Travel Trends

Web Shift Tips Balance in Favour of Stella-Jetset Merger

Martin Kelly — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 03:05:57 +0000

You know traditional agents are in trouble when the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission effectively approves the mega agency merger between Stella Travel Services and Jetset on the basis that it won't impact competition because everyone's heading online anyway. "The internet has dramatically affected the way competition works in the travel industry as more and more customers look online for the best deals," ACCC chairman Graeme Samuel said. "As a result, not only are traditional bricks and mortar agents forced to compete harder on price and service to attract customers, but airlines, hotels and tour companies have new ways of reaching those customers. In that context, the Jetset-Stella merger is unlikely to substantially lessen competition".

Hotelscombined.com – TRAVELtech Website of the Year

Martin Kelly — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 01:16:02 +0000

Hotelscombined.com has beaten a strong field to win TRAVELtech Website of the Year, announced yesterday at another very successful TRAVELtech conference, attended by 260 of Australia’s online travel industry leaders.

There were also nine category winners in the TRAVELtech Web Awards: Webjet, Jetstar, Habitathq, Lonely Planet, Wicked Campers, P&O, Contiki, World Nomads (and of course Hotelscombined.com) – details below.

The TRAVELtech Web Awards, sponsored by Amadeus and also Tourism Technology, were judged on the following criteria … Innovation, Design and Usability, Meeting the Brief, Speed and Build, Content.

Hotelscombined.com is a Sydney-based hotel search engine operating in the global online marketplace.

Deceptively simple but supported by excellent technology, it finds and attractively presents deals from many of the world’s leading websites in seconds, seamlessly incorporating modern essentials like user reviews and maps.

As one of the three judges commented: “Outstanding, quick to the point, no hoo ha in the way of getting deals… Elegant clean design to aid search.”

BEST AIRLINE WEBSITE – http://www.jetstar.com.au
BEST HOTEL OPERATOR WEBSITE – http://www.habitathq.com.au
BEST ACCOMMODATION WEBSITE – http://www.hotelscombined.com/
BEST TRAVEL AGENT WEBSITE – http://www.Webjet.com.au/
BEST TRAVEL DESTINATION WEBSITE – http://www.Lonelyplanet.com/
BEST CAR/CAMPER HIRE WEBSITE – http://www.wickedcampers.com.au/
BEST TOUR OPERATOR WHOLESALER WEBSITE – http://www.contiki.com.au/
BEST NICHE WEBSITE – http://www.worldnomads.com/
BEST CRUISE WEBSITE – http://www.pocruises.com.au

Founded in 1999, TRAVELtech is Australia's leading online travel marketing, website, distribution and technology event.

Wotif.com – When 22% Profit Growth Isn't Enough

Martin Kelly — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 05:15:55 +0000

Wotif.com execs must be scratching their heads. The company's shares fell more than 6% today after the online travel retailer posted a 22% increase in profit to $53m, marginally down on last year's 26% boost. Webjet shares also slumped 5% in a clear re-rating of the online travel sector. Wotif.com sold 7.12m rooms during the financial year, turning over $1.09bn. It is now claiming more than 10% of all Australian accommodation sales. Wotif.com shares – now trading at $4.60 – have fallen more than 50% since April when they hit a high of $8.08. But nothing has changed. Maybe that's the issue.

Bookings Strong For Traveltech

Martin Kelly — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 03:06:34 +0000

Bookings are strong for TRAVELtech with a crowd of 250 expected at Australia's leading online travel marketing, website, distribution and tech event next Tuesday, August 31. Great networking is guaranteed with delegates coming from all over Australia and New Zealand. There's still space available but you'd better get in quick. Check out some of the the delegates below.

