In the news: GOASEAN launched, Ingresso app plugin for Travelport, TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Landmarks
M’sian PM calls for promotion of Asean as a single tourist destination
Plain of Jars in Laos is a unique and much-visited tourist atttraction. (Image credit: vidalidaliiStock)
The 10 Asean countries should make a collective effort to promote the region as a single tourist destination, is the clarion call by Malaysian prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak at the launch of GOASEAN in Kuala Lumpur on June 2.
He added that the benefits in showing the region goes beyond tourism. “The potential knock-on effects are substantial especially when we consider that foreign direct investment in Asean has outstripped even China in recent years.”
GOASEAN is an Asean-focused travel initiative to promote the region as a single tourism destination, featuring key areas such as community-based tourism, culture, heritage, entertainment and business.
As the Chair of Asean this year Malaysia is spearheading the GOASEAN initiative to promote travel and spur economic growth within the region. It announced the initiative on January 27 at the Asean Tourism Forum in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar.
GOASEAN is presented as a 24-hour multi-platform travel channel, touted as the first in the world, focusing on the region. It is produced with the help of the 10 Asean members namely Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
The channel is broadcast on Malaysia’s satellite network, Astro, and highlights popular destinations, shopping, sports, music, festivals and food in each of the Asean country. It also includes a website, where travellers can book flights, hotels and tours throughout the region.
“This is a fine example of all that can be achieved when the members of Asean work together,” said Najib.
He revealed Asean is expected to generate a combined gross domestic product of US$3 trillion by 2017, thus providing real opportunity to boost the region’s travel industry and promote intra-Asean tourism.
Malaysia tourism and culture minister, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, said in an earlier statement that “by providing multiple platforms to showcase the region’s strength and diversity, as well as our social, economic and infrastructural advances, GOASEAN will be the blueprint for adventurous souls and business-driven to put Asean on the top of their list.”
More entertainment offerings on Travelport’s platform with Ingresso plugin
New plugin boosts entertainment offerings on Travelport platform. (Image credit: jeancliclac/iStock)
Travelport-connected agencies are now able to book thousands of entertainment products made possible by a new plugin accessible via the Travelport Smartpoint platform.
The Ingresso Entertainment Tickets plugin, developed by the Ingresso Group, provides agents with a simple way to earn new commissions by adding theatres, attractions, and sightseeing products worldwide to the travel bookings.
Agents can find and sell tickets to customers in just three steps, and it is free to download from Travelport Marketplace.
The plugin also enables agents to use eNett virtual credit cards, which are more efficient and secure as well as less open to fraud.
Other key features of the plugin include:
- Agents can set their own pricing and commission levels with immediate payment, no invoicing required.
- Best ticket prices across a wide selection of international events
- The ability to search by airport code or general terms such as ‘New York tours’
- Immediate email confirmation with no need to wait for third party bookings
- Details of purchased tickets are fully integrated into passenger name records (PNRs) and back-office systems.
Pieter van der Voort, director partnership and alliances at Travelport, said: “The plugin offers a real cross-sell opportunity and agents can set the price and choose the commission they charge in order to boost revenue. This latest announcement is part of Travelport’s strategy to invest in developing new technologies and ideas, all on an open platform that delivers expansive content and improves customer service.”
Angkor Wat is world’s top landmark
The spectacular Angkor Wat. (Image credit: TripAdvisor)
Another poll from TripAdvisor, this time a list of world’s most popular landmarks.
The Travellers’ Choice Landmarks this year honour more than 700 landmarks worldwide including lists for Asia, Africa, Caribbean, Europe, South America, the South Pacific, the U.K., and the U.S.
Angkor Wat in Cambodia topped the world list, followed by Machu Picchu in Peru and India’s Taj Mahal.
Southeast Asia made up six of the top 10 spots on the Asia list.
Travellers’ Choice Landmarks also honour the top 10 landmarks in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore, with Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho), Petronas Twin Towers, Borobudur Temple and the Singapore Flyer ranked top landmark in each country respectively.
The annual awards are based on the millions of reviews and opinions from TripAdvisor travellers across the globe. Award winners were determined using an algorithm that took into account the quantity and quality of reviews for landmarks worldwide, gathered over a 12-month period.
The Top 10 in the World list:
- Angkor Wat – Siem Reap, Cambodia
- Machu Picchu – Machu Picchu, Peru
- Taj Mahal – Agra, India
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center – Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Basilica of the Sagrada Familia – Barcelona, Spain
- St. Peter’s Basilica – Vatican City, Italy
- Milan Cathedral (Duomo) – Milan, Italy
- Alcatraz – San Francisco, California
- Corcovado – Cristo Redentor – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Golden Gate Bridge – San Francisco, California
The complete list of winners from the 2015 Travellers’ Choice Landmarks here.
