NDC offers confuse clients, frustrate agents

A recent Travel News poll showed that 5% of agents book NDC via airline direct websites, 10% utilise a third-party platform (eg Thomalex), 15% book NDC via the GDS interface and 10% book a combination of all these options. 

But an alarming 60% of agents said they are not using NDC at all.

According to its 2024 Modern Retailing Report, Travelport research shows that NDC and website-direct offers are at odds with the consumer experience and that 58% of users are struggling to compare new products and additional offers available through NDC.

In 2022, Iata said of Modern Airline Retailing: “Our aim is to create value for travellers by meeting their needs. We know that passengers want a seamless digital experience.”

The NDC-powered displays of fares on many airlines’ websites mean that a vast number of fares are displayed. The fares represent the unbundling of standard fares and the rebundling of their elements into a variety of different offers. It’s somewhat bewildering and confusing for consumers, who could end up paying more for their fare than they bargained for.

A leisure client interviewed by Travel News said he received a quote from his travel agent to fly to Lisbon. “We were out with friends and they said I should book direct online as the airline website is always cheaper than agents offer. I went on to the website of the airline that my agent had quoted me on to have a look and the fares were indeed cheaper than she had quoted us.

“I put the same dates and flight details in on the same airline, got the cheaper rate and paid for the tickets, having compared apples with apples. The terms and conditions and different booking options were confusing at best.

“I have subsequently discovered that I booked the cheapest flights without baggage, and I cannot change my dates or get any refund on the tickets. Baggage is purchasable as an addition to the airfare and there were about seven different options and related prices for various fares that affect changes and refunds.

“Airline website offerings are a nightmare. There is so much more content to wade through; they have become more trouble than they are worth.”

Travelport CEO, Greg Webb, spoke to Travel News about solutions the GDS is developing to address the complexities of booking NDC.

 “Travelport’s role in the increasingly complex travel industry is to take millions of pieces of disparate information and make it simple for both travel agencies and providers to understand, search, sell and service. We believe AI and machine learning are powerful tools to do just that. The Travelport Content Curation Layer product will allow travel agencies to provide travellers with the right range of normalised, enriched, bookable content at speed, via a single search screen. Used for all content sources (LCC, EDIFACT, NDC, hotel, car, etc). The CCL allows agents to compare apples to oranges in an apples-to-apples way.

“Our travel agency partners know their travellers well, and Content Optimizer gives agencies the ability to set their own rules and customise the type of results that are prioritised.”

The Travelport report explains that because NDC content is implemented differently by every airline, the reality is the buyer is often forced to deal with NDC, whether they know it or not. 

To travellers, NDC looks like an overwhelming set of content on every airline’s website, along with different rules for changes on every offer, along with system incompatibilities, such as the offering of long-haul flights from South Africa to Europe, the US or Asia without the inclusion of baggage. It’s hard to believe this feels like a satisfactory modern retailing experience for the consumer. 

The same can be said for the travel agent’s experience when working with NDC. They often see duplicated content on the screen, or must open multiple tabs to compare like-for-like products. 

Added Webb: “For agencies and travellers alike, the explosion of choice is causing on-screen clutter, slower searches, and confusion.”

Travelport’s new Content Curation Layer and Content Optimizer was designed to unlock smarter searches in one place with clearer and more standardised results from all sources, said Webb.

 Source: Travel News

AirAsia Takes Flight in Kenya- What Does This Mean for You?

We are delighted to inform you that the Kenyan Ministry of Transport has granted AirAsia full approval for scheduled flights between Kuala Lumpur and Nairobi. This official clearance allows you to confidently sell tickets to your customers without any concerns. The arrival of AirAsia in Kenya marks a new era of affordable air travel. With its vast network and competitive fares, this low-cost carrier is set to revolutionize the way Kenyans travel.

Discover More Destinations

One of the most exciting benefits is the opportunity to explore new destinations. AirAsia’s extensive network provides access to 35 new destinations across 12 countries, allowing you to cater to a wider range of traveler preferences. Whether your clients dream of the vibrant cities of Southeast Asia, the stunning beaches of Australia, the cultural richness of HongKong, or the business acumen of Singapore AirAsia can take them there.

