In the news this week: Visa management solution from Amadeus, holidays with loyalty points, AirAsia’s 2Q14 financial results, Japan’s home to Asia’s best zoos and aquariums
Amadeus simplifies visa management for APAC travel agent
Amadeus has unveiled a new solution suite, which enables travel agents in Asia Pacific to easily manage visa and passport requirements for travellers.
Amadeus Visa Pass, as the solution is called, offers three complementary solutions that allow agents to handle travellers’ visa and passport needs across the entire booking process – from pre-booking to booking and post-booking.
- Pre-booking: For repeat customers travel agents are promptly alerted of travellers’ visa and passport expiry dates via email and queue messages.
- Booking: Once a booking has been made Amadeus Visa Pass will automatically check visa requirements according to traveller’s nationality and intended destination. The requirements will then be added into the Passenger Name Record (PNR) for easy tracking and reference by the agent.
- Post-booking: With the solution agents can easily create, track and update visa request applications through the visa tracking portal, and send progress notifications directly to the traveller.
Leon Herce, vice president, distribution commercial of Amadeus Asia-Pacific, said, “The travel potential in Asia Pacific is unmatched anywhere else in the world; however visa processing is often complicated. Our goal is to simplify the visa management process as much as possible for both the travel agency and the traveller. Amadeus Visa Pass completely changes the way travel agents can handle the visa process on behalf of their customers, which will undoubtedly remove some of the hassle commonly associated with visas in Asia Pacific.”
One in three travellers fund holidays with loyalty points
Image credit: InterContinental Hotels Group
A global study by IHG Rewards Club reveals one in three vacations are organised solely through loyalty programmes.
According to the new research released recently by InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), 62% of global travellers said that it felt like a dream come true when redeeming points from their loyalty programme all in one go. As a result, 65% of them are increasingly turning to loyalty programmes to help fund their holidays, with one in three (37%) even organising an entire holiday with points alone.
The study surveyed more than 10,000 of IHG Rewards Club members across 13 countries to reveal further insight into both the emotional and practical benefits. which members get from their loyalty programme.
Other key findings:
- 69% of the respondents felt that points were a reward in exchange for their loyalty.
- 49% said the personal welcome they received from IHG hotels was the top reason they choose to be part of IHG Rewards Club.
- Top choices for point redemptions include holiday accommodation (70%), hotel upgrades (32%), booking an extra week on an existing holiday (24%).
Susanna Freer-Epstein, IHG senior vice president customer loyalty marketing, said loyalty programmes play an important role in helping guests enjoy and get the most out of their holidays.
“But this research shows that there is an emotional attachment too, in helping dreams become a reality and ensuring, with IHG Rewards Club, that our members receive a special welcome whenever and wherever they travel with us,” she added.
As part of the global survey IHG Rewards Club has launched a digital hub, which showcases the experiences available to nearly 79 million members worldwide – from a cultural experience at some of the world’s most famous museums, to a special family celebration or a once in-a-lifetime relaxing spa experience. It includes reviews from members and global travellers from all around the world.
AirAsia carries 11.3 million passengers in 2Q14
Image credit: AirAsia
AirAsia, Asia’s leading low cost carrier, recorded an increase of 13% year-on-year (y-o-y) in the number of passengers carried at group level for the second quarter of 2014 (2Q14) to 11.3 million compared to 9.99 million in the same quarter of last year.
The group also recorded a solid load factor of 79%, with a 15% increase in capacity.
The group said in a statement that during the quarter under review, it took in an additional nine aircraft, bringing its total fleet size to 166 from 121 for the same period last year.
On the home front, Malaysia AirAsia (MAA) maintained its strong load factor of 80% in 2Q14, no change as compared to the same period last year. The number of passengers carried increased by 1% y-o-y to 5.6 million, in line with its 1% increase in capacity y-o-y.
MAA added eight aircraft to its fleet this quarter, bringing the total fleet size to 80 aircraft at the end of 2Q14.
In Thailand, Thai AirAsia (TAA) recorded a load factor of 78% this quarter, down 4% mainly due to the political instability that led to a slowdown in inbound tourists. Passengers carried increased 16% y-o-y to 2.8 million, with 23% increase in capacity y-o-y.
There was no aircraft addition into TAA’s fleet this quarter, but y-o-y it took in an additional eight aircraft, increasing the fleet size to 37 aircraft.
Indonesia AirAsia (IAA) also recorded a load factor of 78%, down 1% y-o-y. Total number of passengers carried grew by 3% y-o-y to 2 million, while capacity increased by 5% y-o-y. No aircraft was added into IAA this quarter, but y-o-y there was an additional six aircraft, increasing the fleet size to 30 aircraft.
Philippines AirAsia (PAA) fared better with a load factor of 77%, an increase of 3% from 74% recorded during the same period in 2013. The number of passengers carried saw a high growth of 560% y-o-y to 0.92 million. Growth in capacity was also high at 534%.
This quarter PAA took in a new aircraft, while y-o-y it received 17 additional aircraft due to the acquisition of Zest Air. The airline’s fleet now stands at 19 aircraft.
AirAsia Group 2Q14 operating statstics
Japan has the best zoos and aquariums in Asia
Image credit: TripAdvisor
Japan is home to the most winning zoos and aquariums in Asia reveals TripAdvisor in its 2014 Travellers’ Choice Zoos and Aquariums.
The Land of the Rising Sun shines with the most number of winning zoos and aquariums in the region – 10 of its zoos and 17 of its aquariums are featured in the top 25 Asia lists. Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan in Osaka was rated the top aquarium in Asia, with Asahiyama Zoo in Hokkaido coming in at seventh.
Singapore fared well too with the Singapore Zoo ranked the fifth best in the world and first in Asia. Resorts World Sentosa’s S.E.A. Aquarium also made it to the list of winning aquariums, ranking seventh in Asia.
In total, 275 winners were identified, including the top 25 in the world and dedicated lists for Asia, Canada, Europe, India, South America, South Pacific, the UK and the US.
Click here for the complete list of 2014 Travellers’ Choice Zoos, and here for the Aquariums
• Featured image (Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium) credit: TripAdvisor
