures, with participation from WndrCo Holdings, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Sujay Jaswa, and a group of executives from Meta and DoorDash.
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Hospitality Trends
PR Newswire | October 17, 2023
The legendary Hotel del Coronado, part of Curio Collection by Hilton, has announced plans to restore and revitalize the hotel's historic Victorian building with a more than $160 million investment, marking the next and final phase of Blackstone Real Estate's more than $550 million development plan to preserve and enhance the National Historic Landmark property for the enjoyment of guests, visitors and the community alike. The upgrades will encompass all Victorian guestrooms, suites and event spaces such as the iconic Crown Room, with a targeted completion date of Spring 2025.
"We are thrilled to embark on this exciting and final journey of Blackstone's investment in this one-of-a-kind resort," said Harold Rapoza, managing director, Hotel del Coronado. "The Victorian building holds a special place in the hearts of our guests, and we are dedicated to preserving its historical significance while elevating the bespoke guest experience to new heights."
Rob Harper, head of real estate asset management Americas at Blackstone added, "Since our more than $550 million investment plan began in 2018, we have worked diligently to preserve The Del as a National Historic Landmark while cementing the property's status as an iconic and timeless destination for generations to come. We are immensely proud of the thoughtful work completed to date and look forward to partnering with the local teams to make this next phase of the project a reality."
For more than 135 years, Hotel del Coronado has welcomed travelers from all over the world to experience the best of Southern California coastal lifestyle. The Victorian building is the original, iconic beachfront hotel established in 1888, and is renowned for evoking a bygone era, with a star-studded legacy and magic of nearly two centuries.
Led by Wimberly Interiors in partnership with WATG's California architecture studio, the design for the Victorian building celebrates the legacy of the property, ensuring the public areas remain truly Victorian with original finishes remaining intact, but with contemporary design enhancements to bathrooms, furnishing, artwork and state-of-the-art technologies to elevate the level of comfort and luxury. David Marshall of Heritage Architecture & Planning is leading The Victorian guestroom redesign effort with the same vigor and attention to detail that awarded the firm a "Preservation Project of The Year" honor from the Save Our Heritage Organisation, as well as a "Preservation Design Award" from the California Preservation Foundation following their extensive and diligent reconstruction of the hotel's front porch and lobby areas.
Beginning in 2018, Hotel del Coronado embarked on a renovation and development plan, facilitated by Blackstone Real Estate, to ensure the resort remains a sought-after destination.
Ocean Concierge Club — A modern and refined take on the classic concierge club experience, housed in the renovated historic Windsor Cottage, which has been preserved with historic elements dating back to its original conception in 1905. Debuted this summer.
Beach Village at The Del — An enclave of cottages and villas, which is set to unveil a full makeover by the end of 2023.
Shore House at The Del — The newest neighborhood inclusive of 75 new residential-style accommodations on the south end of the resort, which debuted in 2022.
Fitness Center — Expanded fitness center with a variety of equipment, certified trainers and a range of classes including Beach Spin, Yoga, Pilates, Paddleboard Yoga and more.
Ice House Museum — Showcasing The Del's history with behind-the-scenes moments and legendary guests.
Shops at The Del — A completely new comprehensive retail experience with specialty shops and apparel.
Victorian Building Entrance — A completely reimagined front drive—reorienting the guest arrival experience to restore it to mirror The Del's original arrival experience at its grand Victorian Lobby.
Vista Terrace — One of the hotel's most popular outdoor event venues that can host up to 900 guests, which re-launched in 2019.
Serẽa Coastal Cuisine — The sustainable sea-to-table restaurant concept debuted in 2019, with James Beard Foundation's Smart Catch Leader Executive Chef JoJo at the helm.
The Cabanas & The Views – Renovations of guestrooms in the Cabanas and Views neighborhoods, which added 97 and 217 rooms respectively
Cabana Pool — New main pool, heated year-round, accompanied by shaded chaise lounges, umbrellas, Premium Cabanas and Cabanettes.
Culinary Upgrades — Upgrades and re-concepting of multiple dining outlets including the Sun Deck, Babcock & Story Bar, and ENO Market & Pizzeria.
Spa & Salon at The Del — Completely reimagined spa with ocean-inspired treatments that tap into the healing power of the sea.
During the reimagination of The Victorian, accommodations continue to be available in The Del's other four neighborhoods: The Views, The Cabanas, Beach Village and Shore House. Exciting guest experiences will debut and The Del's popular signature programming will continue.
About Hotel del Coronado
Set on one of America's most iconic beaches, the legendary Hotel del Coronado and Beach Village at The Del have welcomed discerning travelers for more than 135 years to experience the Southern California coastal lifestyle at its best. Here, the magic and nostalgia of the property's storied past blends seamlessly with contemporary luxury in overnight and day experiences that offer every amenity imaginable. Hotel del Coronado offers five distinct neighborhood experiences, including Shore House at The Del, the hotel's new residential-style villas, which complement the luxurious Beach Village; The Cabanas, where refined coastal design complements the newly refreshed pool, serving as the social center of the hotel; The Views, the hotel's home-base for coastal adventure experiences and activities; and The Victorian building, which will re-emerge in Spring 2025. For more information please visit hoteldel.com.
About Curio Collection by Hilton
Curio Collection by Hilton is a global portfolio of more than 140 individually remarkable hotels hand-picked to immerse guests in one-of-a kind moments in the world's most sought-after destinations. Each hotel in the Curio Collection evokes a bespoke story through distinctive architecture and design, world-class food & beverage and curated experiences, while providing the benefits of Hilton and its award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors. Experience Curio Collection by Hilton by booking at curiocollection.com or through the industry-leading Hilton Honors app. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits. Learn more about Curio Collection by Hilton at stories.hilton.com/curio, and follow the brand on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
About Blackstone Real Estate
Blackstone is a global leader in real estate investing. Blackstone's real estate business was founded in 1991 and has US $333 billion of investor capital under management. Blackstone is the largest owner of commercial real estate globally, owning and operating assets across every major geography and sector, including logistics, residential, office, hospitality and retail. Our opportunistic funds seek to acquire undermanaged, well-located assets across the world. Blackstone's Core+ business invests in substantially stabilized real estate assets globally, through both institutional strategies and strategies tailored for income-focused individual investors including Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust, Inc. (BREIT), a U.S. non-listed REIT, and Blackstone's European yield-oriented strategy. Blackstone Real Estate also operates one of the leading global real estate debt businesses, providing comprehensive financing solutions across the capital structure and risk spectrum, including management of Blackstone Mortgage Trust (NYSE: BXMT).
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