Reduced Fares and Travel Hours

AirAsia has maintained its position as the world’s leading low-cost airline for an unprecedented 15 consecutive years, winning the prestigious Skytrax World Airline Award in June 2024. Beyond its financial success, AirAsia has been a pioneer in environmental sustainability and affordable travel. Connect your customers to Australia for up to 40% less than traditional flights while enjoying flight times that are over 30% shorter!

All cabin classes

Direct flights to Kuala Lumpur and beyond will be operated by an Airbus A330. Defying expectations, this low-cost carrier offers a premium experience, including all cabin classes typically found on full-service airlines, even flatbed seats. The aircraft configuration is detailed below:

What Next?

1. Do you wish to sell East and Southeast Asia destinations?  Register on their booking system by clicking here if you’ve not already

2. Join the exclusive AirAsia System and destinations training for our member travel agents on Friday the 9th of August.

Enjoy The Convenience Of One Ticket To Jeddah From Kenya Airways Network.

Travelling to and from the Gulf just got easier with Kenya Airways! KQ has partnered with Saudia Airlines (SV) to facilitate seamless travel for guests looking for a convenient option as they explore Jeddah for leisure or business.

With just one ticket, guests can now travel to Jeddah from Nairobi, Mombasa, Eldoret and Mogadishu with a connection through Dubai. On the other hand, travelers from Jeddah can fly to Nairobi as well as Accra and Entebe via Nairobi. Travelers from other parts of KQ’s Africa network can also enjoy the same seamless connectivity as this partnership provides a gateway into and out of the Gulf region and serves as a critical connection to Africa for the Gulf. This partnership affirms KQs commitment to connecting people, cultures and markets by providing guests with more connectivity options, itinerary flexibilityand affordable rates.

DET unveils Dubai, A Whole New You campaign.

Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism has announced the launch of its latest campaign, ‘Dubai, A Whole New You’, featuring Saif Ali Khan and Sara Ali Khan across Dubai. The campaign video showcases their dynamic relationship blossoming against the backdrop of Dubai’s landscape.

The duo gets competitive at the Real Madrid World theme park, setting the tone for new adventures that Dubai offers including cruising through the waters in a jet car, dining at Krasota and more. Dubai wins them over, as they discover ‘A Whole New You’ in each other.

The campaign aims to bring families together to unwind and rebond in Dubai. Through unique adventures and exciting experiences, the duo take a break from their everyday hustle to reconnect as a family, coming together to tick off items on their bucket list and revelling in all that the city has to offer. It is a showcase of how Indian families can also foster stronger connections with each other when travelling. 

Bader Ali Habib, Regional Head of Proximity Markets, Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism stated, “As we launch our new campaign, our steadfast focus remains on enriching Dubai’s tourism offerings for Indian families. Dubai offers an array of captivating experiences spanning art, culture, adventure, gastronomy, as well as retail and outdoor attractions that are second to none. Through this campaign, we reaffirm our commitment to setting global benchmarks in tourism, inviting families across the country to create their own cherished moments in the heart of this vibrant destination.”

Saif Ali Khan expressed his delight, saying, “It has been an absolute honour to collaborate with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism for their inspiring campaign, ‘Dubai, A Whole New You.’ Watching Sara grow beyond a daughter into a co-artist, and now working with her, has been a special experience. Our busy schedules often leave us with limited occasions to explore and enjoy activities together, so to see Dubai through her eyes was terrific. It was a great opportunity for us to truly soak in the best of Dubai, experience its incredible offerings, and spend quality time together.”

“It was amazing to discover Dubai through my abba’s eyes, and of course to take him to cute, Instagrammable spots. I love family vacations, and this one was particularly special as it allowed me to hang out with my dad and take him on fun adventures. I love setting off on short getaways from India, and Dubai has something new and interesting to offer every time I visit, creating memories that will last a lifetime,” added Sara Ali Khan.

Source:  BW Hotelier.

IATA – Remaining Relevant to Travel Agents

Modern Airline Retailing is an active and important initiative for airlines around the world. But though control of the Offer and Order environment is an essential component in a fiercely competitive industry, IATA is aware that not all airlines have the same set of requirements and distribution strategies.

