James Marshall

Back at cruising altitude. According to the latest estimate from the IATA, commercial airlines ended 2023 with a net profit of $27.4 billion, up from a loss of $3.5 billion in 2022 and significantly higher than previously expected. Looking ahead, the IATA expects industry revenues to reach a historic high of $996 billion in 2024, as 38.7 million flights are expected for the year, just 0.2 million short of the 2019 supply. Passenger revenue is expected to reach $744 billion, exceeding the 2019 total by more than 22 percent, driven in part by an increase in in passenger volume and in part by improvements in passenger yields. Net profits are expected to climb to $30.5 billion this year, which is more than previously forecast but still not enough to build financial resilience and invest in a more sustainable future. https://lnkd.in/g6y7nDFH

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Generative AI is a big deal for the travel industry right now and looking ahead to 2025. The innovations that we once only dreamed of are now within our grasp, promising to revolutionize how we plan, book, and experience travel. A new report from Amadeus, called ‘Navigating the Future: How Generative Artificial Intelligence is Transforming the Travel Industry,’ surveyed experts across the travel sector. 👉 Interested in knowing more? Read the full report here: https://ow.ly/xLFQ30sHnyq #AmadeusInsights #GAI #NavigatingTheFuture

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For as long as I can remember, travel has been a deeply personal journey for many. But people were not willing to take up the solo travel, but guess what, the times have changed in the last decade. The American Express Travel' 2024 Global Travel Trends Report reveals some compelling insights: (1) 34% of Indians plan to travel solo more frequently this year, compared to a global average of 18%. (2) A significant 84% of Indians planning solo travel in 2024 are focusing on trips centered around self-love and personal rejuvenation. (3) Top reasons for solo trips include reconnecting with themselves (46%), seeking a break from the daily hustle (39%), and embracing independence (34%). At QuGo , we’ve seen these trends come to life. One of my favourite moments this year was hearing from a solo traveler who shared how a personalised itinerary from QuGo allowed her to reconnect with herself in ways she never imagined. Join here for Group Travels: https://lnkd.in/gNViPYfB The team at QuGo takes pride in designing these curated experiences for you, helping you discover the world on your own terms. Join us in celebrating this new era of travel, and let’s create unforgettable memories together. Want to join QuGo Family? - write to me on [email protected] | [email protected] #travel #solotraveller

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🛫🌍Betting against Google is probably not a good idea, but do you know how many companies have tried (and failed) to “solve” trip planning?  Someone much smarter than me once suggested that the reason companies have failed time and time again in this pursuit is because it is a problem that the end user does not want to solve.  Stated differently, people enjoy the “escapism” of trip planning. Nevertheless, Google Gemini now promises to make trip planning a breeze by organizing your travels more efficiently and reducing the stress of planning your next adventure.  For more, check out this article from CNET written by Bella Czajkowski. Let me know your thoughts. https://lnkd.in/e2MCcCXu #TravelSmart #GoogleGemini #TripPlanning #TravelTech #StressFreeTravel

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🎉Another successful #GBTA this year! 🎉 If you didn’t get a chance to stop by our booth, drop me a message to set up a time to chat. Key takeaway: Travel managers are facing unprecedented complexity. While cost management and duty of care remain crucial, they now handle more decision-makers, increased traveler demands for choice, and the need for more flexible policies. Adaptation and innovation are vital. It's inspiring to see the industry's progress. Let's connect to discuss these insights and drive progress together! #GBTA24 #BusinessTravel #Travel

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Learn how Amadeus' digital media strategy for The Trans Resort Bali led to a significant increase in revenue for the hotel by focusing on new package offers and a direct booking option. https://gag.gl/xhkfb5

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IATA recently reported that air traffic hit record levels in September, showcasing a significant milestone for the aviation industry. The surge in air travel not only reflects the increasing demand for tourism but also signifies a positive trend in job opportunities within the sector. The continuous growth of tourism plays a vital role in stimulating economic development and fostering employment prospects globally. Emphasizing the importance of tourism, this data underscores the significant impact the industry has on various aspects of the economy. #tourism #airtravel #economicgrowth #jobopportunities #IATA #aviationindustry #travelagents #touroperators #AirlinePros #airlineprosinternational #tourismmatters Read more: [IATA September Air Traffic Reaches All-Time High](https://lnkd.in/ec4dGyv6)

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Singapore is the latest country in the world to set a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) mandate for all flights departing from its airports from 2026 – which would result in pricier airfares. As more SAF mandates surface, travel managers are reviewing their travel policy to better meet responsible travel objectives and identify savings. In an interview with TTG Asia Media, BCD's Ben Wedlock, SVP, Global Sales, APAC, said that SAF is not a silver bullet to instantly reduce emissions. Corporates must understand the impact of their current travel program and focus on purposeful travel, not just on the use of SAF for their flights. Read the full interview for more insights : https://ow.ly/vTot30sBzc4 #CorporateTravel #TravelManagement #SustainableAviationFuel #SAF #SustainableBizTravel

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Air India introduces the newest travel companion, ‘Fare Lock’ Air India has recently introduces an innovative feature called ‘Fare Lock’, aimed at providing customers with added flexibility and convenience during the ticket booking process. This feature is now seamlessly integrated into the booking flow on airindia and the Air India mobile application, streamlining travel planning for passengers. Fare Lock allows travelers to secure a selected fare for a period of 48 hours by paying a nominal fee. During this time, customers can finalise their travel plans without worrying about sudden fluctuations in fares or availability. This feature is applicable to flight options that are at least 10 days away from the booking date, offering ample time for travelers to make decisions. https://lnkd.in/gQjtvhBR #airindia #introduces #travelcompanion #farelock #customers #booking #process #travellers #secure #nominalfee #travelplans #flight #travel #traveling #travelindustry #travelagent TraveLICE TraveLICE Customercare

