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.
Tripadvisor unveils new app, rolls out digital campaign as travel rebounds
Tripadvisor has launched a refreshed mobile app for iOS and Android users in time for the travel rebound happening across the globe.
The new app gives users access to travel guidance and tips including traveller reviews and recommended places; book all their travel plans in one place from over 400,000 experiences and 2.3 million accommodations worldwide; and use the trip planning tool to save and organise traveller-recommended places that can be viewed on a map.
The app also has the latest Covid-19 health and safety information for hotels, restaurants, tours and attractions. Additionally, it acts a guide for other travellers as users can submit travel and dining reviews, photos of places visited and post travel-related questions in the Tripadvisor forums.
The app launch coincided with the rollout of a new digital campaign by TripAdvisor, reminding travellers that “vacations miss you” and to get ready to travel again.
Developed in partners with Stink Studios the campaign features 15- and 30-second digital videos on the platform social media channels and website that shows travellers aren’t the only ones who miss vacations — their suitcases do, too. (See video here)
“We took this past year to refresh our native app to better surface timely and relevant guidance and tips from travellers who have been there before,” said Lindsay Nelson, chief experience and brand officer, Tripadvisor.
“Providing more personalised inspiration for consumers, whether they’re already at their destination looking for a hidden gem nearby or planning ahead, is exactly how we’re helping everyone become better travellers.”
The new Tripadvisor app is available for download in the Apple App Store and Google Play.
Travelport and Emirates ink deal on surcharge waiver, NDC distribution
Travelport-connected travel agencies will not have to pay the new Emirates surcharge of US$14-US$25 on bookings via GDS (global distribution system) in a new commercial agreement the two companies sealed on July 1
The deal was on the same day (July 1) that the GDS agreement between Emirates and Sabre expired. As both parties have failed to reach a new GDS agreement the airline’s content (tickets, ancillaries) are no longer available in Sabre.
Travelport said in a statement its agent partners have been automatically upgraded to a dedicated channel that provides access to Emirates content surcharge free.
“These agencies will also continue to benefit from a graphically rich experience when searching for and booking Emirates branded fares, as well as greater access to its ancillary offers, thanks to a long-term extension of the airline’s existing agreement to use Travelport’s Rich Content and Branding merchandising tool,” it added.
The new collaboration also enables the agencies to gain simplified access to Emirates’ NDC content and services, via Travelport Smartpoint and the company’s enhanced RESTful/JSON APIs, once the agencies sign new NDC-specific agreements with both companies.
The two companies also announced a new long-term agreement, which will see Emirates selling its NDC content (tickets, ancillary products) through the Travelport+ platform launched in April to replace its three GDSs – Galileo, Apollo and Worldspan.
As part of the extension to its IT agreement with Emirates, Travelport will continue to provide Emirates with pricing, shopping and ticket rebooking to support the airline in the delivery of its shopping and rebooking options within Emirates.com and its NDC channel.
Qatar Airways integrates vaccination certificate with iATA Travel Pass
Qatar Airways has expanded the trial of the IATA Travel Pass to include vaccination certificates.
Announcing this initiative in a statement, the carrier said it is the “first airline in the world” to include Covid vaccine information into the mobile app and trial vaccine authentication
The expanded trial is being rolled out in phases from July, beginning initially with cabin crew returning to Doha travelling from Kuwait, London, Los Angeles, New York, Paris and Sydney.
Cabin crew can upload their Covid-19 vaccination credentials along with their Covid test results to the mobile app, which verify if they are eligible to travel. On arrival in Doha, the crew can then securely share their vaccination certificate and proceed through immigration at the airport.
Qatar Airways group chief executive Akbar Al Baker said: “Despite the significant challenges the pandemic has caused international aviation, our industry has continued to be a leader in adopting new technologies and innovations to ensure a safe, secure and seamless travel experience for our passengers.
“We know as more people begin making plans to return to their favourite holiday destinations they will inevitably face the challenge of ensuring they have the right paperwork. Through trialling and supporting the development of new technologies we aim to provide travellers with a tool that will support them to seamlessly travel across borders with greater confidence.”
Added Willie Walsh, IATA director general: “Trials by Qatar Airways and some 70 other airlines have demonstrated that IATA Travel Pass can efficiently manage test results. This important new trial focusing on vaccination status will build even more confidence in the IATA Travel Pass as a complete solution for travellers, governments and airlines.”
• Featured image credit: Creativebird/Getty Images