“This is why the Agency Program is still so important,” says Muhammad Albakri, IATA’s SVP for Financial Settlement and Distribution Services. “IATA accredited agents are trusted distribution partners, and our Agency Program allows airlines and agents to come together to solve challenges and ensure this vital channel remains strong.”

Moreover, the Agency Program fits perfectly with the overall objective of giving customers greater choice. The travel agent is still a vital part of the offer to the customer and has become a hub for consolidating the travel experience. Travel agents are also playing an important role in Modern Airline Retailing as IATA continues to see an increase in NDC transactions in the BSP. 

“Really, they are travel consultancies now,” says Albakri. “They provide an end-to-end service and are now much more than ticket providers.”

In 2023, the travel and tourism sector contributed 9.1% to global GDP and created 27 million new jobs, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council. Airlines are critical to making that happen. And so are travel agents.

In fact, travel agents are still the industry’s strongest distribution channel. The aim, therefore, is to ensure these agents are robust, reliable partners and the process of engagement—whether it is payment or fulfilling passenger requests—is as seamless and cost-effective as possible.

Keeping the program relevant

The most important step was the development of New Generation IATA Settlement Systems (NewGen ISS) approximately five years ago. This introduced different levels of accreditation:

  • Go Global is for large multinational agents and simplifies BSP participation by having a single agreement and a consolidated financial security and Remittance Holding Capacity.
  • Go Standard agents are allowed to sell in cash and other forms of payment.
  • Go Lite agents benefit from not having to furnish financial securities to participate in BSP and are allowed to sell with IATA EasyPay and Credit Cards.

Airlines in turn gained from enhanced risk management and other tools that made the distribution of tickets through travel agents even safer.

“It is not one-size-fits-all anymore,” says Albakri. “Agents can join at an appropriate level of accreditation for their business but still gain from the trust and reach that being accredited brings.”

Supporting the recovery of the industry

After COVID, IATA focused on revamping the accreditation process and streamlining the requirements. The Go Standard agents do not have to go through a financial assessment for the first two years of operation, for example. All told, the changes have resulted in a 50% reduction in accreditation times and a customer satisfaction of 90%.

“We did all this without compromising the risk management criteria,” says Albakri. “In fact, we have enhanced it by adding different compliance reviews, such as PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard), as a requirement for agencies selling in credit cards, and more robust real-time monitoring of agency sales. But we can improve further both on continuing to strengthen the risk environment and on improving IATA’s service to travel agents by reducing our processing times.”

The improvements in the accreditation process together with the resilience shown by the Agency Program during the pandemic has led to strong demand and growth in accreditation numbers.

“We have also been more present in events and different meetings where travel agents approached us to know more about the benefits of the program and the requirements to become IATA accredited,” says Albakri. “In addition, IATA has historically entered into promotional agreements with different parties to increase the number of Participants and we are fully committed to continuing with this best practice.”

As a result, the number of travel agent codes in the BSP has increased from 54,341 in 2022 to 58,923 codes in April 2024.

For Albakri, this proves that as long as there continues to be a commercial relationship between airlines and travel agents, the program will continue to be extremely valuable.

“Agents will be even more relevant in the future than they were in the past,” he believes. “The Agency program is at the heart of industry resilience because it is a strong, trusted system for distributing and selling tickets and collecting monies. There is also a very low cost of transaction and IATA will continue to improve the service we provide.”

Source:   IATA.

Stay Connected And Save Over 75% When You Travel With The KQ Safari Data Roaming Plan

Imagine landing in a new country and your normal data plan won’t work! You can’t call over the internet, you can’t text, you can’t go online and you can’t even use your phone apps to get a cab. This is the definition of stress for any traveler. Whether you are travelling for business or for leisure, staying connected is important and for this, you need a trusted data solution that can ensure you are able to communicate and you can connect to the internet. Safari Data from Kenya Airways offers just that! Peace of mind and connectivity when travelling.

Safari Data provides over 2200+ Data Roaming plans to travelers at a very low cost, is available in over 180+ countries and the plans are based on per Country as well as Regional plans and Global plans. This means, we have got you covered pretty much everywhere you are travelling. The data plan is only for mobile internet which means users can make calls or send messages through applications like Skype, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Viber, WeChat, etc.

