Dubai Tourism unveils unique experiences.

Dubai’s Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) has announced the launch of a new set of initiatives aimed at creating unforgettable local experiences for visitors and ensuring repeat visitations.

The end-to-end ‘Only in Dubai’ set of initiatives are part of ongoing efforts to further strengthen Dubai’s tourism offerings and build upon the key pillars of Dubai’s Tourism Vision 2022-2025.

The revised strategy has set a target of welcoming 25 million visitors annually by 2025, and make Dubai the most visited city in the world.

“While our world-class propositions and experiences showcase the diversity of the destination offerings and provide segment-based preferences for tourists, we are working closely with our partners and stakeholders to curate, create and deliver personalised end-to-end experiences,” said Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing.

Dubai Tourism will develop the end-to-end ‘Only in Dubai’ experiences with the help of the emirate’s agile and responsive ecosystem, featuring collaborations with partners in creating specialised programmes, activations and authentic one-of-a-kind experiences.

Source: Khaleej Times.

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!

Travelport introduces NDC content from Emirates.

Travelport and Emirates have joined forces to deliver New Distribution Capability (NDC) content from the airline and enhanced NDC servicing capabilities on the Travelport+ platform.

With this launch, Travelport’s agency customers will be able to easily view and compare NDC offers and ancillaries from Emirates and create a more streamlined, personalised experience for travellers. It also provides agents the ability to service NDC bookings, which includes modifications and cancellations.

Travelport’s NDC content and servicing solution for Emirates is now available to all agency customers located in Australia, Indonesia, the UAE, and the UK. Access to Emirates NDC solution in Travelport+ will expand to agency customers located in additional countries in the coming weeks.

Adnan Kazim, deputy president and chief commercial officer at Emirates, commented: “The integration of our systems will strengthen the expansion of our reach across the global travel retail community and allow them to offer travellers more choice among our best-in-class products and services.”

“This pivotal NDC milestone with Emirates proves Travelport is at the forefront of modern retailing with our ability to provide the best content and tools that agents require to create superior booking and servicing experiences for their customers,” said Jason Clarke, chief commercial officer, travel partners, Travelport.

Source:   TTG Asia.

Tourism agency (KTB) bets on adventure travel to grow numbers.

The Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) is banking on public-private partnerships to grow Kenya’s adventure tourism opportunities. KTB Chief Executive June Chepkemei says adventure tourism has demonstrated resilience and potential to attract more visitors to the country due to its adaptability and broad economic benefits that support local communities.

“Recent statistics point to the growth of adventure travel with its resilience and ability to support local economies, especially as countries rebuild following the global travel rebound from Covid-19,” she noted.

She highlighted multi-faceted adventure experiences that include eco-friendly safaris, birding, hiking, and water sports among others. “Besides other attractions, the country is long known for such as beach and wildlife, there are hidden gems that we can creatively promote through off-the-beaten-track locations during off-peak seasons. This would go a long way in spreading out visitors and revenues for broader benefits to our economy and communities,” she explained.

Chepkemei made the remarks during the inaugural meeting of the Kenya Adventure Tourism Product Club which was established by the board as a platform for collaboration in packaging and promoting Kenya’s adventure tourism offering.

Through the Kenya Adventure Tourism Product Club, KTB has identified various tourism leaders who will work closely with the board in showcasing Kenya’s adventure tourism experiences to Kenyans and the world. The club members are drawn from private and public sectors cutting across diverse experiences from running and kite surfing, mountain climbing, trekking, canyoning and abseiling.

The global adventure tourism market, valued at over $450 billion (Sh58 trillion), offers tremendous potential for destinations, especially as the tourism sector fully rebounds globally.

Source: Standard Media

African Aviation Conference 2024: Key Commitments to Enhance Travel and Connectivity.

The African aviation sector reached a significant milestone this week with the conclusion of the African Aviation Conference, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This pivotal event brought together key stakeholders from across the continent and beyond, including government officials, airline executives, aviation experts, and industry partners. Over three days of intensive discussions, panels, and networking sessions, participants charted a forward-looking vision aimed at transforming Africa’s aviation landscape.

The conference, organised by the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), was themed “Elevating African Aviation: Innovation, Sustainability, and Connectivity.” It focused on addressing the unique challenges and opportunities within the African aviation industry. In his opening remarks, AFCAC Secretary General Tefera Mekonnen highlighted the sector’s potential to drive economic growth, enhance regional integration, and improve the quality of life for millions of Africans. Key Issues Discussed

Infrastructure Development:

One of the primary topics was the urgent need for infrastructure upgrades. Many African airports and related facilities lag behind global standards, hampering efficiency and safety. Delegates emphasised investments in modernising airports, expanding runways, and enhancing air traffic control systems. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) were identified as a crucial mechanism to mobilise the required funding.

