Technology


  • EMMA IN GERMANY: Meet the new face of German tourism
    by Staff Writer - The German National Tourist Board’s (GNTB) inaugural AI influencer project utilizes artificial intelligence to promote Germany as a travel destination on an international scale. With the launch of ‘Emma’ – an AI-generated influencer – the GNTB has created an interactive brand ambassador designed to virtually inspire potential travellers to visit the European country.

  • CATSA TESTS NEW, FASTER SCREENING LINE
    by Staff Writer - The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) is trialling a new customized screening line, designed so that airports with limited space can employ advanced technology and equipment while speeding passenger checks. Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB) is the first airport in Canada to trial the new line.

  • DIGITAL DIGEST: Turning travellers into storytellers
    by Staff Writer - Stunning vacation photos and engaging videos — User Generated Content (UGC) is marketing gold. It’s authentic, shareable, and helps creates a vibrant community of passionate advocates who inspire others to travel. Moreover, it’s exactly what today’s traveller craves. Here’s how it can help your business.

  • DIGITAL DIGEST: TikTok travel trends for 2025
    by Staff Writer - Despite its uncertain status in the US, TikTok continues to shape travel trends, providing travel sellers a golden opportunity to captivate new audiences and ignite interest. Through vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and immersive experiences, travel is perfectly positioned to shine on this fast-growing platform.

  • KIA ORA: Pack your computer and your jandals, New Zealand welcomes digital nomads
    by Staff Writer - New Zealand has relaxed visa requirements for remote workers in a bid to attract more ‘digital nomads’ skilled workers who given an internet connection can work from anywhere on the planet.

  • THE BENEFITS, AND RISKS, OF AI TRAVEL PLANNING
    by Staff Writer - With artificial intelligence (AI) increasingly playing a role in trip planning, it only follows that the technology is also increasingly subject to misuse and as a source of scams.

  • THE HIDDEN DANGERS – AND TOP MISTAKES – OF DIY ONLINE BOOKINGS
    by Staff Writer - One in three Canadians make errors when planning trips online, according to a new survey commissioned by Flight Centre Canada. Moreover, the research reveals that critical errors made are costing travellers thousands of dollars.

  • TRAVEL’S TIPPING POINT: Travelport examines state of modern retailing
    by Staff Writer - Simplicity, transparency, and trust are the three things travel consumers want from their travel retailers, according to new research from Travelport in its just-released 2025 State of Modern Retailing Report, which, combined with cross-industry insights, highlights key trends the global technology company says will transform the travel industry in 2025.

  • WHAT DOES CHAT GPT SAY ABOUT TRAVEL ADVISORS?
    by Staff Writer - It’s not news that artificial intelligence is all the rage and that the travel industry – including many travel agents – have begun embracing the new technology for a range of tasks, from business planning and promotion to curating ideal itineraries for clients. So, what, we wondered, does AI actually think of travel advisors?

  • BYE-BYE BOARDING PASSES?
    by Staff Writer - The chief executive of start-up Riyadh Air, which will take flight this summer, says that boarding passes – both paper and digital – will likely disappear withing five years, to be replaced by biometric scans for passengers.

  • AI – WHERE IT’S GOING IN 2025
    by Staff Writer - If 2023 was a year of wonder about artificial intelligence, 2024 was the year to try to get that wonder to do something useful without breaking the bank. So, what’s in store for AI in the year to come?

  • DIGITAL MARKETING TRENDS THAT WILL SHAPE TRAVEL IN 2025
    by Staff Writer - In a packed session on digital marketing trends at the recent World Travel Market in London, Dan Christian, host of a popular Travel Trends podcast, revealed the trends – from AI and videos to search engine optimization and advertising on TikTok – that are at the forefront of travel marketing today.

  • LOOKOUT: Thousands of Microsoft 365 users report outage issues
    by Staff Writer - If you were having problems with opening Outlook or other Microsoft applications yesterday – you weren’t alone. Thousands of Microsoft 365 customers worldwide took to social media to report trouble seeing their emails, loading calendars or opening other Microsoft 365 applications such as Powerpoint and Teams.

  • ‘WORLD FIRST’: Company rewrites the book on hotel bookings
    by Staff Writer - HotelPlanner has announced what it says is “a world first that will change how customers find and book their hotels.” HotelPlanner.ai is the first end-to-end AI hotel booking assistant with access to book over one million-plus properties worldwide.

  • FROM THEORY TO REALITY: IATA proves digital travel future is near
    by Staff Writer - 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
    by Staff Writer - 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.

  • ROUND THE WORLD IN MERE MINUTES: New oneworld tool makes complex itineraries simple
    by Staff Writer - Advanced artificial intelligence (AI) has “revolutionized” the booking process for ‘Round the World’ tickets, according to the oneworld airline alliance, which counts American Airlines, British Airways, and Cathay Pacific amongst its dozen-plus global members.

  • THE TROUBLE WITH CHOICE: Travelport report says too much leaves travellers feeling overwhelmed
    by Staff Writer - “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
    by Staff Writer - 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
    by Staff Writer - 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.