SITA works on ‘biggest innovation in the travel industry in at least a decade’
A time when airline passengers no longer need to show their physical passport when arriving in a country may not be too far away following a trial between SITA and the government of the Caribbean nation of Aruba.
SITA, which provides IT to the air transport industry, and partner Indicio, have successfully implemented Digital Travel Credentials that enable passengers to securely create a digital version of their physical passport on their mobile device in line with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards.
Following a series of trials, the government of Aruba hopes to permanently roll out digital identity to verify visitors arriving on the island, making it one of the first countries globally to do so.
Using a Digital Travel Credential, passengers can consent to share any of their relevant data directly from their digital wallet on their mobile device to multiple entities across journeys, from the government at the port of entry to other touchpoints such as hotels or car rental.
Speaking at a keynote discussion at the ICAO TRIP conference taking place in Montreal, Jeremy Springall, SVP of SITA AT BORDERS, said, “The development of Digital Travel Credentials represents the biggest innovation in the travel industry in at least a decade.
“It will fundamentally simplify how we travel, allowing governments to approve passengers ahead of travel so they arrive at the airport ready to fly. To be identified, all passengers need to do is scan their face.”
Trip.com ready to redefine the travel landscape
Trip.com CEO Jane Sun was looking both back and to the future of travel at the group’s Envision 2023 global partner conference this week.
She said Trip.com has strengthened its technological capabilities while, at the same time, implemented targeted strategies in various markets “with the aim of connecting our partners with our users”.
“These include our series of BOSS Live livestream sessions, enhancements to our global airfare capabilities, the launch of our AI travel assistant TripGenie, among others.”
Looking ahead, Sun said the company’s top leadership has delved into comprehensive ESG strategies as well as the industry’s approach to sustainability.
“In this revitalised travel industry, the opportunities ahead are immense. We’re poised to redefine the travel landscape with our cutting-edge tech innovations, expanding partnerships, and strong investor confidence,” she said.
“As we harness these opportunities, we envision a future where travel is not just thriving but is also greener and more responsible. The horizon is bright for our partners, investors, and travellers, and together, we’ll journey towards a sustainable and prosperous future in travel.”
There’s nothing artificial about these Phuket restaurants
TOP25Restaurants.com – which uses artificial intelligence (AI) to curate and recognise the finest dining establishments across the globe, has unveiled the top 25 restaurants in Phuket for 2023.
Hom restaurant took the island’s top position for fine dining. Helmed by chef Ricardo Nunes, hom prepares fermentation-inspired cuisine with ingredients sourced from around Phuket.
Hom was closely followed by L’Arôme by the Sea, the only French fine dining restaurant on the island where chef Yannick Hollenstein presents his interpretation of contemporary French cuisine.
The top two restaurants were followed in third place by Jampa, a farm-to-fork concept where dishes change daily. In fourth and fifth positions, Pru located in the Trisara resort, and Samut, serving fine Thai cuisine, focusing on local seafood.
Founded by Bernard Metzger, the TOP25 Restaurants Guide series, has been powered by the Travelindex-owned and patented “Restaurant Rating Index”.
The index evaluates various facets of dining establishments, including the quality of food, ambience and comfort, value for money, and social indicators such as online presence, social markers, online footprint, media engagement, and review content analysis by AI.
The TOP25 Restaurants Phuket 2023
Ranked by the Restaurant Rating Index ( phuket.top25restaurants.com )
1. hom, fermentation Based
2. L’Arôme by the Sea, Modern French
3. JAMPA, Sustainable Cuisine
4. PRU, Natural Thai
5. Samut, Modern Thai
6. Nitan, Innovative Thai
7. Suay, Northeastern Thai
8. Black Ginger, Modern Thai
9. Jaras, Modern Thai
10. Acqua, Italian Fine Dining
11. HEH, Contemporary Australian
12. Tengoku, Japanese
13. Takieng, Authentic Thai
14. Ta Khai, Thai Seafood
15. Saffron, Classic Thai
16. Age, Classic Grill
17. Semi di Tsubu, Itameshi
18. Blue Elephant Phuket, Royal Thai Cuisine
19. Bon Pan-Asian Tapas, Pan-Asian Tapas
20. Siam Supper Club, Steakhouse
21. Akoya, Coastal Tapas
22. Baan Rim Pa, Royal Thai Cuisine
23. Talung Thai, Modern Thai
24. Su Va Na, Marine Dining
25. Big Fish, Seafood
In addition to Phuket, Travelindex also publishes TOP25 Restaurants Guides in Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Delhi.
EU travel authorisation scheme still in the slow lane
After years of delays and no firm start date, travel advisors and tour operators are taking a measured approach to the EU’s upcoming European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS).
ETIAS, which consumer media often erroneously call a visa, is actually a travel authorization. Obtained via an online application that costs around US$8, it screens travellers for potential security or migration risks. The EU says the system will launch “sometime in 2024,” and approval will be valid for three years.
It will apply to those between the ages of 18 and 70 traveling in the 26 countries of Europe’s Schengen Area, which includes France, Italy, Germany and Spain, but not Ireland or Cyprus. The U.K. is implementing its own programme for visa-free visitors called the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), which will cost about US$12 and be valid for two years.
It is unclear when ETIAS will open for applications. Adopted in 2018, it was originally to take effect in 2021. The EU now says it will start in 2024, but many in the travel industry say that would be its earliest implementation date.
The EU says the ETIAS application process will take about 10 minutes and in more than 95% of cases will result in a “positive answer” within minutes.
It stressed that no “visa-like obligations” will be required, such as visiting a consulate or providing biometric data. Approvals are linked to passenger profiles, and no paperwork needs to be presented to border authorities.
Once ETIAS does goes into effect, the EU has suggested people apply up to three months before traveling.
Source: Travel Weekly USA / Joanna Jainchill / Brianna Glenn
