86 TRAVEL TRADE NEWS
The Advantage Travel Partnership announces new Global Business Travel Advisory Board Membership
FOLLOWING its announcement in August that it is to establish a new Global Business Travel Advisory Board, The Advantage Travel Partnership has now announced the board’s 14-strong membership. The new board includes representatives from the world of aviation, technology, accommodation and other disciplines, who will meet quarterly to provide unparalleled insights, skills and guidance to Advantage’s Global Business Travel senior leadership team, helping drive forward at pace its ambitious growth strategy and enhance support for members and partners. Curated to bring together subject matter experts from across the global business travel industry, the new board will be tasked with supporting Advantage’s Global Business Travel’s ambitious goals and strategic direction,
whilst elevating Advantage’s
profile across the global business travel landscape as part of the evolution of its One- Stop Business Hub approach. Andrea Caulfield-Smith, Managing Director, Advantage Global Business Travel and Chair of the Advisory Board said: “We’re proud to announce this incredible selection of key figures from across the business travel industry to form our Global Business Travel Advisory Board. Between them, they will be able to bring proven expertise and
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Advantage’s steering groups, which currently operate across the organisation, and seek to deliver a clear approach to delivering robust engagement activity in supporting its overall strategic activity with all its stakeholders. The Global Business Travel Advisory Board includes:
Ashley Bowling – Vice President
of Commercial Solutions Business Development, Europe, Mastercard Clive Wratten – CEO, The Business Travel Association
Craig Burdett – Director of Operations, Media Flights
David Oppenheim – Director of Global
Sales, British Airways Diogo Carvalho – Managing Partner,
valuable strategic insights into all aspects of global business travel and help support the strategic development of our business, as well as help us remain laser focused on supporting our key objectives of sustained growth and ambitious plans for new product development for all our stakeholders. It is vital for us to remain agile in a rapidly evolving industry and we are continually looking to identify opportunities to help our stakeholders further succeed. This is the latest step as part of our strategic plan to
drive a complete One-Stop Business
Hub approach and we are looking forward to working together with the new advisory board to take bold steps and drive positive disruption in the business travel sector.” This new Advisory Board for Advantage’s
Global Business Travel division is the first step in creating a new dynamic approach to all
reached
Tourism NI Launch New Series of Innovation Roadshows
TOURISM Northern Ireland has launched a new series of innovation roadshows for tourism and hospitality businesses across the region. The first workshop in a series of three took place today at the Omagh.
Silverbirch Hotel in
The interactive workshops, which are part of Tourism NI’s `Innovate Tourism’ programme, aim to demonstrate how innovation is key to business growth, while also increasing awareness
and knowledge about what
innovation means in a tourism context. In addition, the workshops will show businesses how to embed innovation in day-to-day operations, creating value and enhancing the visitor experience. The businesses who signed up to take part in today’s workshop were also provided with advice and guidance, including what funding support is available to help generate new ideas to grow. The attendees,
who included tourism
businesses from across the region, ranging from hotels to tour guides to transport, also heard from David Douglas, from Derrie Danders, who shared
his own innovate tourism story. Tourism NI is hosting the workshops in partnership with Innovate NI, a Department for the Economy initiative, delivered by Invest Northern Ireland, in partnership with local councils
and further education colleges.
The current workshops are the second series as part of the partnership. Earlier this year, regional roadshows took place in Belfast, Derry and Banbridge. During an `Innovate Tourism Recognition’ event last month at the Galgorm Resort, more than 30 businesses who had attended the earlier roadshows, and who successfully
stages of the Innovate NI programme, were recognised for their achievement, and presented with a certificate. Topics discussed during today’s workshop in Omagh included understanding innovative activities and becoming innovative active. The businesses also explored the various sources of support they can access from Tourism NI and Innovate NI. The next innovation workshop in the new series will take place tomorrow at the Dunadry Hotel in Antrim followed by Killeavy Castle in Newry on Thursday. Eimear Callaghan, Head of Experience and Industry Development at Tourism
NI, said the first workshop in Omagh had been a “great success”. “It was wonderful to bring our industry together today to discuss and explore innovation and how it can benefit their businesses,” she said. “These roadshows aim to help and support the sector continue to thrive in an increasingly competitive market. Innovation is key to staying competitive and relevant in the ever- evolving tourism landscape. “Tourism is a regionally dispersed industry with more than 70% of tourism businesses and supported jobs located outside Belfast so therefore innovation workshops in areas like Omagh
are crucial to driving the positive impact of tourism.” Dr Vicky Kell, Director of Innovation, Research & Development at Invest NI said: “By equipping businesses with the tools and insights they need to innovate, we empower them to
thrive in an increasingly competitive landscape.
