AMEX Travel forms JV in the Middle East, International tourism up 4% H1, chatbots proving their worth in travel eCommerce and maximize your return on technology investment.

AMEX Travel forms JV in the Middle East
Monday, 16th September 2019

American Express Global Business Travel has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a controlling stake in Kanoo Travel, one of the largest travel management networks in the Middle East.

GBT will form a joint venture with parent company YBA Kanoo Group to provide managed travel and events services to clients in the Middle East. Kanoo Travel, which has been a key member of GBT’s global travel partner network for many years, operates in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman >>

International tourism up 4% in first half of 2019
15 Sep 2019 : Destinations worldwide received 671 million international tourist arrivals between January and June 2019, almost 30 million more than in the same period of 2018 and a continuation of the growth recorded last year >>

New Nordic Group announces developments in Thailand
14 Sep 2019 : The New Nordic Group announces a further strategic development by appointing Far East Hospitality to manage 542-rooms on Pratumnak hill, Thailand >>

Middle Eastern hotel project at all-time high in Q2, 2019
13 Sep 2019 : In a recent report by analysts at Lodging Econometrics (LE), the Middle East hotel construction pipeline stands at 640 projects/181,890 rooms, up 6% and 4%, respectively, year-over-year (YOY) >>

Rosewood opens the tallest 5-star hotel in the world
12 Sep 2019 : A veritable 'Mansion in the Sky', the second urban outpost for Rosewood Hotels & Resorts in mainland China opens as the tallest 5-star hotel in the world and the most breathtaking address in the Greater Bay Area >>

HIGHLIGHT ARTICLE

Chatbots Proving Their Worth in Travel eCommerce
Monday, 16th September 2019

Chatbots are helping in increasing efficiency in the travel sector, in areas like customer service and bringing down human resources costs for airlines and OTAs. For example, when there is a spike in demand for interactions with an airline or an OTA, such as during rough weather or peak travel season, a chatbot can share pertinent information, and travelers don’t have to wait until a human representative is available >>

Ways Independent Hoteliers Can Attract Business Travelers
Exclusive Feature: Business travelers can make or break the success of a small or boutique hotel and every year, fewer Americans use their available vacation days — if they get any at all, therefore establishments solely focusing on recreational travelers risk losing business >>

Maximize Your Return on Technology Investment
Budget season is fast approaching and while it might not be the most exciting task, it’s imperative that hotels make their budget work harder for them. As the future becomes more technologically advanced, now it is time to instil change, embrace it and invest in it >>

Grow Your Direct Bookings and Improve Bottom Line
The rising success of OTAs has encouraged hotels to take a back seat when it comes to direct bookings, after all, why would you go to all that trouble when a third-party can do the hard work for you? While handing over the steering wheel to OTAs might remove some of the pressure, it’s a precarious game giving someone else all the power! Think about it: When you put OTAs in charge, your bookings are at their mercy >>

In case you've missed it: Global eNews September 12, 2019
The online travel market is evolving – and fast, Klook celebrates 5th anniversary, ten dining trends for 2020 and compliant payment solutions for independent hotels >>