May 2023


BIG TRAVEL TRADE EVENT REGISTRATION OPENS


REGISTRATION has officially opened for Te Big Travel Trade Event 2023! Taking place in a new location for 2023, Te Big


Travel Trade Event is back on the 6th & 7th June in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Belfast. We have an exciting line up of events for to enjoy,


everyone to avoid disappointment


register now for the events you want to attend! Follow the link: https://nitravelnews.com/the-


big-event/ Over the 2 days over 80 suppliers will join us for


speed networking, agent breakfasts, agent lunches, open meetings, Trade Exhibition and evening functions. Tis event gives you the opportunity to connect


HOTELPLANNER has announced the integration of ChatGPT, a large language model developed by OpenAI, into its new loyalty programme, Hotel Buyers Club. Tis integration enables Hotel Buyers Club members to receive personalised recommendations and search & booking assistance from ChatGPT, making their hotel booking experience even more seamless and convenient. “Our goal has always been to stay ahead


of the technology curve so we can provide our customers with the best possible hotel booking experience,” said John Prince, Co- founder & CIO, HotelPlanner. “By integrating ChatGPT into our Hotel Buyers Club loyalty programme, we’re able to offer our paid members a new level of personalised and customised service that is nearly unmatched in the industry. Tis integration enhances our customers’ booking experience and sets a new standard of service for our industry.” Te Hotel Buyers Club loyalty programme,


HotelPlanner’s first such effort, is designed to provide paid members with exclusive discounts on more than 1.4 million hotels and alternative accommodations worldwide, as well as VIP- level customer service and support, and a bi- weekly newsletter with travel deals and tips, and other exclusive membership benefits. With the integration of ChatGPT, Hotel Buyers Club members now have access to broader search capabilities to find the perfect hotel for any traveller category.


with new companies and engage with those you work with. We have an impressive list of prizes up for grabs,


be sure to keep an eye on our socials to discover how to win! Te full list of suppliers and 2 day schedule are


available in the May Edition of the NI Travel News. Register here: https://nitravelnews.com/the-


big-event/ HotelPlanner Integrates ChatGPT into Digital Booking Platform


www.nitravelnews.com


TRAVEL TRADE NEWS | 63


Wizz Air to Receive Sustainable Fuel from 2025


United Airlines Appoint Martina Coogan as Head of Corporate Sales UK and Ireland


UNITED Airlines has appointed Martina Coogan as Head of Corporate Sales U.K. and Ireland, effective 1 April 2023. Coogan brings 25 years of industry experience to her new role. Reporting


to Director Sales U.K. and


Ireland, Karolien De Hertogh, Coogan will be responsible for managing United’s overall corporate business strategy across the United Kingdom and Ireland. Her appointment coincides with a time


of further expansion for United in the U.K. and Ireland. On 26 March 2023, the airline introduced a second daily flight between London Heathrow and Los Angeles, increasing the number of daily services between London Heathrow and the U.S. to 23. United is also scheduled to introduce a new daily non-stop seasonal service between Shannon Airport and its hometown hub at Chicago O’Hare, starting 26 May 2023, complementing the summer seasonal daily service from Shannon to New York/Newark, starting 8 April 2023. For the summer season, the airline will also add a second daily flight from Dublin to New York/Newark and a daily flight from Dublin to Chicago O’Hare, both commencing 23 April 2023, as well as a second daily flight from Edinburgh to New York/Newark, commencing 26 May 2023.


Azamara Launches New Trade Loyalty Platform To Support UK Travel Partners


“Hotel Buyers Club is more than just a loyalty


programme. Our vision is to build a community of like-minded travellers who are passionate about exploring the world while unlocking the best possible value on their preferred accommodations – wherever and whenever they travel,” says Philip Ballard, Chief Communications Officer, HotelPlanner. Anyone can experiment with the ChatGPT-


enabled function on the homepage search engine on https://hotelbuyers.club/ prior to becoming a paid member and finalising the booking. For paid Hotel Buyers Club members, the integration of ChatGPT is already live and available to assist with bookings.


NCL to Host Up to 1,500 Agents on 2023 Trips


NORWEGIAN Cruise Line (NCL) is targeting Meetings, Incentive, Conference and Events (MICE) sector growth in the UK with a new internal appointment and travel agent partner engagement events. At the start of the year, NCLH launched a


new division ‘Experiences at Sea’ – the union of Sixthman Festivals at Sea, the renowned music festival arm subsidiary of NCL, and the Company’s Charters, Meetings and Incentives (“CM&I”) division offering immersive events for leisure and corporate groups. Te division aims to bring guests together to enjoy highly curated, elevated cruise experiences with an emphasis on community, connection and journeys that create memories to last a lifetime. To further grow its business in the UK,


‘Experiences at Sea’ has enhanced its team roster with a new role. Based in Southampton, Sabrina Greca is assuming the newly created role of International Senior Corporate Sales Manager, working to increase sales in the MICE sector and head up the newly-formed ‘Experiences at Sea’ division for all markets outside of North America. Sabrina Greca said,


