44 TRADE NEWS


March 2022 Travel News ETC Aim to ‘Revive’ Travel Industry in 2022


Celestyal Cruises Launches New Seaware Reservations Platform


The Annual Meeting took place in Engelberg Switzerland


T


HE Anuual Meeting of the European Travel Commission (ETC) took place Switzerland.


in Engelberg,


This meeting brought together the Board of Directors of national tourism authorities and their marketing and research teams from across Europe. Over 70 participants from throughout the continent convened at the meeting hosted by Switzerland Tourism. Participants reviewed the latest data illustrating the impact of the Omicron variant on the winter travel season and put their heads together to tackle the challenges that lie ahead for the sector as it struggles to recover from the pandemic. It was noted during the meeting that one of the key challenges is the mass exodus of skilled workers from the hospitality sector over the past two years. As such, a priority for Europe’s tourism authorities in 2022 will be attracting talent back to the hospitality sector, ensuring it is an attractive employment option. Commenting on the meeting, Luís Araújo, ETC’s President, stated “As we learn to live with Covid-19 and manage the health risks, it is imperative that European governments do everything in their power to revive travel. Alignment on travel rules across Europe is critical to boost consumer confidence and restart mobility.


Advantage Travel Partnership Launches New Toolkit for Members


THE Advantage Travel Partnership, recognising the increased consumer awareness the organisation has received during the pandemic, has created a brand toolkit for members to help them utilise the Advantage branding to elevate their own individual brands. As the UK entered its first lockdown in 2020, Advantage developed a COVID19 Recovery Strategy to tackle the impact of the pandemic on the travel industry and Advantage’s members, helping to craft positive campaigns, mitigate negative sentiment, support the reputation of travel agents, and as the industry recovered, highlight the benefits of using a travel agent and instil confidence to consumers. The highly successful strategy resulted in extensive media coverage with Advantage’s key spokespeople featured on national television and national mainstream news outlets and were able to react quickly to the ever-changing news agenda, ensuring that output was appropriate, relevant and in tune with consumer sentiment. The new toolkit gives members easy access to the various versions of the Advantage logos, including the ‘Part of Advantage Travel Partnership ‘or ‘Part of Advantage Global Business Travel’ logos, to use alongside their own logo, for marketing purposes and customer and client communications. The logo could for example be used on point-of-sale materials, newsletters, websites, emails, letterheads, and other collateral. David Forder, head of marketing at Advantage commented, “By joining The Advantage Travel Partnership our members instantly become part of something bigger, and that


brings opportunities for their individual


businesses. The coverage Advantage has received during the pandemic has given a significant boost to consumer awareness of The Advantage Travel partnership, and our purpose as the voice of independent human travel agents and an authoritative voice of the travel industry.” “By ensuring that our members have all the right branding tools it is a reminder that they have some ownership over the Advantage brand and members should utilise the logo to present their business as being part of something bigger. Being part of Advantage helps provide reassurance to customers and clients about important things such as financial security, brand credibility, wide choice of travel providers, products and services, as well as value for money.”


“The toolkit we’ve created is intended to give members guidance and ideas on how to use the Advantage branding to their benefit.”


https://view.publitas.com/advantage-travel- partnership/advantage-branding-member-toolkit/ page/1


Clear communication and decisive action informed by data is also essential if pre-pandemic levels of European travel are to be achieved”. Strategic agenda for Destination Europe towards


2030


Also top of the agenda was the sustainable and digital transition of tourism in Europe. This year’s meeting launched intensive work and laid the foundation to develop ETC Strategy 2030. The upcoming strategy will define how the organisation and its members can contribute to the green and digital transition of European tourism in the coming years and better support the sector’s recovery following the impacts of the pandemic. This discussion was timely in light of the EU Transition Pathway for Tourism which was published at the end of last week. Understanding the crucial role of national tourism authorities in supporting the sector’s transformation and involving all relevant local stakeholders, ETC members agreed that the organisation should align its strategic priorities and actively contribute to the implementation of the Transition Pathway for Tourism. Participants also acknowledged the emergency of climate change, and the need to align ETC’s actions


over the next decade with the European Green Deal. There was an agreement that as Europe recovers from the pandemic there is an opportunity to build back stronger, ensuring that the region is driving green and sustainable tourism practices globally.


