THE Wrap is a round-up of news in the travel and technology industries, and an update on how businesses in these sectors are adapting and resetting as they prepare for post-pandemic travel.
New tool for travel trade to monitor Covid restrictions launched
B2B bedbank WebBeds has rolled out an interactive tool that allows its travel trade clients to access the latest Covid-19 travel restrictions.
Powered by Sherpa, provider of travel rules and documentation for the travel industry, the tool consolidates information from thousands of official data sources to display international travel restrictions for over 180 countries, and domestic travel restrictions for the US, UK, Canada and Australia.
WebBeds said the tool would help the travel trade advise travellers on origin/destination travel restrictions, quarantine and health documentation requirements.
When the user inputs the origin, destination (country, city, or airport) and departure date, the tool generates a comprehensive list of the inbound and outbound travel restrictions and requirements, as well as rules for quarantine, masks/PPE, testing, and health documents. This information also includes links to official sites for governments, regional authorities and health bodies.
The tool is available in English, French, German, Spanish and Arabic with Japanese, Korean and Simplified Chinese to be added in early July.
Clients of WebBeds can access the tool via its website, as well as via the trading platforms – Destinations of the World, FIT Ruums, Lots of Hotels, Sunhotels and totalstay.
Malaysia Airlines scales down operations, extends booking flexibility
With the imposition of Full Movement Control Order (total lockdown) throughout Malaysia, national carrier Malaysia Airlines has reduced services by 85% from June 1-14 when the first stage of FMCO is to end.
The airline, however, continues to facilitate essential domestic and international travels, as well as cargo movement.
Malaysia Airlines explained that due to travel restrictions it has extended its rebooking travel flexibility that offers customers longer ticket validity until December 31, 2022 with a one-time fare difference and service fee waiver.
Eligible customers can now rebook their travels on or before June 30, 2022 for travel to be completed by 31 December 2022. The carrier previously offered customers the flexibility to rebook their travels on or before June 30, 2021 for travel to be completed by 31 December 2021.
“The recent spike in Covid-19 cases in Malaysia has moved us to prioritise further the safety and health of our passengers and employees. With customers being the centre of gravity we hope the extended travel rebooking flexibility, regardless of the class fare, will provide the certainty and peace of mind that their tickets remain eligible for future travel with us,” said group chief executive officer of Malaysia Aviation Group, Captain Izham Ismail.
With the imposition of quarantine order for international arrivals to Malaysia the tour operating arm of Malaysia Airlines, MHholidays, is offering quarantine packages at hotels approved by Malaysia’s Ministry of Health. The minimum number of nights required for a quarantine stay is seven.
Plaza Premium Group, DragonPass partner to prepare for post-Covid travel
With the gradual restart of international travel Plaza Premium Group has joined forces with Dragon Pass International (DragonPass) to boost their hospitality offerings at airports globally.
The partnership aims to serve more businesses and travellers worldwide, increasing B2B2C (business-to-business-to-consumer) accessibility to travel services, said Plaza Premium Group in a statement.
The collaboration enables the clients of both companies, such as financial institutions and corporates, to offer their customers access to the Plaza Premium Lounges, the group’s flagship brand, and DragonPass’ global network of lounges.
Plaza Premium Lounges currently has over 196 own-branded and third-party-managed lounges worldwide, with projections to grow to over 500 in the next three years. DragonPass offers a network of 1,200 lounges worldwide.
Apart from lounges DragonPass and Plaza Premium Group are jointly offering end-to–end airport hospitality services that include airport dining, airport transit hotels (Aerotel), limousine & ground transportation, meet & assist, fast-track access,concierge services and baggage porterage.
Bora Isbulan, chief commercial officer of Plaza Premium Group, said the partnership was one of the company’s key initiatives in its global business transformation to reshape distribution dynamics in the evolving travel market.
“In the post Covid-19 era we will see greater demand for navigated airport services, assisting travellers through airport arrival with transfers and fast-track services, and greater demand for lounge and in-terminal hotel use as these services help travellers minimise interactions with others and alleviate stress.”
• Featured image credit: Fabio Principe/Getty Images