Airline Cooperation and Partnerships:

The conference underscored the importance of cooperation among African airlines. Fragmentation has long been a challenge, with many small national carriers struggling to compete with international giants. The idea of forming strategic alliances and partnerships was championed to enhance competitiveness and expand route networks. The African Airlines Association (AFRAA) proposed initiatives to foster deeper collaboration and resource sharing among member airlines.

Regulatory Harmonisation:

Regulatory fragmentation across different African countries poses a significant barrier to seamless air travel. The implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), a flagship project of the African Union (AU), was a key focus. The initiative aims to create a unified air transport market in Africa, promoting competition and reducing airfares. Conference attendees called for accelerated adoption of SAATM by all AU member states to unlock the full potential of the aviation sector.

Sustainability and Environmental Concerns:

Environmental sustainability emerged as a crucial agenda item. Africa’s aviation industry is not immune to the global push for greener practices. Discussions centred on reducing carbon emissions, adopting sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs), and implementing more efficient flight operations. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) presented a roadmap for African airlines to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, aligning with global aviation targets.

Technology and Innovation:

Embracing technological advancements was highlighted as a pathway to revolutionise African aviation. From digital ticketing and biometric boarding systems to advanced data analytics for optimising flight operations, technology can enhance the passenger experience and operational efficiency. The conference featured showcases of cutting-edge solutions tailored for the African market, encouraging stakeholders to invest in and adopt these innovations.

Pledges and Commitments

The conference culminated in a series of pledges and commitments aimed at translating the discussions into concrete actions. Some of the key pledges included:

Investment in Infrastructure: Governments and private investors committed to allocating substantial resources towards upgrading and expanding airport infrastructure. This includes modernising terminals, enhancing cargo facilities, and improving air navigation services.

Enhanced Collaboration: African airlines vowed to work more closely through codeshare agreements, joint ventures, and shared services to enhance connectivity and operational efficiency. The establishment of an African aviation alliance was proposed to foster deeper cooperation.

Regulatory Reforms: Several countries pledged to expedite the implementation of SAATM, aligning their regulatory frameworks to facilitate a single aviation market. AFCAC committed to providing technical support and capacity-building programs to assist member states in this transition.

Sustainability Initiatives: Airlines and aviation authorities committed to adopting environmentally sustainable practices. This includes investing in SAFs, optimising flight routes to reduce fuel consumption, and implementing carbon offset programs.

Technological Adoption: Stakeholders pledged to embrace digital transformation, investing in technologies that improve safety, efficiency, and the passenger experience. This includes enhancing cybersecurity measures to protect against emerging threats.

Looking Ahead

The African Aviation Conference marked a significant step towards a more connected, efficient, and sustainable aviation sector in Africa. However, the real challenge lies in turning these pledges into reality. Continuous collaboration, investment, and innovation will be essential to overcoming the obstacles and realising the vision outlined during the conference.

As the conference concluded, there was a palpable sense of optimism and determination among the delegates. With the right strategies and concerted efforts, Africa’s aviation industry has the potential to soar to new heights, driving economic growth and improving the lives of millions across the continent. The future of African aviation looks promising, and the commitments made at this conference provide a strong foundation for the journey ahead.

Source: Tekedia.  

Airlines, government and businesses rush to get back on track after global tech disruption.

Transport providers, businesses, hospitals and governments on Saturday are rushing to get all their systems back online after long disruptions following a widespread technology outage.

The biggest continuing effect has been on air travel. Carriers canceled thousands of flights on Friday and now have many of their planes and crews in the wrong place, while airports facing continued problems with check-in and security. On Saturday around 10:30 p.m. EDT, flight-tracking service FlightAware listed more than 33,000 total flight delays on its website, and more than 2,700 cancellations.

Both American Airlines and United Airlines said Saturday that most of its operations were restored and back up and running.

At the heart of the massive disruption is CrowdStrike, a cybersecurity firm that provides software to scores of companies worldwide. The company says the problem occurred when it deployed a faulty update to computers running Microsoft Windows, noting that the issue behind the outage was not a security incident or cyberattack.

The Microsoft outage caused by the CrowdStrike software update also caused the return of a familiar — and dreaded — screen for many Windows users: what has come to be known informally as the “blue screen of death,” indicating that their computer systems are down.

Microsoft said 8.5 million devices running its Windows operating system were affected by the outage that affected consumers and businesses across the globe, including airlines, banks, health care providers, telecoms, retailers and even billboards in New York City’s Times Square.