“Te value for money of a cruise-based event


versus a land-based event, whether a whole ship charter or a smaller group on an existing sailing, is incomparable. From health and wellbeing trips using the Mandara Spa, to F&B conferences using our stellar collection of onboard bars and restaurants, we know the MICE opportunity is untapped when it comes to UK sales. I’m excited to work with the team and explore this potential for the UK market and beyond.” Gary Anslow, Senior Sales Director UK &


Ireland at NCL, said “Charters and onboard events are a material


part of our business in North America and a number of our international markets, but they remain a huge opportunity in the UK and Ireland. Sabrina’s appointment will be critical in enabling UK agents with corporate clients to capitalise on the opportunity.” Greca will be joining the NCL team on two


travel agent partner-dedicated webinars on the 18th and 20th April to discuss the potential for sales in the MICE sector. Agents can sign up for the webinars on 18th April and 20th April.


WIZZ Air has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Cepsa for the supply of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from 2025. The MoU gives Wizz Air the opportunity to purchase SAF from Cepsa to supply the airline’s route network across Spain.


Cepsa’s SAF will be produced from organic waste, such as used cooking oils or agricultural waste, among others. These biofuels promote the circular economy by being produced from waste that would otherwise end up in landfills and will make it possible to reduce lifecycle emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional kerosene.


The partnership follows an initiative that was run at Seville


Airport in


November 2022, when Wizz Air was among the airlines operating around 220 flights from the airport over one week using SAF produced by Cepsa at its La Rábida Energy Park in Huelva. This was the first time that the supply of SAF at this magnitude has been seen at an airport in southern Europe. It was also the first time in Spain that the entire value chain was certified traceable by the ISCC (International Sustainability Carbon Certification) system from the production of the sustainable fuel to the actual supply.


As one of the main producers and suppliers of aviation fuels in the Spanish market, this new agreement consolidates Cepsa’s aim to become a leader in the clean energy sector and to spearhead the decarbonisation of air transport.


Jet2holidays Promotes Alan Cross to Director of Travel Agent Relationships


AZAMARA has launched its new, no cost to sign-up, trade loyalty platform, further demonstrating the line’s commitment to supporting and rewarding travel agents and advisors throughout the UK. In celebration of the launch, Azamara is


doubling its booking incentive for all bookings made for 2023 sailings, until the 30th April. From now until the end of the month, agents will receive a £20 reward on all applicable bookings, regardless of stateroom category, on sailings


including: the 7-Night Amalfi


& Dalmatian Coasts Voyage on the latest addition to Azamara’s fleet, Azamara Onward, beginning in Rome passing through Croatia and ending in one of the most romantical cities in the world, Venice; Azamara Journey’s 9-Night Gems of the Western Med Voyage, which passes through iconic European cities Barcelona, Lisbon and Florence; the 9-Night Israel Intensive Voyage on Azamara Pursuit, visiting some of the country’s most unique and beautiful ports, as well as other select voyages. Following the launch period, Azamara will


continue to offer agents a £10 reward per booking from the 1st May, in recognition of their ongoing support. David Duff, Managing Director UK at


Azamara comments: “Our trusted trade partners have always been, and will always be, integral to our sales success at Azamara, so as we continue to develop the UK market in line with ambitious business plans for growth in the region, we’re delighted to be launching a platform that rewards agents for their unwavering support, and that enables us to build stronger relationships with new and existing partners. It’s another exciting step in the development of the business in the UK, as we continue to grow.” For


more information AzamaraRewards.com visit www.


JET2HOLIDAYS has announced that Alan Cross has been promoted to the newly created position of Director of Travel Agent Relationships.


He has been promoted to the new position, having held the post of Head of Trade Sales for the past ten years..


Alan Cross has worked at Jet2holidays for over 14 years, having originally joined the company to launch its trade sales channel. He has worked in the travel industry for almost 45 years in a number of roles including retail, airline reservations,


cruise, advertising,


publishing and corporate software Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2holidays said:


“Working in partnership with independent travel agents and homeworkers is a critically important part of our business and we are recognising that by creating the new position of Director of Travel Agent Relationships. Alan has done a tremendous job leading our award-winning trade sales team, to the point where we are recognised as the industry- leaders when it comes to working with independent travel agents and homeworkers. I know he will continue to deliver even more success in this new role, and I am sure our partners will join me in congratulating Alan on this deserved promotion.” Alan Cross, Director of Travel Agent Relationships at Jet2holidays said: “The Jet2holidays Trade Team is continuing to put partnerships and relationships at the heart of everything that we do. We are seeing strong demand for our award- winning package holidays and we want to explore every avenue possible to build relationships, capitalise on this demand, and create mutually beneficial partnerships. With lots more exciting news in the pipeline, we are looking forward to even more success working together with independent travel agents and homeworkers.”


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