“&Beyond Phinda Forest Lodge was originally built in the early 1990s,” recalls Kevin Pretorius, &Beyond Managing Director for South Africa Lodges. “Back then, the lodge’s innovative and progressive design made a huge statement on sustainability, as it was sensitively constructed within the ancient sand forest with minimum impact at the heart of the project.”

Pretorius continues, “Phinda, which started as an amalgamation of denuded farmlands in 1991, has grown into an extensive conservancy at the cutting edge of conservation, a modern example of Care of the Land, Wildlife and People. What was only our second owned and operated lodge following the birth of the company at &Beyond Phinda will now be reborn.”

Interior designers Fox Browne Creative, who have previously worked on the refurbishments of the other five lodges on the reserve, are partnering with architectural designer Jack Alexander to reimagine and bring to life the new Phinda Forest Lodge in a design that will offer past guests the comfort and familiarity of one of their most loved lodges while also providing exciting improvements in room flow and functionality. Nestled inside 1,000 hectares (2,471 acres) of Africa’s last remaining dry sand forest in the north of &Beyond Phinda, the lodge embodies a commitment to minimise the impact on the environment. Its iconic rooms were built in perfect harmony with the existing flow of the forest and their design has stood the test of time. As such, the existing room structures will be used to redefine the new lodge in a way that will continue the legacy with which it was originally built.

“The sand forest is one of Phinda’s most distinctive and delicate habitats. It occurs on deep sands, the leftover fossilised dunes of an earlier coastline,” explains Pretorius. Many of the plant species encountered in sand forest can be found nowhere else on earth. Normally shy mammals such as the red duiker, suni and Tonga red squirrel are often encountered in sand forest, and the area is also rich in birds, with several species restricted solely to this habitat.

Due to the sensitivity of the habitat, the lodge refurbishment will utilise existing lodge and room structures to minimise impact associated with an entire rebuild, while also updating the architectural design and taking care not to detract from the essence of the lodge design and its original ‘Zulu-zen’ concept. Throughout the rooms and main guest areas, the interiors will be reimagined with new fixtures and finishes drawing inspiration from the surrounding sand forest, blending aspects of Japanese minimalism with an ode to local culture.

Elements of the natural forest and Zulu culture will be brought into the room through the use of tactile textures and natural materials such as woven matting, textured grass cloth wallpaper, and hardwood floors, with natural stone tiling in the bathrooms. The intention is to reconfigure the room within the existing structure, creating a more comfortable layout that better utilises the existing space, while maximising the connection to the forest through wide open views.

Phinda Forest Lodge has always provided &Beyond guests with an exclusive, private experience immersed in the sand forest, and this will be enhanced through the redirection and reduction of pathways to and from the rooms. In order to assist with the rehabilitation of the old pathways, we have established a nursery which will cultivate sand forest tree species to be planted along the trails.

Major structural additions include a family suite, a library and lounge, a walkway with central fire pit linking the main area to the library, a newly reshaped and tiered pool, and significant upgrades to the main dining and bar areas. In keeping with the other lodges in &Beyond’s portfolio, the family suite will comprise a contemporary designed and decorated standard suite linked to a newly built second bedroom, which can be accessed privately or through an additional linked passageway.

A new purpose-built building will contain the library and sitting room, centred around a reading table and doublesided fireplace with surrounding areas for guests to relax. Timber sliding doors will lead to an outdoor deck with its own shaded spaces, nestled among the trees with views of patches of forest and the wetland areas. The interior of the library and sitting room will combine elements of traditional Zulu culture with cosy minimalist elegance. A wooden walkway will seamlessly connect the library to a new pool area, which will include a reshaped and tiered swimming pool designed to maximize the scenic setting and timeless beauty of the sand forest. An all-new massage sala will also be constructed next to the pool.

Other innovative additions will include a central fire pit that will be located between the library and main area, cast out toward the wetland and offering guests the opportunity to indulge in a fireside chat before and after dinner.

“We are excited about the refurbishment of one of our most loved lodges, and we hope to welcome guests back to Phinda Forest Lodge as of 1 December 2023,” says Pretorius.

“Phinda was where &Beyond’s vision and impact model were born,” he recalls. “Over the years, we have curated a set of unique, immersive experiences born out of this ethos, which guests at Phinda Forest Lodge will continue to have access to. These include experiences focused on the conservation of species such as white and black rhinoceros, as well as Temminck’s ground pangolin, and a unique Zulu Village Tour which allows guests to ethically immerse themselves in traditional Zulu culture.”

Phinda is also uniquely positioned to offer other extraordinary adventure activities like diving or ocean safaris at nearby Sodwana Bay. Depending on the season, guests may also be able to enjoy expeditions to admire turtles nesting along the Indian Ocean coastline.

The article &Beyond announces refurbishment of well-loved eco-lodge in South Africa first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.

The journey will be as diverse as it is luxurious. Drawing on two decades of adventure travel as well as aviation and luxury hospitality expertise, the team have hand-picked each destination. Co-Founder and CEO of White Desert, Patrick Woodhead explains “These countries have been chosen because they are unusual, many are hard to reach destinations and they all epitomise the height of adventure without sacrificing a luxurious experience.”

