review wtm london international hub
Big Bus gets on board with Klook B
ig Bus Tours and travel activity and services booking platform Klook announced a tie-up during WTM London that will aid expansion into Asia and help with paperless ticketing. “Big Bus Tours’ products are very popular with our customers from Asia, particularly our Hong Kong products, for which Klook is a top-seller,” said Omid Golshan, executive vice-president of global growth at Big Bus Tours. He added: “Klook’s European and USA operations, launched this year as part of a global expansion, provide an opportunity for us to work more closely at local level to better merchandise Big Bus Tours’ products to Klook customers.” Klook’s partnership with API technology, which began last year, also means Big Bus Tours customers
The tie-up with Klook will aid Big Bus Tours’ expansion into the Asian market
“Through the API partnership with Klook, we can ensure that all our products in all cities are available in real time, on one of the world’s leading travel activities booking platforms. It’s in a digital format that customers from Asia are familiar with and prefer, ensuring we deliver a localised yet simple and consistent booking experience,” said Golshan. The company has already introduced
will be able to receive a QR code directly to their mobile devices on booking – something that’s particularly appealing to the Asian market where the technology is commonplace.
free Wi-Fi, real-time bus tracking and the ability for customers to locate their nearest stop through a mobile app. Big Bus Tours is the world’s largest operator of open-top sightseeing tours. This year it has expanded its global reach to 21 cities, launching its open-topp bus tours in Dublin and Los Angeles, and acquiring the Singapore Duck and Hippo tour company group.
EVENT REVIEW
Milestone moment for Avis
vis Budget Group is celebrating having passed the milestone of 100,000 connected cars’ within its fl eet. Travellers booking a connected car can use the Avis mobile app to change or upgrade their vehicle in
A T
heme park and attractions specialist Merlin Entertainments had major new openings in 2018. This year saw a new Legoland resort in Japan – incorporating a Lego-themed hotel and Sea Life aquarium – and the launch of Bear Grylls Adventure, which is based in Birmingham, UK. Italy’s Gardaland, near Lake Garda, meanwhile, is set to gain its third hotel in 2019 with a magic theme. The group is also gearing up for a Legoland resort in New York, slated to open in 2020, where themed lands will include a Knight’s Kingdom with a Lego castle. WeChat mini-programmes are among its new initiatives as it seeks to capitalise on the growth it has seen in both domestic and outbound Chinese visitors.
26 wtm insights winter 2018
● A quarter of the teams that participated in this year’s Fifa World up were fl own into ussia by ir Charter Service, along with fans, media and corporate guests. ● Strong Mice demand to Croatia, Morocco and Iceland has been among trends, along with Far East groups seeking European travel experiences such as the northern lights. ● Launches in Dubai, Athens, Stockholm, Los Angeles and Bangkok have taken iVenture Card’s global footprint to more than 20 destinations, and it has expansion plans in the same regions plus Africa for next year. A digital attraction pass with an app is also new. ● City Sightseeing says its current expansion is focused on Asia as well
real time; locate their vehicle in the car park; access receipts and booking details; and see how long it will be before the courtesy bus arrives. Avis Budget Group operates three of the industry’s most recognised brands: Avis, Budget and Zipcar.
Exhibitor news in brief
as smaller, ‘hidden gem’ cities, such as Sarajevo, where it launched in May. Dubai and Budapest are among its trending destinations. ● The Hospitality Industry Club – a community of service providers, is breaking into South America with an offi ce in uito, Ecuador for 2019. Its experts present hoteliers with innovative ideas and technology via evening workshops called ‘camps’. There are 20 planned around trade shows next year. ● Named UKInbound’s Tour Operator of the Year in February, AG Group has now expanded internationally and sells leisure and business trips to France, Benelux and North America – from family holidays to California to corporate wine-tastings at French chateaux.
wtm.com
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