B2B travel distributor GTA is tripling loyalty programme points for travel agent members booking with preferred hotel partners under its Strategic Partnership Program (SPP) and Hotel Partnership Program (HPP).
Rewards under the G-Shop loyalty programme cover a selection of electronics, dining and shopping vouchers. And with electronic gift cards making up 60 per cent of redemptions last year, GTA stated it intends to continue expanding on variety to meet growing demands.
“More suppliers are placing priority on rate parity where they seek consistent rates on all distribution channels. Therefore, it is crucial for online B2B wholesalers like GTA to have an effective loyalty programme in order to reward travel consultants for their proactive efforts,” commented Tatsuo Masumoto, GTA’s head of sales for Japan.
GTA has collaborated with over 550 partners worldwide to offer the three-times bonus deal on G-Shop points. To start earning bonus points, agents need only to register on G-Shop.
On October 2, Sokha Siem Resort & Convention Center and Sokha Palace Siem Reap Hotel will officially open to a host distinguished guests and media, both national and regional.
Dedicated to bringing a new international hospitality experience to the city, guests will be granted privileged access to the two properties, which collectively add an additional 1,242 rooms, suites and villas, additional nine F&B outlets offering an appetizing fusion of cuisines from across the globe, and marvel at the well-equipped Convention Center and its 2,190sqm Grand Ballroom, the largest in Siem Reap.
“We are very excited to extend our services in Siem Reap with the five-star Sokha Siem Resort & Convention Center and adjacent four-star Sokha Palace Siem Reap.” said Ms. Thanet Kun, Regional Director of Sales “Along with Sokha Angkor Resort which opened in 2006, we now have more than 1,500 rooms available daily to support the booming tourism to Angkor Wat”.
We’re confident that the extensive addition of rooms will provide both guests and the community with a vibrant hospitality experience locally and internationally that they’ll value.”
Regional General Manager Mr. Ingo Raeuber added: “Our Grand Opening offers the perfect opportunity to enjoy Sokha’s world-class hospitality in our latest world-class offerings. It is a privilege to be able to share the start of a new exciting chapter in Sokha Hotel & Resort’s journey.”
Located at the gateway to Angkor Wat, next to the Angkor Archaeological Park Ticket Center, the resort has easy access to Siem Reap’s other popular tourist attractions, including Siem Reap Night Market, vibrant Pub Street and the Angkor Tourist & Cultural Complex.
Additional facilities to complete the exquisite experience include a fitness center, luxurious spa, a kids’ pool, steam, sauna, Jacuzzi, hot and cold pool, and a Kids’ Club to keep children entertained.
For: Sales Enquiries, Please contact Ms Thanet Kun – Regional Director of Sales
Mobile: (+855) 96 616 1888
Telephone: (+855) 63961999
Email: rdossr@sokhahotels.com
Autumn is the season where the air gets crisp and the leaves start to turn into beautiful hues of copper. A time when one finds crunchy leaves underfoot, dazzling colours and cooler temperatures, offering perfect conditions for road-trippers looking to pull over and stretch their legs on an autumnal hike.
White Mountains, USA
Promising a visual treat, new England in the USA is renowned for its beautiful fall landscapes. one of new England’s most beautiful drives is along the scenic Kancamagus Highway. Take a pit-stop in the White Mountains, lace up your walking boots and take a hike through the hills to see autumn at its most vibrant, where the trees are full of vivid maple leaves.
Loire Valley, France
If you thought that the Loire Valley in France couldn’t get any more picturesque, think again! The season sees the rolling vineyards put on their annual autumnal display of colours as the vines transform from green to fiery red. After driving past charming chateaux, take a stroll along the tracks and trails that criss-cross the vineyards and watch the grapes being harvested.
Jeju Island, South Korea
Closer to home in Asia is Jeju island in South Korea, designated as one of the new 7 Wonders of Nature. With numerous attractions all over the island, self-drive is one of the best ways to tour this destination. Popular routes include the 1131 highway that connects the 2 major cities of the island – Jeju City and Seogwipo City; the 1132 highway, which circles the island and promises a spectacular coastal drive; and the 1139 highway with a stunning view of southern Jeju – all of which lead to the start of different hiking trails.