Starting in Mexico City, guests will then travel to Colombia, Easter Island, Fiji, Borneo, India, Turkey, Namibia, South Africa and will finish the journey with White Desert’s signature trip – into Antarctica. In fact, guests will have the choice of two endings to this incredible journey. Guests can choose either White Desert Antarctica’s ‘Greatest Day’ trip into the 7th Continent where they will have a few hours on ice or a chance to extend their stay for a further five days in Antarctica before flying back to Cape Town (numbers strictly limited).

White Desert World will focus on offering authentic, local experiences and highlights will include Caribbean cooking in Cartagena, a graffiti street art tour of Getsemani and a sailing trip to Club de Pesca for a night of rum, chocolate and salsa music. Other activities will include sampling the best food and drink offerings, experiencing epic street parties and the opportunity to join in with local traditions. These will be coupled with off-the-beaten track city tours, bustling market visits, and collaborations with artisans and musicians; while expert guides will offer guests an adventure of a lifetime.

Guests will travel around the world in a unique Boeing 757-200 set up in a private configuration with 50 lie-flat seats. All air operations will endeavour to use sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) where possible and the White Desert World journey will be fully off-set. Indeed, White Desert have been carbon neutral since 2007 and this is an important tenet of all of their operations. White Desert are currently implementing a seagrass meadow planting project, which will help them be even more progressive in their sustainability and conservation efforts.

White Desert World’s 7 Continent Adventure is available for a maximum of 50 guests and will take place from 10th – 31st January 2024. White Desert World’s team will be travelling alongside the group and experienced local guides will be supporting on the ground in each destination.

The article Launch of White Desert World – blending unique adventures with iconic destinations first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.

MENA is a key market for Wego, and always tops the searches from this region. flyadeal, one of the youngest and fastest growing low-cost airlines in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Middle East, continues its expansion to the region.

flyadeal currently operates scheduled flights to 17 domestic destinations across Saudi Arabia and six in Europe, Middle East and Africa. From June, the airline will triple its international footprint with 12 additional destinations in Europe and Middle East. These are Rhodes and Heraklion in Greece; Sarajevo (Bosnia); Larnaca (Cyprus), Tivat (Montenegro); Izmir, Antalya, Bodrum and Trabzon in Turkey; Baku (Azerbaijan); Tbilisi, (Georgia); and Sharm el Sheikh (Egypt).

The new partnership includes all flyadeal flights to Wego’s marketplace where users can book directly with the airline. Wego is looking to provide its users with a wider choice of airlines to book from, by adding such a renowned airline to its portfolio.

Con Korfiatis, flyadeal Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are delighted to partner with Wego, the biggest and renowned online travel marketplace in the MENA region. This collaboration will allow our customers to directly book flyadeal’s wide choice and growing number of flights through Wego’s platform, giving us the opportunity to distribute our products to a bigger audience, and showcase our competitive everyday fares. This partnership will further enhance our customers’ travel experience and help us to better serve them.”

Additionally, Wego’s users will benefit from flyadeal fares which will be promoted across all Wego’s marketing channels and will be able to search and book the most competitive deals online.

Ross Veitch, CEO and Co-founder of Wego, said: “As the largest online travel marketplace in MENA we are delighted to announce our partnership with flyadeal, the fastest growing airline in KSA. We look forward to offering flyadeal’s attractively priced fares to Wego’s audience both in The Kingdom and also across our regional points of sale as flyadeal opens new international routes.”

Around 10,000 monthly bookings for flyadeal have been conducted.

The top destinations searching for flights to Saudi were Egypt, India, Kuwait, UAE, Sudan, Oman, Turkey, Jordan, Morocco, and Qatar.

Our data also shows that 79% of travelers are staying up to 3 days with the remaining percentage staying 12 days or more.

This collaboration ensures Wego users are always getting the most comprehensive selection of flight options possible across all our platforms.

The article Wego partners with flyadeal to offer its users more choice first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.

Mamoun Hmedan, CCO and MD, MENA and India, Wego, said: “We are thrilled to announce our new partnership with the Egyptian Tourism Authority. Egypt is a perfect destination for travelers looking for a mix of history, culture, and adventure. Summer and Eid Al Adha are the ideal times to visit Egypt. We have recorded over 24 million searches from MENA to Egypt between 1 January to 27 April 2023 and we expect to see a surge around the Eid Al Adha period.”

Wego will be presenting its users with a comprehensive guide highlighting the best places to visit, things to do, and experiences to enjoy. To reward travelers, a social media competition will run online to give people the chance to visit this must-see destination.

Egypt has a variety of activities and experiences to offer visitors during summer and Eid Al Adha. Travelers can explore ancient monuments as Egypt is home to some of the world’s most iconic ancient monuments, including the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, and the temples of Luxor and Aswan.