Joint CEO, Occupancy.com

Business Development Director, Tourplan

Director, DriveNow.com.au

Manager Travel Agent Distribution APAC, Expedia

Marketing Communications Manager, Sabre Pacific

National Account Manager, Sabre Pacific

Director, Crazy Flights

Travel Technology Specialist, Chase Business Consulting

Group Manager Online Marketing, Tourism Victoria

Editor, Travel Daily

National Business Development Manager, Mondial Assistance

Director, Accommodation Guru

Editor, Travel Today

eCommerce Co-Ordinator, The Lido Group

Managing Editor, HM Magazine

General Manager, Sensis Digital

Manager Online Sales, Sabre Pacific

Business Development Manager, Mondial Assistance

Manager Products, Sabre Pacific

BDM Corporate, Sabre Pacific

Managing Director, Siteminder

Editor, The Boot

Digital Strategist, Bullseye

Deputy Editor, Travel Today

Managing Director, Nextec Strategic Capital

Chief Executive Officer, Imagine Pty Ltd

Manager, Strategic Insights, Tourism NSW

Chief Executive Officer, Perisher Ski Resort

Marketing Manager, Cruise Office

Consulting Editor, Travel Weekly

National Corporate Product Manager, Travelscene

Regional Sales Manager, GTA

Marketing Manager, Concierge Travel Group

Managing Director, Jetabroad

GM Sales and Marketing, GTA

Executive Director – Marketing, Gold Coast Tourism

Global Industry Sales Manager, Intrepid Travel

Sales and Customer Service Consultant, Hotel.com.au

Manager Web Development, Marketing and Promotions, JTB

Head of Marketing, LateRooms

Group Director International Sales & Marketing, Staywell Hospitality

Head of Sales, Total Travel Yahoo!7

Corporate Development Executive, Travelport

Online Manager – Trade, Tourism New Zealand

Distribution and Yield Manager, Staywell Hospitality

Digital Marketing Executive, Flight Centre

Chief Executive Officer, Panedia

Manager Marketing Development, Territory Discoveries

Head of Total Travel, Yahoo!7

Marketing Executive, AAT Kings

Hotel Performance & Asset Management, Kcom

Editor, Project: Wander

Technology Director, e-Channel

Advertising and Marketing Executive, Territory Discoveries

Tourism Lecturer, TAFESA

Digital Marketing Manager, Accor Australia

General Manager Technology & eCommerce, Atlantic Pacific American Express

Business Development Manager Tourism Australia

General Manager New Zealand Tourism Guide

Travel Industry Manager Avis Australia

Marketing Manager Sydney Lodges

Director Chimu Adventures

CEO Travel Distribution Systems

Managing Director Best Flights.com.au

Manager – Travel Insurance ACE Insurance

General Manager Cruise1st

Market Manager Travelocity

Digital Development & Marketing Manager Tourism Ireland

Managing Director Australia One

Marketing Manager Wego.com

National Agency Sales Manager Avis Australia

Vice President Accor

Business Development Manager Tourism Australia

Managing Director Excite Holidays

Communications & Marketing Manager Australian Tourism Data Warehouse

Manager eCommerce House of Travel

Founder & Managing Director falafelbus.com & holylandbus.com

Director Strategy & Operational Performance Tourism Tasmania

Interactive Manager Best Flights.com.au

Sales Executive – International Toga Hospitality

Manager Australia & NZ Sultanate of Oman Tourism

CEO Southern Travel Holdings

Business Development Manager e-channel

Owner I Want That Flight

CEO Toga Hospitality

Head of Strategy & Online Marketing HotelsCombined.com

Director of Sales E-commerce Aust Accor Hospitality

Business Head Ezeego1

General Manager EM Communications

National Sales Coordinator Hamilton Island

Business Development Manager Fairfax Digital

Online Marketing Manager Toga Hospitality

General Manager Bunnik Tours

Switched on Media

Marketing Manager Fairfax Digital

Sales & Marketing Manager Broome & The Kimberley Holidays

Product Manager Stayz.com.au

Managing Director BridgeClimb

Assoc Prof, Hotel & Resort Management Bond University

Revenue Manager QLD/WA/NZ The Oaks Hotels and Resorts

MD Booking.com

Project Manager APT

CEO YHA Australia

Commercial Director Switched on Media

General Manager Flight Centre

Marketing Manager YHA Australia

Director Friendlyfly

Director of Sales Toga Hospitality

Director of Business Development HotelsCombined.com

Product Marketing Manager WorldNomads.com

Product Manager Stayz.com.au

General Manager Sales Hamilton Island

Marketing Director, Retail Travel Pinpont Travel Group

Travel Tecnology Specialist Pinpont Travel Group

General Manager Zuji

Marketing Communications & Strategy Manager Qantas Holidays

Director MediaMax Marketing

GM Sales & Marketing The Oaks Hotels and Resorts

National Campaign Manager Bunnik Tours

Digital Strategy Coordinator Spirit of Tasmania

