TRAVEL technology provider TPConnects has adopted IATA New Distribution Capability’s (NDC) XML-based data transmission standard into its Travel Aggregator platform, touted to give travel agents the capability to access features and options typically available only through airline websites.

Agents using TPConnects’ platform will be able to perform transactions via a rich interface, much like airline websites, and will for the first time be able to view and purchase the airline’s entire portfolio of products including ancillaries, customised offers, add-ons and promotional fares.

With volume business, airlines are now able to negotiate better rates from the non-air product suppliers, said TPConnects in a press release. Alternatively, the switch model enables the travel agents to plug their own credentials and contracted rates from suppliers.

Kristine Fernandez, director business development at TPConnects, said: “With the airline industry under extreme financial pressure (and) stiff competition (while) consumers grow increasingly tech-savvy and mobile, TPConnects booking and distribution tool with NDC standard assist airlines to adopt a merchandising strategy that not only takes the need of travellers into account, but also achieves the main goal of airline to increase its profits and shift from a service provider to a retailer.”

Middle Eastern airline Rotana Jet was the first carrier to adopt TPConnects’ product, announced Tony Tyler, director general of IATA during the IATA Middle East and Africa Aviation Day in Abu Dhabi on October 27, 2015.

VISITORS are still flocking to the Maldives a month after the assassination attempt on Maldivian president Abdulla Yameen on September 28, 2015, in which a bomb blast destroyed the presidential boat near Malé and injured Yameen’s wife and two aides.

Yameen, who narrowly escaped the attack, had last week arrested Maldivian vice president and tourism minister Ahmed Adheeb Abdul Ghafoor, who is accused as the main perpetrator.

Abdulla Ziyath, managing director of the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), the country’s main tourism promotion agency, has also been arrested. The MMPRC office was closed for nine days for police investigations and only reopened yesterday. At least three MMPRC-organised roadshows scheduled for China, France and America have been cancelled as a result.

Maldives, which depends heavily on tourism revenue, is going ahead with its usual promotional activities and is still expecting solid arrival numbers this year, said Hussain Lirar, deputy minister of tourism. “We are expecting a good (European) winter season and confident of reaching 1.4 million arrivals this year,” he said.

Susith Jayawickrama, managing director of Aitken Spence Hotels, whose Adaaran brand has the largest number of rooms in the Maldives, said while there was no fallout in the short term, it is important for promotions to continue to avoid any medium- to long-term impact.

Tourists are normally unaffected by any political turbulence in Malé, as the resorts are located far away from the highly-populated capital, explained Jayawickrema.

MALAYSIA-based Lagisatu has launched Salam Standard, an online hotel reference tool dedicated to Muslim travellers.

This new product caters to the specific accommodation requirements of Muslim travellers by providing information on Muslim-friendly amenities and services available at hotels and resorts around the world.

Faeez Fadhlillah, CEO and co-founder of Lagisatu Travel, said: “Salam Standard provides Muslim travellers with a one-of-a-kind reference tool, enabling them to choose Muslim-friendly accommodation that adheres to their Islamic principles.”

According to Faeez, more than 10,000 properties worldwide have already joined the Salam Standard initiative, including major international hotel chains such as Accor Hotels, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, Rotana Hotels & Resorts, Anantara Hotels & Resorts and Rixos Hotels.

Faeez added: “Salam Standard could evolve into the biggest information provider of Muslim travel content over the next few years. Our aim is to encourage hotel operators to offer more facilities for Muslim travellers.”

AIRASIA is set to operate daily flights from Kota Kinabalu to Wuhan from January 22, 2016.

The new flight is estimated to depart from Kota Kinabalu at 18.55 and land in Wuhan at 23.10, while the return flight will leave Wuhan at 23.55 and arrive at Kota Kinabalu at 04.05 the following day.

One-way tickets are priced at an introductory rate starting from RM88 (US$20) from now to November 1, 2015 for travel between January 22 and October 29, 2016. Prices are inclusive of taxes and fees.