As the temperature cools and the days dim in this season, the air becomes magical, making it a lovely time for a road trip to see the amazing autumnal colours shine in their seasonal glory.
Visitors holding valid residence permits or visas from the mentioned countries may apply
The Qatari government is creating a new National Tourism Council in place of the current Qatar Tourism Authority, giving the tourism sector a lot more clout than ever before.
The council will report to a board of high-level representatives that will be chaired by no less than the Prime Minister himself, Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, who is also the country’s interior minister.
Qatar Tourism Authority will become the National Tourism Council
The board will guide the overall development of and monitor tourism’s performance, and ensure cross-sector collaboration. It will also oversee three new entities that will be charged with developing large-scale tourism products and experiences, promoting the destination internationally, and consolidating the efforts of existing stakeholders in the business events sub-sector.
The move was announced as part of the launch of the “next chapter” of Qatar’s National Tourism Sector Strategy 2030.
Said Hassan Al Ibrahim, chief tourism development officer at Qatar Tourism Authority: “The tourism sector is unique in its reliance on many ancillary sectors to succeed. Recognising the importance of close coordination, the Qatari government has endorsed a new governance structure that will empower the sector and help us work together to achieve greater results.”
He added that by putting new policies and structures in place, the new tourism blueprint aims to further develop important sector enablers, such as a supportive regulatory framework for tourism establishments, enhancing the ease of doing business in the sector, and additional visa facilitation measures.
Setting a target of 5.6 million visitors annually by 2023, double that seen in 2016, and a 73 per cent hotel occupancy rate, the strategy outlines Qatar’s destination positioning for the next five years, and guides the development of products, services, and experiences to support this.
The plan, for instance, identifies six geographic zones across the country, each tied to tourism themes based on the area’s geographic characteristics and natural assets. Local and international investors will be invited to develop tourism products and services in each geographic zone.
There are also plans to expand Qatar’s global network of tourism promotion offices; add programmes that facilitate interactions and shared experiences between Qatar’s residents and guests; as well as create tourism experience units in all relevant public and private sector entities.
The next five years is also expected to see intensified efforts to ensure that a visitor-friendly infrastructure, both physical and digital, is in place. In addition, training programmes will be developed and provided to all government and private sector employees in tourist-facing jobs.
Looking farther ahead, the strategy aims to have increased tourism’s direct contribution to Qatar’s GDP from QAR19.8 billion (US$5.3 billion) in 2016 to QAR41.3 billion, representing a direct contribution to the GDP of 3.8 per cent (compared to 3.5 per cent in 2016).
Jeju Air, one of the founding members of the Value Alliance, has made an investment in Air Black Box Asia Pacific, the technology solution that enables the LCC members to connect and cooperate on seat inventory and ancillary sales.
Air Black Box APAC welcomes new investor
This gives the South Korean airline a seat on Air Black Box Asia Pacific’s board, which will now comprise 10 members – including Scoot Tigerair, ANA Holdings, Nok Air, Cebu Air and VaultPAD Ventures – and an independent chairperson.
Value Alliance expects Jeju Air’s investment to solidify its position as the major LCC network in Asia-Pacific, as the grouping continues to offer interlining opportunities for its LCC members.
Sydney-based Livn, an aggregator of instantly bookable tours and activities in Asia-Pacific, has appointed Mark Rizzuto as CEO, while its founder Steve Martinez has moved into the position of chief commercial officer.
Rizzuto was most recently general manager of distribution and e-commerce at Virgin Australia. Prior to that, he was head of retail distribution strategy and technology partnerships at Helloworld, and managing director of Asia for Travelport.
Steve Martinez (left) and Mark Rizzuto
Rizzuto said: “Our objective over the next 12 months is to double our inventory to more than 40,000 instantly bookable tours and activities.”
The platform was founded in 2010 and claims to have 22,000 tours and activities last year, from 12,000 before.
Livn services only the B2B channel, piping its products to travel agents and online retailers via a single API. It also recently announced an integration with Amadeus Selling Platform Connect.