A clear consensus was also reached on the importance


of timely research and new sustainable KPIs to measure the sector’s transition. During the meeting, the national tourism authorities in attendance got a sneak peek at ETC’s latest studies and upcoming reports, including its quarterly report ‘European Tourism Trends & Prospects’ due to be published next week. This report analyses trends and prospects for Q4/2021 and highlights how cross-border travel recovery stalled during winter months following the re- imposition of travel restrictions and lockdown measures across Europe. The report also predicts trends for the resumption of intra-European and long-haul travel. The next meeting of Europe’s national tourism organisations is set to take place between the 18-20 May in Ljubljana, Slovenia. This will be hosted by the Slovenian Tourist Board, where the event will focus on sustainable tourism practices and gender equality in tourism.


THE Seaware Platform provides advanced CRM functionality as well as access to a greater variety of pre- and post- packages with both mandatory and optional components, rule-based pricing, payment and cancellations schedules, shore excursions and onboard experiences, as well as the ability to create customised segments, individual itineraries and large, family bookings. In addition, the system is fully GDPR security compliant, thereby providing ongoing confidence that clients’ personal data will be fully protected. Many advisors globally will already be familiar with this industry-leading platform, providing immediate 24/7 access to reservations with the added benefits of also being able to provide clients with direct access to their bookings.


“The release of our Seaware Reservations Platform


is just one more example of our deep and ongoing commitment to our travel advisor partners,” said Leslie Peden, chief commercial officer, Celestyal Cruises. “We have been working closely with Versonix for a year now in preparation for this release and have been engaging in on-going conversations with many of our travel advisor partners to have a seamless transition to our new reservations platform. We are expecting a significant adoption of this new system by our travel advisor partners, placing them firmly in control of their bookings 24/7, making it even easier to do business with Celestyal.” “We are extremely pleased to be adding Celestyal Cruises to our growing portfolio of leading global travel brands that have benefited from Versonix’s unique Seaware reservation and revenue capabilities,” said Yuri Polissky, chief operating officer, Versonix. In advance of the system going live this week, travel


advisors currently enrolled with Celestyal received a link to Seaware’s user’s manual and tutorial videos along with their personal log-in details. For new users, please visit Celestyal.com/gb to register for credentials in the


Travel Agent Booking Area.


REGISTRATION NOW OPEN for NITN Events On Tour March Roadshow


NI Travel News and Top Travel Suppliers are coming to a location near you. Registration is open now so come along and get free training and agent incentives! In Association with Jet2holidays, NI Travel News


are once again bringing the suppliers to you for an evening of speed networking. Grab the chance to meet the suppliers face to face, build your industry relations and get the latest up to date information on their products and services. With tasty hospitality at each location, exciting entertainment from Jet2holdiays and amazing prizes to be won – register now by emailing emma@nitravelnews.


com


DATES & LOCATIONS – March Roadshow Crowne Plaza, Belfast – Tuesday 29th March Seagoe Hotel, Portadown – Wednesday 30th March Waterfoot Hotel, Derry/Londonderry – Thursday 31st March


See you all there!


#NITNONTOUR #2022MARCHROADSHOW Instagram – @nitnevents Trade Twitter – @nitraveltrade


Radius Connect Checks In With Hasting Hotels Group


NORTHERN Ireland’s largest independent telecoms specialist Radius Connect has checked in with Hastings Hotels Group to provide enhanced mobile telecommunications to staff across Hastings Hotels. Radius Connect, which recently established a new Belfast City centre base at Clarendon Dock as part of a suite of growth-focused investments, has secured a significant long-term contract to support Hasting’s Hotels extended senior team with an advanced business communications support package.