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𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐐𝟏 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐬 Booking Holdings (NASDAQ: BKNG) reported its first quarter 2024 financial results in the past week: ➡️ Gross travel bookings, which refers to the total dollar value, generally inclusive of taxes and fees, of all travel services booked by our customers, net of cancellations, were $43.5 billion, an increase of 10% from the prior-year quarter. ➡️ Room nights booked increased 9% from the prior-year quarter. ➡️ Total revenues were $4.4 billion, an increase of 17% from the prior-year quarter. ➡️ Net income was $776 million, an increase of 192% from the prior-year quarter. ➡️ Adjusted EBITDA was $898 million, an increase of 53% from the prior-year quarter. ➡️ Our Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $8.75 per share. "We are pleased to report a strong start to 2024 with first quarter year-over-year growth in room nights of 9%, revenue of 17%, and operating income of 76%, all of which were ahead of our prior expectations," said Glenn Fogel, Chief Executive Officer of Booking Holdings. "As we continue our work to deliver a better planning, booking, and traveling experience for our travelers, we are seeing encouraging results at Booking.com with increasing direct mix, higher frequency, and more of our travelers moving into the upper Genius loyalty tiers."

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I'm a bit of a plane nerd, especially when it comes to the differences between Premium cabins in the sky. In a recent interview, I shared my advice on how to choose the best airline for your needs. #airlines #travel #loyaltypoints #businessclass #premiumeconomy #flights

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Important news 👍

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Spotlight on Exceptional Service: Heroes in the Travel & Related Industry Amidst Crisis A global technical glitch caused by a Microsoft update led to major disruptions in airline and airport systems worldwide, including in India. Airlines had to revert to manual boarding passes, causing significant delays and inconvenience. Disruptions, whether due to tech glitches, climate change, or unrest or other service issues are inevitable. What truly matters is how companies respond. Did they enhance communication, provide better assistance, show empathy, offer alternative solutions etc to adapt and alleviate customer pain? The goal is NOT to focus on the 90% that struggled, but to find the few companies that stood out through their exceptional customer actions during this crisis. Did you encounter a travel & related company that went above and beyond in times of adversity? Let's celebrate those who made a difference when it mattered the most. #CustomerService #BusinessContinuity #InspiringStories #ResilientCompanies #HopInTown #incredibleindia #travel #tourism #india

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Fantastic to have the first look at FINN Partners’ 'Future of Travel' report at Arabian Travel Market which looks at spend trends among India's young travellers. The report shows that young Indian travellers are willing to spend more to make their dream trip happen. Moreover, younger Indians (under 35) are likelier to splurge on luxury experiences and adventure sports compared to older Indians. Explore the report to find out what triggers young Indians to spend - from unique and exclusive experiences to luxury and indulgence and tech-based travel: https://bit.ly/3Wx55DU SPAG, A FINN Partners Company

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*Problem Solved* Manage all your business travel needs on ONE global platform with #FCMPlatform. Enhance every part of your #BusinessTravel, from pre-trip to post-trip, all in one place. No more switching between screens! With FCM Platform you will get: ✈️ 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗯𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱: Get more options & book air, hotels, cars on one dashboard. 👩‍💻𝗧𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: Streamline reporting, save costs with Power BI. 📄 𝗚𝗦𝗧 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Easy input tax credit claim for air. 🗺️𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: Customise dashboard to add carbon emissions calculator 🧳𝗗𝘂𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲: Get real-time alerts, 24X7 tracking dashboards for traveller safety. 👉Read more about the platform here and book your demo today: https://okt.to/9afdrR #FCMPlatform #BusinessTravel #TravelTech #TravelAndExpense #LatestInBusinessTravel

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Numerous firms within the travel industry are embracing trendy terms such as "AI" or "Travel Tech" to spark fresh enthusiasm for their services. But, whatever happened to simply having a strong value proposition and securing market share through superior performance? Hopping onto the AI/Tech marketing trend merely conceals a lack of genuine innovation. Consider this: If McDonalds were to integrate robots into their kitchens, does that transform them into a robotics company selling burgers? https://lnkd.in/ecUBncaW

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Malaysia Airlines to Operate 71 Weekly Flights in India with New Daily Service to Amritsar In light of strong travel demand and solid load factor performance on the Amritsar-Kuala Lumpur route, Malaysia Airlines will increase its service frequency from four to seven times weekly starting August 1, 2024. The airline had previously raised its service frequency from two to four weekly flights to Amritsar in January 2024, reflecting the growing market confidence. This increase in frequency will bring the total number of Malaysia Airlines’ weekly flights in India to 71. Amritsar, which was introduced as a new route in November 2023 along with Ahmedabad and Trivandrum, is part of the airline’s strategic expansion in India. The frequency on the Trivandrum route was also recently increased to four times weekly starting April 3, 2024. https://lnkd.in/ge9UBYwA #malaysia #airlines #operate 71 #weekely #flights #india #daily #service #amritsar #ahmedabad #trivandrum #travel #traveling #travelindustry #travelagent TraveLICE TraveLICE Customercare

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