The solution which has been developed in partnership with Roambuddy.world Ltd has been tested and tried over and over guaranteeing you a reliable data partner for all your travels. It is easy to install and is available on eSIM compatible devices allowing users to access the internet via a 3G, 4G, LTE or 5G networks.

With KQ Safari Data you do not need to worry about expensive roaming data charges from your local operator. The data plans are easy to purchase and activate. The data roaming plan currently offers plans starting from 7 day for 1GB plans and 30 day plans for plans with 3GB or more data with the option of getting Global Plans with longer durations up to 365 days with the highest speeds wherever possible (3G/4G/5G) on Kenya Airways supported networks around the world.

So, the next time you are traveling, don’t get stranded by lack of internet access, simply purchase your eSIM data plan on  https://www.kqsafaridata.com/ before you travel and stay connected!

Discover the Beauty and Potential of Eldoret with Kenya Airways

Renowned as the home of champions with beautiful lush highlands, natural beauty, and cultural heritage, Eldoret is now the 44th Kenya Airways destination. Kenya Airways recently relaunched its flight services to and from Eldoret effective March 25th, 2024.

Driven by its mission “To propel Africa’s prosperity by connecting its people, cultures, and markets.” Kenya Airways reintroduced its flights to connect Eldoret to the world and the world to Eldoret for tourism, trade, sports and culture. With 6 weekly flights, the schedule is perfect for sportsmen and sportswomen coming to train from abroad who want a seamless connection, for the business community who want to travel to explore opportunities, for students traveling to study, for family and friends traveling as well as tourists who want to explore the regions hidden wonders.

The service was first introduced with 5 weekly flights and in June, Kenya Airways responded to market demand and increased the flights to 6 weekly flights to provide customers with flexible travel options. The flights also offer seamless connectivity for international travel to and from other KQ destinations across the world. Guests travelling to and from Eldoret will also be eligible to earn Asante Reward points every time they fly with Kenya Airways.

New Schedule:

Unlocking East Africa’s potential as a premier medical tourism destination

East Africa’s healthcare sector has been on a transformative journey, driven by a decentralized government system and expanding infrastructure. The region is poised to become a top destination for medical tourism, tapping into its potential to offer world-class healthcare services to both local and international patients.

In a recent interview on CNBC Africa, Rashid Khalani, CEO of Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya, discussed the advancements, opportunities, challenges, and collaborative efforts needed to unlock East Africa’s potential as a premier medical tourism destination. Khalani highlighted the strengths and opportunities that Kenya and the region possess in becoming a hub for medical tourism. He emphasized Kenya’s liberal visa regime, political and economic stability, excellent infrastructure, and investments in human resource capacity within the healthcare sector as key factors that position the country for success in medical tourism.

The CEO underlined the importance of quality healthcare services over just infrastructure, emphasizing the significance of skilled professionals and advanced technology in delivering superior patient care. When discussing the economic impact of medical tourism, Khalani pointed out that while there is no documented study on the exact figures, the potential for revenue generation in the industry is substantial.

Citing examples from countries like India, Turkey, and Dubai, where medical tourism contributes tens of billions of dollars to the economy, Khalani believes that East Africa, particularly Nairobi, could similarly benefit from this lucrative market. He estimated that the region could attract hundreds of millions of dollars annually through medical tourism, given the right investments and strategies.

However, Khalani acknowledged the challenges hindering East Africa’s path to becoming a top medical tourism destination, with a key focus on the lack of a robust manufacturing base for medical supplies and equipment. He emphasized the importance of building sustainable supply chains and investing in local manufacturing to reduce costs and enhance the region’s competitiveness in the global medical tourism market.

Khalani also stressed the need for ongoing investments in human resource capacity, particularly in subspecialized training for medical professionals, to elevate the quality of healthcare services and meet the diverse needs of patients seeking treatment in the region. Collaboration among East African governments was identified as a crucial component in advancing the medical tourism agenda. Khalani called for countries in the region to work together on joint manufacturing projects for medical devices and equipment, creating a tax-friendly environment to facilitate the seamless movement of goods and people across borders.