A client of Radius Connect for more than a decade, the team at the Hastings Hotels Group has just taken delivery of a fleet of handsets, bolt-on data sharing and cost-saving international roaming to keep everyone continuously connected as part of a ‘wrap-around’ customer care package. Radius Connect regional director for Ireland, Stephen McQuoid, stated “We are really delighted to be closely working in partnership the Hastings Hotels Group to bring high quality business connectivity and flexibility to all the team in a highly cost-effective way. The hospitality sector is highly mobile, fast-paced and demanding and we look forward to continuing our strong relationship for many years to come.” Radius Connect provides mobile, fixed line and cloud services based on solutions from providers including, Microsoft and Gamma plus operators Vodafone, O2, and EE.


Celebrating its 50-year anniversary this year, the Europa Hotel has been integral in the city and regions’ growing tourism sector, becoming a major part of Belfast’s renaissance as a major world tourist destination. Hastings Hotels Group Managing Director, Howard


Hastings welcomed the renewed partnership with Radius Connect, commenting that “We’re really pleased with the advice and support provided by all the Radius team to deliver the business communication services we need to stay on top of our game.” “Immediately responsive, friendly and warm, they listened carefully to our requirements before designing a bespoke solution that clearly illustrated the cost benefits, savings and improvements that we could incorporate to really make a difference. “Radius Connect cared about our business and we’re delighted to have found a partner that put our needs first.” As part of its exceptional customer service, Hastings Hotels Group enjoy the services of a dedicated account manager, monthly reviews and continuous support in addition to a large choice of handsets. Part of Sunday Times Top Track 100 company Radius Payment Solutions, which has more than 40,000 customers across the island of Ireland in telecoms, fuel cards and telematics, the new Radius Connect base at Clarendon Dock is instrumental in the integration of its business across the UK and Ireland and its growth focus in Northern Ireland to broaden the range of services available under one roof and brand. The new Belfast hub will also act as a catalyst for further expansion across the island, complementing existing offices in Derry City and Galway – Radius Payment Solutions owns DCI, the island’s largest fuel card business which this year celebrates its 25th anniversary. Celebrating a cohesive partnership, Radius is also booked into the Europa Hotel to celebrate a year of achievement with more than 120 staff this Christmas.


Stuba Appoints DCM Representation Services in Ireland


ACCOMADATION specialist, Stuba has appointed DCM Representation Services in Ireland to increase their travel presence in Ireland. Don Clarke, owner, and founder of DCM Representation Services will visit new and existing agents in Ireland to offer support and continue Stuba’s award-winning service delivery as well as develop new business opportunities. Head of Sales, Angela Muir, said


“We’re delighted to have Don on board representing


us. It was key to have a familiar face to agents representing Stuba and I couldn’t think of anyone better with his wealth of experience in working with the Irish travel trade. Ireland has always been an important market for us, so we can’t wait to get back on the road once again and engage with agents.” DCM founder and owner Don Clarke added: “I am delighted to be chosen as trade sales partner


to promote Stuba in Ireland and to build their product awareness and grow market share with the trade. I look forward to being out on the road promoting Stuba’s fantastic product range.”


Don Clarke can be contacted on don.clarke@stuba. com and 07485 226 029.


Air Astana Sees a 79% Increase in Passenger Numbers


THE Air Astana Group carried 6.617million passengers in 2021, an increase of 79% over 2020


Peter Foster, President and CEO of Air Astana stated, “These figures represent a strong recovery from the Covid 19-affected 2020. Total carriage of more than 6.6 million customers is the highest ever recorded in the history of the airline. A large part of this was driven by the strong performance of FlyArystan, which in only its second full year of operation carried almost as many customers as Air Astana, driven by low fares, mainly on routes within Kazakhstan, as a result of its ultra-competitive cost structure.


FlyArystan istherefore on track to fulfill its core


mission of increasing mobility by air across the country for Kazakhstan’s citizens”. Air Astana operated scheduled flights to Georgia, Montenegro, Sri Lanka and Thailand in 2021, as well as resuming services to Male, London, Delhi, Georgia and Tajikistan. During the year, FlyArystan inaugurated services to Georgia from three cities in Kazakhstan and launched 10 new domestic routes.


Air Astana added three Airbus A321LR and one


Airbus A320 aircraft to the fleet in 2021 and have also successfully completed IOSA’s eighth safety audit.


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