Technology

FROM THEORY TO REALITY: IATA proves digital travel future is near

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and its partners report that they have successfully demonstrated that the industry is ready to deliver a fully digital air travel experience. This was achieved in a recent proof-of-concept (PoC) involving two passengers using different digital wallets and travel credentials on a round-trip between Hong Kong and Tokyo.

UN BACKS AI TO ‘FUTURE-PROOF’ TOURISM

The World Travel Market Ministers Summit, in collaboration with UN Tourism and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), returned last week to focus on the growing importance of Artificial Intelligence for the sector. Taking to the floor in London were Ministers representing more than 20 countries and providing the voice of the private sector, leaders from Expedia, HBX Group, JTB Corp and SITA, highlighted the importance of enterprise and public-private partnerships.

THE TROUBLE WITH CHOICE: Travelport report says too much leaves travellers feeling overwhelmed

“Choice is a tax on time and attention,” says NYC professor of marketing and author Scott Galloway, who adds, “Consumers don’t want more choice, but more confidence in the choices presented.” It’s a sentiment embodied in Travelport’s just-released 2024 State of Modern Retailing Report, which concludes that a majority of travellers feel overwhelmed by too many choices when it comes to trip planning. And that presents an opportunity for travel agencies, it adds.

WHAT’S NEXT AFTER FREAKY FRIDAY: Global glitch grounds flights, full recovery could take days

Travel and transport industries continued to get systems back online on the weekend after a widespread technology outage on Friday that threatened to cause travel delays for days, according to experts. Airlines were hardest hit by the global security outage, with thousands of flights cancelled on Friday, and many more passengers delayed or stranded into the weekend.

AIR CANADA ADVANCES NDC PROGRAM WITH SABRE

Sabre and Air Canada have announced the launch of Air Canada’s full content via new distribution capability (NDC) in Sabre’s travel marketplace. This launch allows travel agencies to consume Air Canada’s expanded NDC offers and services, enabling them to provide a more personalized travel experience to the customers they serve, the companies say.  

SMARTER, FASTER: Travelport unveils new AI-powered search tool

Travelport has launched what it calls “revolutionary” content curation through the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) that will provide travel agencies more control over multi-source content within the Travelport+ platform, thus “makings agents’ lives easier and business more efficient.”

DIGITAL DIGEST: How to go beyond Google with AI search sites (and is it worth it?)

It’s not just you. A lot of people think Google searches are getting worse. And the rise of generative AI chatbots is giving people new and different ways to look up information. While Google has been the one-stop shop for decades – after all, we commonly call searches “googling” – its longtime dominance has attracted a flood of sponsored or spammy links and junk content fueled by “search engine optimization” techniques. That pushes down genuinely useful results.

TÜRKİYE’S DIGITAL NOMAD VISA PLATFORM NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE

It is now easier than ever for Canadian digital nomads to work remotely from Türkiye. With the new Digital Nomad Pre-Application platform Digital Nomad GoTürkiye, digital nomads can now easily initiate their application process online. Gaining popularity following the COVID-19 pandemic, digital nomads capitalize on remote work by travelling the world and logging on wherever they have an internet connection.

WTTC URGES HARNESSING ‘SAFE’ AI

The transformative power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its role in shaping the future of Travel & Tourism are examined in new reports by the World Travel & Tourism Council, which cites its commitment to a digital future that prioritizes safety, ethical considerations, and responsible AI adoption.

EXPEDIA TAAPS INTO NEW FEATURES FOR TRAVEL AGENT DAY

Expedia Group is celebrating Global Travel Advisor Day today (May 1) by hosting a number of events across the world, including Canada, to show appreciation for its Expedia TAAP (Travel Agent Affiliate Program) partners. Overall, Expedia Group will be hosting 16 events across three continents.

TECHNOLOGY WITH A HUMAN TOUCH FUELS BEST AGENT EXPERIENCE

We’ve entered the era of travellers demanding even more from their trips. Now, they crave a more personalized vacation where each moment and detail feel tailor-made, allowing for an unforgettable travel experience. But the reality is that to bring this kind of trip to life, travellers may need to turn to travel agents for their unmatched expertise and a seamless booking experience.

DIGITAL DIGEST: AI vs. the tyranny of the search bar

Those who are open to innovations are best equipped to make the most of artificial intelligence for their businesses, delegates at the recent ITB Berlin travel trade show in Germany were told. For example, AI enables the search and reservation processes to at last “escape the tyranny of the search bar.”