By pooling resources and expertise, East African countries could enhance their collective capacity and attractiveness as a medical tourism destination. Reflecting on the current state of infrastructure in East Africa, Khalani acknowledged progress but noted that significant development efforts are still required. While individual healthcare institutions like the Aga Khan University Hospital have made substantial investments in technology and quality enhancements, there is a broader need for infrastructure development across the region to support the growth of medical tourism. Khalani’s insights shed light on the journey ahead for East Africa as it strives to establish itself as a premier destination for medical tourism.

By addressing challenges, fostering collaboration, and prioritizing investments in healthcare infrastructure and human capital, the region can unlock its full potential and offer world-class healthcare services to a global clientele.

Source:   CNBC Africa.   

Read more articles on Kenya’s medical Tourism: Business Dailyhttps://www.businessdailyafrica.com/bd/opinion-analysis/columnists/how-kenya-can-unlock-its-medical-tourism-potential–4667234

Ethiopian Airlines Claims Skytrax’s Best Airline in Africa Title for Seven Years in a Row

Ethiopian Airlines, the largest airline group in Africa, keeps its top spot as the Best Airline in Africa and three other categories at the 2024 SKYTRAX World Airlines Award held in the UK. Ethiopian took the crown for multiple other prestigious accolades with the Best Airline in Africa title for seven consecutive years. 

Ethiopian has been honored with the titles for:

  • Best Airline in Africa for seven years in a row,
  • Best Business Class in Africa for six years in a row,
  • Best Economy Class in Africa for six years in a row,
  • Best Economy Class Onboard Catering in Africa.

Sending his congratulatory message on the award, Mr. Mesfin Tasew, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO said: “We are pleased to have proudly received the prestigious Skytrax World Airlines 2024 award for the seventh consecutive year. At Ethiopian Airlines, our unwavering dedication to customer-centric innovation has been pivotal to our success. We remain at the forefront of the aviation industry by continually adopting cutting-edge technology to elevate our passengers’ experience.”

Edward Plaisted, CEO of Skytrax said, “We congratulate Ethiopian Airlines on winning this top award as Africa’s Best Airline for a seventh successive year and this level of consistency is a fabulous achievement that the Ethiopian Airlines management and staff should be very proud of.”

The World Airline Awards are wholly independent and impartial, introduced in 1999 to provide a customer satisfaction study that is truly global. Travelers across the world vote in the largest airline passenger satisfaction survey to determine the award winners. The awards are referred to by media around the world as “the Oscars of the aviation industry”.

These accolades, from the reputable SKYTRAX World Airlines Award, showcase our commitment to sustainability in our business and the services we provide. They are dear prizes from our esteemed customers through their vote of confidence and an achievement realized through the hard work of all employees throughout the Ethiopian network.

                                  Together, We Can Achieve More!

Read more https://www.ethiopianairlines.com/aa/shebaSkyConnect

With 14 Weekly Flights to Choose From, You Can Fly To Dubai At Your Convenience With Kenya Airways

Shopping. Beaches. Food. Dessert drives. Water Adventures. Culture. Architecture. Business…the allure of Dubai is unending, and Kenya Airways has made travel to Dubai convenient for customers by providing 14 weekly flights.

Whether you are traveling for business or leisure, the Kenya Airways flight schedule is conveniently crafted to get you there on time. If you prefer a night flight to get you there on time to start your activities early morning or if you prefer a morning flight to ensure you settle and catch up with your appointments in the afternoon, KQ has a wide variety of flights for you to choose at competitive fares.

In response to demand from guests, Kenya Airways has flights to Dubai from two cities in Kenya i.e. Nairobi and Mombasa providing guests with the option to depart from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi or Moi International Airport, Mombasa. With 11 weekly flights from Nairobi to Dubai and 3 weekly flights from Mombasa to Dubai, Kenya Airways offers direct flights to ensure guests' needs are catered to.

That’s not it. KQ ensures an elevated customer experience and satisfaction by using the Airbus A332 & Boeing B737 on this route which are renowned for space and increased passenger comfort. The choice of aircraft also ensures that guests traveling for business or trade have enough baggage capacity.

Why choose Kenya Airways as your travel partner of choice? Kenya Airways promises unmatched professional hospitality with an African touch from friendly crew and gives guests a chance to earn redeemable Asante Reward points every time they choose Kenya Airways.

Book Now