Leisure Sales Manager Hamilton Island

Category Specialist Fairfax Digital

Executive Director TraveltheWorld

General Manager WorldNomads.com

Manager Online Brands Qantas Holidays

CEO Tramada Systems

Online Marketing Manager Hamilton Island

CEO Tourism Holdings

Marketing Manager Port Stephens Tourism

Director of Marketing Toga Hospitality

Industry Head-Online Travel Google Australia

Director Cruise Factory

CEO Cox & Kings Australia

Director of Marketing AAPC Australia

GM Strategy The Walshe Group

Director of Marketing & Commercial Operations Tourism Tasmania

Director Visitor Dynamics

Chief Programmer Globenet Travel

General Manager Globenet Travel

Sales Manager Tourism Holdings Ltd

Director Itours Australia

Managing Director Co-Investor Capital Partners

Director Cruise Factory

Divisional Manager Sales & Marketing BridgeClimb

Revenue Manager The Oaks Hotels and Resorts

Ecommerce Manager Apollo Motorhomes

Assistant Online Marketing Manager AAPC Australia

Head of Distribution Tourism Tasmania

GM Operations webjet.com.au

Director-ecommerce,supply & events The Lido Group

Managing Director Broome & The Kimberley Holidays

National Account Manager Travelport

Account Director Reactive

Innovationist Google Australia

Managing Director Pacific Travelport

President HotelClub

Chief Information Officer Stella Travel Services

Director SEO.com

CEO AOT Travel

Director – Digital Marketing Tourism Queensland

Founder Travellr.com

President & CEO Orbitz

Director of Analytics Nielsen Online

Director Travel Trends

co-Founder Brokepacker.com

Research Director Experian Hitwise Asia Pacific

Managing Director Expedia Asia Pacific

CEO Yahoo!7

Founder TheFanatics.com

GM Global Sales & Marketing Intrepid Travel

CEO TravelTainment, Amadeus Leisure Group

Senior Account Manager Google Australia

iNeedaHoliday.com.au

Media & Communications Manager ATEC

Marketing Manager Creative Holidays

Digital Marketing Manager APT

COO Vroom Vroom Vroom

Director Vroom Vroom Vroom

Digital Marketing Executive Contiki Holidays

Director About Tourism

GM Marketing APT Touring

Director Travel Strategy

Account Manager Google Australia

Digital Marketing Manager Delaware North Australia Parks & Resorts

CEO Jasons Travel Media

Marketing Manager APT

Director Austrian National Tourist Office

National Marketing & Web Manager World Expeditions

Marketing Executive Creative Holidays

Matketing Manager AAT Kings

Dgital Marketing Manager Travel Corporation

Web Operations Manager Jasons Travel Media

Manager Information Services APT Touring

Marketing Manager Trafalgar Tours

Marketing Manager Insight Vacations

Advertising & Marketing Manager Travel Corporation

National Events & Sponsorship Manager ATEC

Business Development Manager, Tourism Australia

General Manager, New Zealand Tourism Guide

Travel Industry Manager, Avis Australia

Marketing Manager, Sydney Lodges

Director, Chimu Adventures

CEO, Travel Distribution Systems

Managing Director, Best Flights.com.au

Manager – Travel Insurance, ACE Insurance

General Manager, Cruise1st

Market Manager, Travelocity

Digital Development & Marketing Manager, Tourism Ireland

Managing Director, Australia One

Marketing Manager, Wego.com

National Agency Sales Manager, Avis Australia

Vice President, Accor Australia

Managing Director, Excite Holidays

Communications & Marketing Manager, Australian Tourism Data Warehouse

Manager eCommerce, House of Travel

Founder & Managing Director, falafelbus.com & holylandbus.com

Director Strategy & Operational Performance, Tourism Tasmania

Interactive Manager, Best Flights.com.au

Sales Executive – International, Toga Hospitality

Manager Australia & NZ, Sultanate of Oman Tourism

CEO, Southern Travel Holdings

Business Development Manager, e-channel

Owner, I Want That Flight

CEO, Toga Hospitality

Head of Strategy & Online Marketing, HotelsCombined.com

Director of Sales eCommerce Australia, Accor Hospitality

Business Head, Ezeego1

General Manager, EM Communications

National Sales Co-Ordinator, Hamilton Island

Business Development Manager, Fairfax Digital

Online Marketing Manager, Toga Hospitality

General Manager, Bunnik Tours

Director, Switched on Media

Marketing Manager, Fairfax Digital

Sales & Marketing Manager, Broome & The Kimberley Holidays

Product Manager, Stayz.com.au

Managing Director, BridgeClimb

Assoc Prof, Hotel & Resort Management, Bond University

Revenue Manager QLD/WA/NZ, The Oaks Hotels and Resorts

Managing Director, Booking.com

Project Manager, Australian Pacific Touring

Chief Executive Officer, YHA Australia

Commercial Director, Switched on Media

General Manager, Flight Centre

Marketing Manager, YHA Australia

Director, Friendlyfly

Director of Sales, Toga Hospitality