“Agents are able to instantly book an incredible selection of tours and activities around the globe from hundreds of leading suppliers like Intrepid Group, G Adventures, Gray Line, Pro-Dive, Quicksilver Group and Urban Adventures,” Rizzuto said.
“The booking of these products is fully integrated into existing travel agency workflows, allowing for ease of reservation, itinerary management and back office integration.
“This removes the need for travel agents to book and manage these reservations via phone, website or email, and creates the same centralised efficiencies as the GDS have traditionally provided in air, car and hotel,” he said.
Sabre Corporation is developing Sabre Content Services for Lodging, a technology solution that will integrate multiple sources of content including the Sabre global distribution system (GDS) and non-GDS sources such as aggregators, re-distributors, agency-sourced hotel content and other sources as identified.
Planned for a 2018 launch, the new solution will also support a multi-representation display option of the content.Buyers and consumers of GDS content will have access to more options and a more consistent shopping experience to include the way content is displayed at the room and rate level, according to Sabre.
The solution will also include the capabilities of Sabre APIs and will be incorporated across all Sabre points-of-sale: Sabre Red Workspace, GetThere and TripCase.
Passengers are given their free passes on the airport express; Big Buddha in Hong Kong pictured
Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has partnered Cathay Pacific Airways to offer visitors travelling to Hong Kong for three nights or more a free sightseeing tour.
Valued from HK$55 (US$7) to HK$95 per person, eligible visitors can choose tours ranging from a day-long, open-top bus ride, to a guided walk through the city’s entertainment, culture and dining district, Old Town Central.
Passengers are given their free passes on the airport express; Big Buddha in Hong Kong pictured
For visitors connecting through Hong Kong between six and 24 hours on Cathay, another set of experiences is offered.
They will be given a free pass on the airport express, or can buy one of three experiences, such as a round-trip to Lantau Island or Hong Kong Disneyland visit, at a special price.
All travel must be booked and purchased via Cathay at cathaypacific.com.
To opt into the extended-stay programme, travel must be booked by February 28, 2018 and completed by March 31, 2018. The transit option requires travel booked by May 31, 2018 and completed by June 30, 2018.
The Hertz Corporation has appointed Discover the World and InterGlobe Air Transport Limited (IGAT) as general sales agents (GSAs) for Vietnam and selected India markets respectively.
The GSAs will promote Hertz’s products and services around the globe to domestic travel trade partners, corporate customers and leisure travellers.
Sitting in the front row from left to right: Discover the World Vietnam’s Tu Thi My Phuc, Hertz’s Marcus Tan; and InterGlobe Air Transport’s Amit Mishra
Michel Taride, group president, Hertz International, said: “With the number of international trips from India and Vietnam forecasted to grow by almost 10 per cent over the next few years, we view these countries as important source markets for our worldwide rentals.”
In India, IGAT will distribute car rental products from the Hertz brands across the travel trade, small and medium enterprises, and large local companies in selected Indian cities. Meanwhile, Discover the World India will continue to operate as Hertz’ GSA servicing the travel trade and global corporations in Bengaluru, Delhi and Mumbai.
Discover the World also operates as Hertz’s GSA in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand.
In life, the best races aren’t about money or status, as AccorHotels’ vice president marketing and strategic relationships Asia-Pacific, Michael Parsons, knows only too well.
Parsons, along with seven other friends such as Accor’s Baptiste Leblan, Scott Gordon and Tony Chisholm, will compete in the Ironman 70.3 Phuket, Thailand this November 26, to raise awareness and much-needed funds for research on the Pallister-Killian Syndrome (PKS), which Parsons’ son, Jax Bay Parsons, suffers from.
Jax and Michael Parsons
PKS happens randomly and for no known reason. It is believed there are under 200 diagnosed cases of PKS in the world. However, with greater research and testing, more cases are being reported and awareness is now building. Discover more about PKS here: www.pks.org.au.
If you’re in Phuket on November 26, be sure to cheer our industry colleagues on. If you wish to support this cause, please click: https://www.mycause.com.au/page/159229/tri4jax (Support the Cause).