This is a roundup of product news and announcements for travel SYSTEMS in tourism and hospitality for December 2015.
Tuesday 22 December 2015:
Gulf Air overhauls web services
- The Bahrain-based carrier will work with Anixe for a new web booking engine system and will upgrade its online shopping technology through Vayant. The conbined platform is being positioned by the airline as a means of personalising its online presence to passengers.
Lexalytics targets airlines
- The provider of text-based evaluation software has extended its existing product for the aviation sector. The tool gives airlines and marketers the ability to analyse customer surveys (off and online) in order to pinpoint particular issues or noteworthy areas to capitalise on.
Hahn Air becomes
IATA strategic partner
- The distribution specialist joins 300 other tech providers and other organisations in a division of the regulator to promote standards and IT around the aviation industry.
Monday 21 December 2015:Travelport and Res2 woo Wow Air
- The pair's iPort departure control system will be used by the Icelandic low cost carrier to operate its kiosk, bag drop and web check-in facilities, as well as integrate the sale of ancillary products into the process. Wow Air flies to 23 destinations in Europe, Canada and the US.
APT and
Sabre cruise to new agreement
- The Australia-based cruise and touring specialist will use the Sabre Explore booking engine for its online-facing business. The system connects to 400 airlines and is targeted at Australasia-based travel agency and tour operators.
Friday 18 December 2015:Travelport releases new version of Smartpoint
- The latest edition of the desktop system will be available immediately to all Travelport-connected travel agencies. Features include new search tools for hotels, hotel billback tools using virtual account numbers, and the integration of SeatGuru cabin information service.
FlightStats speaks to
SoundHound- The voice technology provider will integrate real-time flight data into its system, known as Houndify. Customers of the Houndify platform will be able to ask for flight schedules and other details related to air traffic and airports.
Tuesday 15 December 2015:RouteHappy smiles with Kayak
- Users of the metasearch engine will now be able to filter airfare results based on factors other than price. Amenities and services include legroom, wifi, cabin type, aircraft and in-flight entertainment.
Monday 14 December 2015:Navitaire signs with VivaAerobus
- The Mexican low cost carrier will be using Navitaire's New Skies passenger reservation platform, alongside its GoNow departure service tools to help boost sales revenue. Nine-year-old VivaAerobus flies to 24 destinations in Mexico and the US.
Friday 11 December 2015:GrabTaxi finds a wallet
- GrabTaxi has signed a deal with telecoms giant Singtel which will enable users to pay for their ride using Singtel's mobile wallet via an integration with the GrabTaxi app. The tie-up covers customers of Singtel's AIS, Globe and Telkomsel brands in Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia respectively. GrabTaxi recently joined Rides Everywhere, the Lyft/Didi-backed global alliance of taxi app providers.
Thursday 10 December:KDS drinks Carlsberg
- The drink manufacturer has selected KDS and the Neo platform to handle its travel and expense management for employees. The company will initially overhaul its expense strategy before adding the travel management element to the partnership.
Aristel arises with
Guestline- Aristel Hotels, operator of four branded properties in the UK, has agreed to use a range of multi-property solutions from Guestline, including its property management system and channel manager tool.
MobiKwik trains sights on new client
- Indian mobile wallet MobiKwik has added the IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Company)'s Android app to its portfolio of travel clients. MobiKwik already accepts payments for users of Uber, OYO Rooms, Zomato and Cleartrip, among others.
Dolphin schools existing clients
- Dolphin Dynamics is now providing its selling platform to UK-based luxury agent Berkeley Travel and Ireland's Limerick Travel. Both firms are already users of Dolphin's back-office systems.
Tuesday 8 December 2015:Cathay Pacific overhauls payment system
- Working with Adyen, Cathay Pacific will introduce a new payment technology to support 250 methods around the world for its consumer-facing platforms. The Netherlands and US-based company already provides systems to the likes of Airbnb, Uber and Booking.com.
Thursday 3 December 2015:Amadeus claims record R&D position
- The company says it has invested Euro 3.5 billion in research and development since 2004 and Euro 568 million in 2014, a record according to the European Commission.
Kaligo has a plus with VISA
- Kaligo Business Plus is a new element to Kaligo so small and mdeium enterprises can earn and handle rewards as well as manage their expenses. The product will be made available initially to Citibank Singapore customers that use Visa commercial cards.
NB: Travel systems image via Shutterstock.