Expedia launched its Korean language website coinciding with the company’s entrance into the South Korean travel market.

Expedia Asia CEO Dan Lynn (left) stated the company opened its Korean language website earlier this month, making the country its eighth operational base in the Asia Pacific region.

Lynn stated the company sees an opportunity in the market as there is no online travel agency offering a comprehensive set of travel products and services.

“Only 17% of Korean travellers booked online last year, significantly lower than in other countries. It means there is more room for growth in the online travel sector. Additionally, a growing number of free independent travelers (FITs) here who tend to book online presents us a great business opportunity,” the CEO said.

Travelocity adds Android

Travelocity launched its Android application, allowing customers to access daily deals, book flights and hotels, and discover destination information.

“Our customers continue to look to their mobile devices as a single place for flight and itinerary details, great travel deals and in-trip destination information. We’re excited to bring the Travelocity app to Android users.”
We’ve seen huge growth in Android bookings within the past year,” said Beth Murphy, Travelocity’s vice president of product marketing.

Along with being able to shop and book both flights and hotels directly, the Travelocity Android app gives customers the ability to:

* Access Travelocity itineraries
* Shop and book Top Secret Hotels – unpublished rates that are up to 55 percent off Travelocity’s regular rates for the same top hotels on the same day
* Shop daily deals for hotels
* Get up-to-the-minute information on flight status
* View seat maps
* Check out traffic and airport driving directions

In addition to these travel tools, the app offers travelers a variety of Frommer’s destination guides, with local information on popular events, activities, and restaurants.

Qantas closes travel centres as customers go online

Qantas will close all but one of its travel centres across Australia in response to changing purchasing patterns and demands of consumers (The Courier-Mail, 19-Jul-2011).

“Growth of e-tickets, online sales and servicing, changes in customer demographics and increased competition from other distribution channels, including retail travel agents, have all impacted on Qantas Travel revenues and workloads,” a Qantas spokesperson said. 

“This has been a difficult decision but the centres have not been profitable for some years and, in spite of a range of changes made, there is no prospect that they will be profitable.” 

The decision was made after a “comprehensive review” of its retail travel centre operations which will see just one centre remaining open in Gove, Northern Territory.

Thai International goes with Amadeus Altea

Thai Airways International and Amadeus, announced that THAI will revolutionise its passenger service system with the introduction of the Amadeus Altéa Customer Management Solution to manage its domestic and international reservations, inventory and departure control processes.

Piyasvasti Amranand, President of Thai Airways International said of the partnership, “THAI will use Amadeus’ advanced technology platform to drive a new standard of efficiency, profitability and seamless customer experience. THAI has made a series of moves towards becoming the leading airline in Asia and among the best worldwide. The Amadeus Altéa Suite will assist THAI in maximising our customer travel experience.”

The Amadeus Altéa Customer Management Solution supports individual airline requirements in a multi-carrier community environment, particularly beneficial to airlines that are members of a global alliance and need to share availability, fares, customer and booking information with partner airlines. This enables closer integration between partner airlines, delivering improved revenues and enabling a seamless customer experience across alliance members.

At the same time, THAI will also benefit from improved check-in processes and simplified tasks related to flight departures.

David Brett, President, Amadeus Asia said, “Our advanced technology solutions will enable THAI to remain at the forefront of change and continue to innovate in an increasingly competitive market.”

THAI’s migration to the Amadeus Altéa Customer Management Solution is expected by 2013.