In a blog post shared on Saturday morning, Microsoft said it engaged with CrowdStrike to automate work on developing a solution, sharing instructions on how to remedy the issue and deploying “hundreds of Microsoft engineers and experts to work directly with customers to restore services,” among other steps to keep people informed and help affected customers.

“We currently estimate that CrowdStrike’s update affected 8.5 million Windows devices, or less than one percent of all Windows machines,” said the blog post from Microsoft cybersecurity executive David Weston.

“While the percentage was small, the broad economic and societal impacts reflect the use of CrowdStrike by enterprises that run many critical services.”

Source: CBS News.  

Kenya banks on continental chairmanship to drive MICE industry.

Kenyatta International Convention Centre CEO James Mwaura has been elected chairperson of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) –African Chapter for a two-year term following a competitive process.

This is the first time Kenya has won the position.

ICCA is an international body which represents the world’s leading suppliers in handling, transporting and accommodating international meetings and events.

It comprises of 1,100-member companies and organizations across the world and specializes in the international association’s meetings sector in 100 countries.

The African chapter has about 50 members and plays a pivotal role in developing and growing the local meetings and events industry and enhancing the global competitiveness of the continent.

As the new chair, Mwaura will work with his colleagues in the ICCA Africa chapter to position Africa as a prime business conferencing destination and showcase the potential of the continent to host big events.

Africa has a great deal of potential in the meetings and conference business and his efforts will be dedicated in helping Chapter members exploit this potential to increase the number of meetings that Africa hosts, KICC saidn in a statement on Thursday.

Kenya expects to gain from the position through the strategic influence Mwaura will have in hosting of rotational conferences.

Mwaura expressed his gratitude to the Africa Chapter members for believing and voting for him.

Commenting on his new role, Mwaura said he will use the influential post to further position Kenya as an attractive destination for conference tourism also known as Meetings, Incentives, Travel, Conferences and Exhibition (MICE) Tourism.

“Key will be to showcase Kenya and the continent’s capabilities to host large conferences and events.  Africa is ready to do business with the world. With the right in-country partnerships, member countries can host major events and as ICCA Africa Chapter, we will work to ensure we raise this profile,” said Mwaura.

He further commits to deliver on his promises to grow the Chapter.

“I will push for strategic Chapter involvement that provide valuable business and learning opportunities for Africa, develope initiatives that foster greater participation and networking among Africa Chapter members, as well as mobilise new members to the chapter,” Mwaura said.

The post will enable Kenya gain access to valuable industry data, research, and insights that can inform the country’s MICE strategic decisions.

It will also give the country increased global visibility and recognition through strategic business speaking opportunities in international ICCA forums.

Mwaura has further committed to leverage on the position to influence the growth and development of Kenya’s meetings and conventions industry on a global scale.

“Kenya will possess the potential to successfully secure leads for conventions to be held within the country,” Mwaura added.

Further, the position will give Kenya an upper hand in collaborating with teams of experienced professionals and support from ICCA’s resources and infrastructure. 

Some of the objectives of the African Chapter as the voice of Africa in the global meetings world include increasing Africa’s market share of the global meetings industry.

It is also focused on extracting more business between countries on the continent, growing and nurturing the people within the industry and creating a positive image about Africa as a unique and inspiring destination for international meetings and events.

 Source: The Star.  

Uganda Airlines announces flights to Nigeria, Zambia.

Starting September 2024, Uganda Airlines will begin flights to Abuja in Nigeria, Harare in Zimbabwe, and Lusaka in Zambia.

These new routes will join the airline’s existing destinations, including Nairobi, Mombasa, Dar es Salaam, Bujumbura, Johannesburg, Dubai, Zanzibar, Lagos, Kinshasa, Mumbai, Mogadishu, Juba, and Kilimanjaro.

According to a press release, the flights to Abuja will start on September 12, 2024, operating every Sunday and Thursday with the A330-800 aircraft. This service extends the existing flights to Lagos, which run on Sundays, Mondays, and Thursdays.

For Lusaka and Harare, services will start on September 25, 2024, with four times-a-week flights on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday using the CRJ-900 aircraft. While launching the routes, Jenifer Bamuturaki, Uganda Airlines chief executive officer (CEO), said that these network additions increase Uganda’s connectivity to the rest of Africa and bring more choice and convenience to travellers.

“The creation of an air bridge to West Africa and Southern Africa will bring convenience to travellers across the continent with direct flights and seamless connectivity and enable multiple opportunities in business, trade, tourism, and socio-cultural linkages. We are open to bookings, and intending travellers can book through their travel agents, our ticketing offices, or online via the Uganda Airlines app and website,” Bamuturaki explained.