Director of Business Development, HotelsCombined.com

Product Marketing Manager, WorldNomads.com

Product Manager, Stayz.com.au

General Manager Sales, Hamilton Island

Marketing Director, Retail Travel Pinpont Travel Group

Travel Tecnology Specialist, Pinpont Travel Group

General Manager, Zuji

Marketing Communications & Strategy Manager, Qantas Holidays

Director, MediaMax Marketing

GM Sales & Marketing, The Oaks Hotels and Resorts

National Campaign Manager, Bunnik Tours

Digital Strategy Co-Ordinator, Spirit of Tasmania

Leisure Sales Manager, Hamilton Island

Category Specialist, Fairfax Digital

Executive Director, TraveltheWorld

General Manager, WorldNomads.com

Manager Online Brands, Qantas Holidays

Chief Executive Officer, Tramada Systems

Online Marketing Manager, Hamilton Island

Chief Executive Officer, Tourism Holdings

Marketing Manager, Port Stephens Tourism

Director of Marketing, Toga Hospitality

Industry Head-Online Travel, Google Australia

Director, Cruise Factory

Chief Executive Officer, Cox & Kings Australia

Director of Marketing, AAPC Australia

General Manager Strategy, The Walshe Group

Director of Marketing & Commercial Operations, Tourism Tasmania

Director, Visitor Dynamics

Chief Programmer, Globenet Travel

General Manager, Globenet Travel

Sales Manager, Tourism Holdings Ltd

Director, Itours Australia

Managing Director, Co-Investor Capital Partners

C0-Director, Cruise Factory

Divisional Manager Sales & Marketing, BridgeClimb

Revenue Manager, The Oaks Hotels and Resorts

eCommerce Manager, Apollo Motorhomes

Assistant Online Marketing Manager, AAPC Australia

Head of Distribution, Tourism Tasmania

General Manager – Operations, Webjet.com.au

Director – eCommerce, Supply & Events, The Lido Group

Managing Director, Broome & The Kimberley Holidays

National Account Manager, Travelport

Account Director, Reactive

Innovationist, Google Australia

Managing Director – Pacific, Travelport

President, HotelClub

Chief Information Officer, Stella Travel Services

Director, SEO.com.au

Chief Executive Officer, AOT Travel

Director – Digital Marketing, Tourism Queensland

Founder, Travellr.com

President & CEO, Orbitz

Director of Analytics, Nielsen Online

Co-Founder, Brokepacker.com

Research Director, Experian Hitwise Asia Pacific

Managing Director, Expedia Asia Pacific

Chief Executive Officer, Yahoo!7

Founder, TheFanatics.com

GM Global Sales & Marketing, Intrepid Travel

CEO, TravelTainment, Amadeus Leisure Group

Senior Account Manager, Google Australia

Marketing Manager, iNeedaHoliday.com.au

Media & Communications Manager, ATEC

Marketing Manager, Creative Holidays

Digital Marketing Manager, Australian Pacific Touring

Chief Operating Officer, Vroom Vroom Vroom

Director, Vroom Vroom Vroom

Digital Marketing Executive, Contiki Holidays

Director, About Tourism

General Manager, Australian Pacific Touring

Director, Travel Strategy

Account Manager, Google Australia

Digital Marketing Manager, Delaware North Australia Parks & Resorts

Chief Executive Officer, Jasons Travel Media

Marketing Manager, Australian Pacific Touring

Director, Austrian National Tourist Office

National Marketing & Web Manager, World Expeditions

Marketing Executive, Creative Holidays

Matketing Manager, AAT Kings

Digital Marketing Manager, Travel Corporation

Web Operations Manager, Jasons Travel Media

Manager Information Services, Australian Pacific Touring

Marketing Manager, Trafalgar Tours

Marketing Manager, Insight Vacations

Advertising & Marketing Manager, Travel Corporation

National Events & Sponsorship Manager, ATEC

Travelport

Martin Kelly — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 06:21:06 +0000

Travelport is the business services provider to the global travel industry and is well known in this region for its Galileo GDS, related productivity tools and its mid/back-office solution, CrossCheck Travel Enterprise.

Travelport recently developed its Universal API (uAPI), the global distribution system (GDS) industry’s first truly universal API, providing access to a world of content and functionality through a single API connection.

It’s designed to run alongside existing API solutions, with efficient and low-risk implementation and has the ability to aggregate content from multiple sources such as GDS, low-cost carrier and merchandising content.

Whether you’re a third-party developer, an OTA, travel agent or consolidator, who is looking to build travel related applications for deployment on the Web, Desktop or Mobile, Travelport’s Universal API brings many benefits including efficiency gains, a streamlining of the travel supply chain, reduction of software development costs and improvement in time to market.