DIGITAL DIGEST: Two-way communication the key to social media

The real power of social media lies in connecting a brand with its consumers on a human level instead of a sales and commercial level. Connecting with the audience starts with content production focused on generating two-way communication and then moderating to build an active community. Here are a few ideas to consider.

AMEX GBT TAKES AI TO NEXT LEVEL: Creates artificial intelligence task force

With the belief that use artificial intelligence can “unlock efficiencies, inspire product innovation, and elevate user experiences,” Amex GBT has launched a new AI initiative, including the creation of a special task force, to focus on the developing technology within the corporate travel management ecosystem.

DIGITAL DIGEST: An intro to podcasts

The podcast is quickly becoming one of the leading tools for persuasive marketing. It has a unique pull for the audience because it successfully differentiates itself from marketing and advertising messages.

DIGITAL DIGEST: Producing viral content – myth vs reality

Creating viral content is what every advertiser, marketer, and content producer dreams of, but it isn’t always straightforward. There are no set formulas or recipes for success, so it’s important to get the basics right.

HILTON EMBRACES MOBILE MESSAGING FOR GUESTS

Late check-out request. Extra pillows. Wine glasses. Replacement toothbrush. Just send a text. To support the growing need for frictionless travel and introduce easier ways for guests to engage with hotel teams, Hilton is expanding its mobile messaging platform to its more than 7,000 Hilton properties worldwide by the end of 2024.

BUSINESS DIGEST: Tips for building brand awareness

Building brand awareness is essential for long-term success in today’s competitive business landscape. Public relations is an essential tool in shaping how the public perceives a brand. Here are some tips to help you succeed in the brand awareness game.

DIGITAL DIGEST: A 2024 website update guide

The start of a new year is a perfect time to review brand and marketing collateral for potential updates and optimizations, and what better place to start than your website? Devices, technology, and user behaviour change regularly, so staying current is critical. Here are some ideas for staying up to date.

BUSINESS DIGEST: The pitfalls of slashing PR and marketing budgets

In times of economic uncertainty, it’s not uncommon for business owners to tighten their belts and cut costs wherever possible. Unfortunately, one area that often falls victim to budget reductions is public relations and marketing. Some view it as an “extra expense” rather than a strategic investment.

ACV UNVEILS NEW GROUP QUOTING TOOL

Following a soft launch last week, Air Canada Vacations has officially unveiled its new Group Quoting Tool, offering travel advisors the capability to easily create and manage their group quotes.

DIGITAL DIGEST: The digital case study 2024

As the new year begins, evaluating your performance for 2023 is essential to understanding how 2024 will shape up. Whether you are an agency, a brand, or an entrepreneur, crafting your digital media report will unearth functional insights and also help to align expectations for the coming year.

DIGITAL DIGEST: The power of AI and human perspectives

AI or Artificial Intelligence is a powerful tool for content production, including articles, images, and videos. However, it requires not only intelligent input from the user, but also a keen eye to understand the product. AI is only part of the solution because it’s the human element that makes it powerful and effective. Here’s a guide to understanding the balance.

DIGITAL DIGEST: PR tips for the holiday season

With the closing of 2023 just around the corner, one message is clear: Don’t let the holiday season be a signal to wind down PR efforts. Instead of succumbing to the temptation of festive relaxation, seize the opportunity to set the stage for a successful 2024. During the holidays, winding down pitching efforts is a mistake.

DIGITAL DIGEST: Maximizing online presence

In the dynamic world of travel and tourism, keeping the Press Room pages of websites up to date is crucial, not only for the convenience of the media but also for enhancing a website’s search engine optimization (SEO) performance.

DIGITAL DIGEST: Webinars – why and how?

Webinars have been around for a while and have become an essential communication tool for disseminating knowledge, promoting products, or connecting with a wider audience. What makes them great, due to their digital nature, is accessibility, cost-efficiency, and above all, interactivity.

ENDURING, CONSCIOUS, DIGITIZED: Keeping up with changing travellers

Leading hotel commerce platform SiteMinder, has released the 2023 edition of what it says is the world’s largest consumer research on accommodation. Among its notable findings are the continued dependence of travellers on both new and familiar technologies (and devices) – from artificial intelligence to social media and the Web – in the travel planning and booking process.

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