“These new routes mark the second phase of our network development and support our mission to offer affordable air travel for business and leisure. This expansion also sets the stage for future routes to Europe and Asia,” she added.

The launch of these new routes enhances intra-African travel, providing direct flights and seamless connections for business, trade, tourism, and cultural exchanges. Bookings are now open through travel agents, ticketing offices, or online via the Uganda Airlines app and website.

In September 2024, the national airline will celebrate five years since it began operations in August 2019, by officially launching these new routes. According to Bamuturaki, the decision to add these routes aims to build an efficient regional market, enhance aircraft utilization, and create a robust network that supports long-haul routes.

She further states that “This strategic expansion is part of the airline’s 10-year plan and aims to connect East, West, North, and South Africa.”

With these new routes, Uganda Airlines hopes to improve connectivity, increase flight frequencies, and boost revenue growth. The network expansion positions the airline for promising profitability.

Source:   The Observer.

Opening New Pathways: Ethiopian Airlines Commences New Service to Warsaw, Poland

Addis Ababa, 02 July 2024

Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest network operating carrier, is pleased to announce the commencement of its four times-weekly new flight services to Warsaw, the capital and largest city of the Republic of Poland, via Athens as of 01 July 2024. The flight departed from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport in a colorful ceremony attended by the Ambassador of Poland to Ethiopia, Ethiopia’s high ranking government officials and Ethiopian Airlines’ executives.

The new flight marks a significant milestone for Ethiopian Airlines’ network expansion in Europe, enhancing global connectivity and promoting commerce and tourism. The flight will continue operation according to the below schedule.

ET 764 Addis Ababa (ADD) – Athens (ATH) – Warsaw (WAW) Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun

ET 765 Warsaw (WAW) – Athens (ATH) – Addis Ababa (ADD) Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat

Regarding the commencement of the new route Mr. Mesfin Tasew, Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines Group said, “We are truly pleased to establish yet another connection between Africa and Central Europe with the flight that we have commenced today to Warsaw, Poland. We are committed to enhance our passengers’ convenience in traveling across the globe in a seamless connection, and we are proud to take our African Flavored Ethiopian Hospitality services further to Poland.”

With the launch of this new flight, Warsaw marks Ethiopian Airlines’ 24th destination in Europe. This milestone underscores our commitment to meeting the growing demand for travel between Africa and Europe, reinforcing our mission to connect people, cultures, and economies across regions. Our dedication to providing an exceptional customer experience has earned us multiple accolades, further solidifying our reputation in the industry.

Ethiopian remains committed to service excellence, claiming international accolades along the way. Recently, Ethiopian Airlines achieved remarkable success at the SKYTRAX World Airlines Award 2024, winning in four prestigious categories: Best Airline in Africa for seven consecutive years, Best Business Class in Africa for six consecutive years, Best Economy Class in Africa for six consecutive years, and Best Economy Class Onboard Catering in Africa. Additionally, Ethiopian was honored with ‘Best Entertainment’ and ‘Best Wi-Fi’ in Africa at the 2024 APEX Passenger Choice Awards.

Travelers can now book their flights with Ethiopian Airlines through its digital channels and at its ticket offices, ensuring convenient access to our award-winning services.

About Ethiopian

Ethiopian Airlines Group (Ethiopian) is one of the fastest-growing airlines brand globally and the continent’s largest airline brand. In its seventy-eight years of successful operations, Ethiopian has become one of the continent’s leading carriers, unrivalled in efficiency and operational success. Ethiopian commands the lion’s share of the African passenger and cargo network operating the youngest and most modern fleet to more than 150 domestic and international passenger and cargo destinations across five continents. Ethiopian’s fleet category consists of ultra-modern and environmentally friendly aircraft such as Boeing 737s, 777s, 787s, Airbus A350-900 and De Havilland Q400. 

Ethiopian is also pursuing multi-hub strategy through hubs in Lomé, Togo with ASKY, in Lilongwe, Malawi with Malawi Airlines and in Lusaka, Zambia with Zambia Airways. Having achieved its strategic plan (Vision 2025) ahead of time, Ethiopian is currently implementing a 15-year strategic plan Vision 2035 that will see it become one of the top 20 most competitive and leading aviation groups in the world. Ethiopian has been champion in various coveted awards including Skytrax’s ‘Best Airline in Africa Award’ for seven consecutive years among others. The airline has been a Star Alliance member since 2011 and has been registering more than threefold growth in the past 10 years.

For more at: www.ethiopianairlines.com     

Email: CorporateCommunication@ethiopianairlines.com 

Contact: (251-11)517-8913/8165/8907    

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