News Roundup: Tencent-YesMilano partnership to boost Milan tourism from China, Singapore Airlines’ new NDC aggregator, Amadeus NDC-enhanced booking platform, more flexibility flying with Cebu Pacific
Destination: Tencent, YesMilano collaborate in enticing more Chinese tourists to Milan
(Image credit: scaliger/ Getty Images)
Italy’s fashion capital Milan wants more Chinese tourists and YesMilano, the city’s official promotional agency, is helping to achieve this in partnership with China’s Internet giant Tencent Holdings (Tencent).
The collaboration, which aims to promote the Italian city as a “must-visit” European destination for Chinese travellers, takes off with launch of a WeChat official account alongside a mini programme.
The ‘YesMilano’ WeChat account makes it easy for Chinese tourists to discover the city’s numerous attractions such as Leonardo’s Last Supper, Duomo di Milano, Teatro Alla Scala and the luxury shopping district.
The WeChat Mini Programme, which will be launched by the end of the year, will allow visitors to craft their journey in the city discovering local shops and restaurants among other offerings.
YesMilano is also leveraging Tencent’s expertise in Chinese consumer engagement to have a wider view of consumption habits and preference, along with Milan’s connection to Beijing, Shanghai and Nanjing via direct flights in two of its airports.
The collaboration with Tencent complements Milan’s strong tourism growth, with Chinese visitors making up 36% of international tourists’ spend, according to Il Sole 24 Ore.
The city hosts numerous companies in the creative industries (fashion, furniture design), as well as 11 universities, and boasts of a thriving cultural and culinary scene. It will host the Winter Olympics in 2026.
Poshu Yeung, vice president of Tencent International Business Group (IBG), said the combination of Tencent’s technologies and YesMilano’s local influence cum network “will surely entice even more Chinese tourists to visit the culturally rich and spirited city, as the fashion capital of Italy gains more popularity among Chinese travellers.”
Giuseppe Sala, mayor of Milan, described the city as one “with 26 centuries of history projected into the future” and “aims to be remembered by Chinese visitors as the most Chinese-friendly city in Italy.”
Technology: “Lucy” gets on board Singapore Airlines as its new NDC aggregator
Global travel agency group Lufthansa City Center (LCC) and Israeli-based NDC provider Atriis Technologies have unveiled the pilot operation of the international New Distribution Capability (NDC) aggregator “Lucy” for Singapore Airlines (SIA) content.
SIA, which first ventured into NDC last year, continues to strengthen its commitment to the NDC game with this new partnership.
LCC’s Singapore-based agency, Citystate Ardent Travel, ran the pilot operation, making it the first South-east Asian agency to implement the Lucy NDC system.
Lucy is a NDC platform developed by Atriis Technologies and launched by LCC in June 2018 to create new distribution opportunities. The multi-provider platform leverages technology to integrate and consolidate data of traditional GDS providers such as Amadeus, Sabre and Travelport. The system has been rolled out to 40 LCC agencies since its launch.
Lucy, also available as a mobile and as a corporate booking engine, offers direct access to the content of dozens of travel providers, inclusive of hotel brands, mobility providers and global airlines. Its global marketplace functionality also allows agencies to purchase travel components from each other.
Distribution: Amadeus’ cloud-based booking platform is now NDC connected
(Image credit: junce/Getty Images)
Amadeus has launched the new NDC (New Distribution Capability)–enabled version of Selling Platform Connect that now allows travel sellers to shop, order, pay and service airline travel offers via an NDC connectivity.
Travel sellers can view and compare all available airline flights and related services for a trip on one single screen, whether they are sourced from EDIFACT, NDC or other APIs.
“It’s the first time travel sellers can access such a full range of air content all in one place, making it easier for them to compare offers and help their customers to find the best value,” said Amadeus in a statement.
They can also cancel or change flights booked via an NDC connectivity. Additionally “involuntary changes”, or changes made by airlines to existing bookings, will continue to be handled by the queue mechanism that travel agents are already familiar with.
According to Amadeus, these features and the new graphical interface were designed and tested in collaboration with its customers through the NDC [X] programme.
“Our objective is two-fold – by integrating NDC into Selling Platform Connect we’re enabling airlines to better differentiate their offers and drive adoption of their NDC content, while also helping travel sellers to continue to work in their preferred environment,” said Gianni Pisanello, VP of Amadeus NDC [X].
He added that the solution provides its network of travel sellers with new NDC sourced content alongside existing content all on one screen.
This version of the cloud-based selling platform is currently used by several partners in the NDC [X] programme, with gradual deployment over the coming months.
In September, Amadeus became dual-certified on NDC Level 4 after receiving certification as an NDC distributor from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). This followed on from Amadeus’ Level 4 NDC certification as an IT provider in May.
Airlines: More flexibility flying with Cebu Pacific
(Image credit: Cebu Pacific)
Customers of Philippines’ low-cost airline Cebu Pacific (CEB) now has the option to rebook flights up to two hours before departure for a minimal fee with a new add-on service.
The carrier said the new flight add-on, CEB Flexi, was developed based on feedback from customers, and was also part of its ongoing efforts to improve the overall customer experience for passengers.
Travellers can purchase this service during booking through the airline website or the mobile app.
“CEB Flexi is a great complement to year-round low fares as it provides the power and option to rebook flights should the need arise,” said Candice Iyog, CEB vice president for marketing and customer experience.
“We encourage passengers to book in advance to avail of great low fare deals, now we also provide the ability to change travel dates, giving peace of mind that the flights they booked won’t go to waste.”
According to the airline, CEB Flexi is 60% cheaper compared to current rebooking fees and travellers only have to pay the difference in fare (if applicable) on top of the CEB Flexi rate.
• Featured image credit (Milan’s Gothic Duomo di Milano cathedral): ventdusud/Getty Images