Rich and comprehensive travel content is provided via the uAPI through Travelport’s GDS platforms and content hub infrastructure, delivering a deeper, more complete range of travel content, leading to cross-sell and up-sell opportunities, improving customer satisfaction and revenue.

www.travelport.com/au

Tourism Technology

Martin Kelly — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 06:07:56 +0000

Tourism Technology is the developer and owner of the Calypso Travel System – the standard and leading solution for mid to large independent, state government and airline travel wholesalers and tour operators.

With a range of enhanced online supply and distribution products and services, including direct supplier XML connectivity, trade and direct consumer online booking engines Calypso provides world leading travel wholesaler customers with a powerful, progressive and cost-effective wholesale travel management solution.

The team at Tourism Technology are a unique combination of travel and IT professionals, dedicated to ensuring Calypso retains its functional richness and technical excellence.

The company currently employs 60 people, of which half are programming staff dedicated to full-time development of the Calypso Travel System. Tourism Technology has a general policy of employing full-time IT professionals with varying backgrounds and levels of experience which includes recent graduates through its graduate recruitment program.

Now in its 19^th year of business Tourism Technology continues to provide a functionally enhanced and innovative wholesale travel management system to a strong base of customers.

For more information on the Calypso Travel System and Tourism Technology visit www.tt.com.au

Amadeus IT

Martin Kelly — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 05:46:30 +0000

Amadeus is a leading transaction processor for the global travel and tourism industry, providing transaction processing power and technology solutions to both travel providers (including full service carriers and low-cost airlines, hotels, rail operators, cruise and ferry operators, car rental companies and tour operators) and travel agencies (both online and offline).

The company acts both as a worldwide network connecting travel providers and travel agencies through a highly effective processing platform for the distribution of travel products and services (through our Distribution business), and as a provider of a comprehensive portfolio of IT solutions which automate certain mission-critical business processes, such as reservations, inventory management and operations for travel providers (through our IT solutions business).
www.amadeus.com and www.au.amadeus.com

Tourist or Traveller? Who Cares, Just Enjoy Yourself

Martin Kelly — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 05:21:20 +0000

BACK in the day, when I trod the road less travelled, I really thought there was a difference between myself and tourists. I was a traveller, you see, and they were … um … tourists. For some reason I thought my wanderings were superior, my interactions with local folk more meaningful. Why? Well, I was definitely more committed to travelling than the average tourist, quitting my job and travelling for months on end. But really, it came down to youth and a lack of understanding. Age has remedied that and I now really don't think there is a difference. A traveller is a tourist and vice versa. Seems I'm not the only one who's give this some thought. Check out this great article on the subject from Ben Groundwater. The comments are even better.

Peter Beveridge, Chief Information Officer, Stella Travel Services

Martin Kelly — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 07:58:58 +0000

Peter Beveridge, Stella Travel Services

Peter Beveridge is the Chief Information Officer of Stella Travel Services in Australia and has been in that role since 2008. In the role he is responsible for the IT and broader distribution strategy of the business.

Stella Travel Services in Australia forms the core of the group with a network of long established retail, corporate and online brands and businesses.

It also provides supporting wholesale and air ticket consolidation services to the network through wholly owned businesses.

Key brands include Harvey World Travel, Travelscene American Express, BestFlights, Travel 2, Travel Indochina and the ATS Pacific networks in Australia

Originally from the UK, Peter has worked in a number of retail and wholesale travel businesses. He worked for Sabre Pacific for a number of years in key commercial and operational roles.

Further information available at http://au.linkedin.com/pub/peter-beveridge/b/7b0/244

Virgin Leaves New Zealand Behind for More Profitable Routes

Martin Kelly — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 06:04:00 +0000

GET set for a domestic airfare war over the next six months as Qantas Group and Virgin Blue ditch marginal routes and redeploy aircraft to the biggest, most popular city-pairs in their network, virtually all of which are on the east coast. Qantas set the ball rolling last week by revealing a 10% capacity increase while Virgin joined the fray today with a series of hard-headed moves – it's pulled out of the small New Zealand domestic market, boosted trans-Tasman capacity, increased Pacific Blue services to Southeast Asia and confirmed that "recent changes to our flight patterns and frequencies now provide more than 490,000 additional (domestic) seats". Its international carrier V Australia is also refocusing, exiting Fiji while increasing flights to Los Angeles, Johannesburg and Phuket. Meanwhile, Jetstar has rushed to fill the Kiwi void and will position two extra A320 aircraft in NZ within the next 12 month, giving it eight carriers in the Shaky Isles