SQ cracks down on Facebook
SINGAPORE, 2 September, 2010 – Singapore Airlines has directed its flight attendants to avoid discussing work-related matters on Facebook and other social networking websites, company officials said Thursday.
The image-conscious airline, which is consistently ranked by passengers as one of the world’s best, took action after some cabin crew were found to have discussed confidential job issues on Facebook.
CBS offers XML interface
July 12, 2010 by TTRweekly Staff
Filed under Trade Talk
BANGKOK, 12 July 2010 – CBS Travel Asia, a leading Destination Management Company based in Bangkok, announced last week that it has successfully installed an XML interface connection with the Sawasdee Hotel Group, a budget hotel group with 18 properties throughout Thailand.
The Bangkok based DMC has been pushing the XML interface option after it upgraded its trade wholesale website that links with wholesaling partners, worldwide.
SOTA partners with PayPal
April 22, 2010 by TTRweekly Staff
Filed under News
SOTA has announced collaboration with PayPal, to ease cross-border payments for travel agents using the SOTA platform.
SOTA – Standard Online Tourism Architecture – is a one-stop e-tourism platform for technology, marketing and innovation. It is already being used by over 16,000 travel operators. The SOTA platform was developed by Malaysia-based Creative Advances Technology, a leading provider of online tourism solutions.
Amadeus considers IPO
March 26, 2010 by TTRweekly Staff
Filed under News
Amadeus announced on Wednesday it will embark on a public offering on the Spanish Stock Exchange, later in the year, if market conditions are favourable.
It follows an attempt byits competitor, Travelport, to launch an IPO earlier this year, that was aborted at the last minute.
Amadeus intends to execute a primary offering of shares valued at Euro 910 million plus a secondary offering, all of which when combined would amount to at least 25% of the company’s overall stock.
It’s free but not really
March 10, 2010 by TTRweekly Staff
Filed under News
Creative Advances Technology, based in Kuala Lumpur, claims its Standard Online Tourism Architecture on display, at ITB Berlin, can simplify online business and quickly maximise earning opportunities particularly for independent travel agencies. It might be an offer too good to be true.
The company in a press release issued at ITB, yesterday, showcases the latest version of its software package SOTA XD (eXecutive Desktop) claiming it is offered free to travel agents. However, it is not really free. Agents pay US$100 to enrol and a US$1 referral fee to CAT on successful business transactions.
New search in WebStart
February 25, 2010 by TTRweekly Staff
Filed under News
Abacus International launched a new version of Abacus WebStart – a white label internet booking engine (IBE) tailored for the Asian region.
The latest version adds a new fare search and payment capabilities.
“Abacus is focused on delivering solutions designed to meet the complex needs of Asian markets. Abacus WebStart is already the most broadly deployed IBE in the region. It is a low cost, highly effective solution that helps our customers to capture new revenue opportunities in online channels.” said Abacus International, vice president, Marketing, Brett Henry.
11infotech promotes Smart Hotel Online
October 8, 2009 by Rapeepat Mantanarat
Filed under News, Trade Talk
11-Infotech, a software developer for the travel industry, will launch its newest product called, Smart Hotel Online, during ITB Asia in Singapore.
The company specialises in developing B2B and B2C solutions to enable travel agencies and hotels to establish an online sales presence.
The company’s CEO business development, Chartchai Pothong, intends to launch a suite of online solutions during ITB Asia, 21 to 23 October. He hopes to sell its products to other exhibitors and visiting travel company representatives at the show.
The launch will include an evening cocktail party hosted by Mr Chartchai, 22 October, at the Marina Mandarin Hotel, in Singapaore.
FBI warning on email hoax threat
October 7, 2009 by TTRweekly Staff
Filed under News
The US Federal Bureau of Investigation issued a warning, yesterday, concerning three new fraudulent e-mails all relating the bureau that are currently in circulation.
One claims to contain “Intelligence Bulletin No. 267;” another purports to be from the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI Counter Terrorism Division; and the third claims to contain an FBI intelligence bulletin from the Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate.
Online booking system calls time out
August 7, 2009 by TTRweekly Staff
Filed under News
A travel online booking engine, Asiativ, Group, has suspended operations, until it secures reinvestment, possibly by the end of September. The system is a member of one of the region’s largest inbound tour operators, Asia Online.
A message “under maintenance” appears on the front page of the Asiativ.com website and the contact telephone lines are out of services.
Using Google, it is still possible to view page content, but links to the home are inactive.
Fine tune your competitive edge
August 6, 2009 by TTRweekly Staff
Filed under News, Trade Talk
The Thai government is offering a series of free workshop on e-commerce for tourism business operators with the first round set for this weekend.
The Department of Business Development, in cooperation with Hotel Hub Company, Tourism Authority of Thailand, and Kasikorn Bank, is organising seminars and workshop on e- commerce for tourism companies to increase their competitiveness in a global marketplace.
The programme will have three distinct components, which will be completed in three separate sessions:
1. Lectures on the overall trends and profile of the online tourism business, 8 or 9 August;