“Continuous innovation is essential for enhancing customer experiences and driving economic growth across Northern Ireland, particularly in regions outside of Belfast where
tourism plays a crucial role. “This aligns with the Minister for the Economy’s Economic Vision of fostering a dynamic and inclusive economy that benefits all communities. We are pleased to support this initiative alongside Tourism NI and help businesses unlock their full potential through innovation.” Further information about the innovation workshops is available at Innovate Tourism Roadshows.
Travelcare James Beagrie – Managing Director, Meon
Valley Travel Jeanette
Harper – Senior Director –
International Travel and Partnerships, Avis Budget Group Kim Renouf – Commercial Solutions and Business Development Director, Continental Travel
Jo Layton – CEO/Founder, CAP Worldwide Matt Masson – CEO, CT Partners Michael E White Duarte, Vice President of
Global Sales & Member Experience, Hickory Global Partners Paul Cronje – Managing Director, Clyde
Travel Management Simon Ferguson – Senior Vice President, Modaxo Simon Ferguson has over 20 years leadership Suzanne Horner – CEO, Gray Dawes Travel
NI TRAVEL NEWS ATTEND WORLD TRAVEL MARKET LONDON 2024
NI Travel News attended World Travel Market 2024 in London.
The team met with familiar and new clients from across the globe over two days.
November/December 2024
NI Travel News Attend Barrhead Conference in Ibiza!
NI Travel News’ Christine McCleery attended the ‘Thrive in 2025’ Barrhead Conference in the Grand Palladium Hotel, Ibiza.
With a day time itinerary bursting with inspiration and a night time itinerary packed with lots of surprises, this year’s Barrhead Conference kicked off to a fantastic start.
The theme of this year’s conference
was ‘Thrive in 2025’ and was designed to celebrate this year’s success while looking forward at how agents can prosper and develop next year. Delegates had plenty of free time to explore the fabulous Grand Palladium Hotel before heading to the Ushuaia Towers Rooftop for an evening of entertainment against the backdrop of the famous Ushuaia venue to kickstart the much anticipated conference. The
following morning kicked
off the main stage sessions where delegates heard from Barrhead Travel Group senior management as well as views from industry leaders. Delegates then headed to the Beach
House – a chic beach club venue for a party night with a twist!
CRYSTAL has announced further expansion of its UK & EMEA sales presence which will enable the company to provide further support for its trade partners and achieve strategic growth in the UK and across Europe. Danny Giles, Regional Sales Manager
North.
Danny joined Crystal on 6h November as part of the UK sales team. He brings a wealth of knowledge having spent 20 years in the travel industry, 14 of which have been in luxury and expedition cruising. Danny has an in-depth understanding of the cruise industry and will play a pivotal role in driving trade
HX Explores New Horizons with Brand New Loyalty Programme
HX has announced the launch of ‘HX Explorers’, its first standalone dynamic loyalty programme set to inspire curiosity and enrich the travel experiences of all its guests. Designed for both seasoned travellers and newcomers alike, HX Explorers will offer an array of exclusive benefits and rewards starting this month (November). The new loyalty programme has two tiers:
Level 1 – for those who are about to sail, and Level 2 for those who have sailed more than
3 nights. The membership offers special rates for repeat bookings but also aims to cultivate a community of like-minded travelers who value authentic experiences, making each member feel appreciated and understood. The scheme will provide special activities and offers on HX products, as well as special rates for chosen like-minded and sustainable brands, including CEWE, Waterhaul, and Ocean Bottles.
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