Amr ElKady, CEO of Egyptian Tourism Authority, commented: “We are excited to partner with Wego for another year. With Egypt’s rich cultural heritage, diverse landscape, and welcoming people, and Wego’s large user base in MENA, we are confident that we can attract more visitors to Egypt and provide them with an unforgettable experience.”

Suzan Mostafa, General director of Tourism Promotion at Egyptian Tourism Authority, said: “We are thrilled to partner with Wego and promote our country through this joint campaign. We will benefit from Wego’s large user base in the MENA region, which will enable us to drive more traffic to Egypt and attract holidaymakers in the summer season.”

During this period, Egypt comes alive with music, dance, and traditional festivities. Moreover, you can explore Egypt’s stunning beaches, desert landscapes, all of which make Egypt a unique and unforgettable destination.

The article Wego and Egyptian Tourism Authority sign a new deal first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.

The new partnerships bring the total number of Foundation projects to 36, the largest suite of projects in their 20+ year history. Their projects will now span every continent and cover issues that include conservation and wildlife, gender equality, human rights, youth empowerment, climate action, economic development, and emergency appeals.

While Intrepid’s operations have always aimed to create a positive impact in the communities they visit, the Intrepid Foundation, which was set up in 1999 and has donated over $12M AUD in the past 20 years, empowers travelers to deepen their impact and support economic, social, and environmental causes through donations, awareness, and traveler education.

In December 2022, the Intrepid Foundation welcomed their new General Manager, Biheng Zhang, to grow the Foundation’s global reach and deepen the connection between Intrepid customers, local issues, and partners. Zhang, who is based in the company’s global headquarters in Melbourne, Australia, has over 10 years of experience working across corporate social responsibility and philanthropy for many influential organizations.

In the first quarter of 2023, the Foundation has not only brought on 22 new partners but has already raised AU$308,000 for their recent Türkiye and Syria Earthquake Appeal, which includes matched donations from Intrepid.

The new partnerships are the result of Intrepid’s local knowledge operating across 100+ countries around the world, which is considered one of Intrepid’s greatest assets. With over 25 operations offices across 6 continents, Intrepid’s vertical integration means they not only operate a majority of their own tours but can tap into their local staff who know the societal and environmental issues that affect their communities best. Many of the new partners were sourced from their local team members and are primarily smaller, local organizations that would otherwise not receive international attention or support.

New Partners Include:
Vun Art (Paired with Vietnam Discovery and other select Intrepid tours)
Vun Art empowers individuals with disabilities by providing job training and employment opportunities in Vietnam. There are approximately seven million people with disabilities living in Vietnam, and of them only 36% are employed. This is largely due to the lack of suitable jobs and the prevalent social stigmas. Donations made by the Intrepid Foundation directly support Vun Art’s training programs, transportation and equipment, aimed to expand cultural and creative employment to different abled individuals.

Gastromotiva (Paired with Real Mexico and other select Intrepid tours)
Organizations like Gastromotiva are supporting the worldwide social gastronomy movement by promoting the transformative power of food through social inclusion and zero-waste. In Mexico, 23.5% of people are living in food poverty. The Intrepid Foundation has partnered with Gastromotiva on its ‘Cocinas Solidarias’ initiative to provide vulnerable communities with daily nutritious and balanced meals, further generating income by employing alumni of the program.

Patinaai Osim (Paired with Premium Kenya and other select Intrepid tours)
Patinaai Osim is supporting indigenous Maasai women to create sustainable livelihoods, rising above poverty and gender inequality in a patriarchal society. The Intrepid Foundation’s donations directly fund educational and healthcare resources provided by Patinaai Osim to give Indigenous women and girls in Kenya a safe space to access aid and become changemakers in their communities.

Greening Australia (Paired with Red Centre Explorer and other select Intrepid tours)
The Intrepid Foundation partners with Greening Australia to restore Australian ecosystems faced with complex environmental challenges. Using science-based solutions, Greening Australia provides more than just trees. They support native wildlife, increase biodiversity, improve water quality and sequester carbon on a massive scale to create a future where nature and humans can thrive in Australia.

In addition to the new partnerships, Intrepid has committed to making a donation on behalf of every Intrepid traveler on every trip as of January 1, 2023, which will result in more than AU$700,000 donated from Intrepid Travel to NGO partners and contribute significantly to their $2M AUD annual donation target in 2023.

The article Intrepid Foundation introduces 22 new NGO partners first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.

“A shipyard period with Lürssen is always something special and for us, as a Hamburg-based business, a home game, so to speak,” says Ulrich Voss, Director Shipmanagement & Hotel Refurbishment. “In a great team effort, shipyard workers, technicians and engineers, as well as approximately 1,100 crew members in the dry dock, have prepared Mein Schiff 1 for the guests of the coming months.”

Shore power connection for almost emission-free ship operation in port

Following Mein Schiff 4 and Mein Schiff 6, Mein Schiff 1 is the third ship in the Mein Schiff fleet to have received shore power connection on board. This means that half of the Mein Schiff fleet can utilise shore-side power in ports where it is available. To install the system, an additional door was cut into the ship through which the six-centimetre-thick shore power cables are fed into the ship in port. “As early as November, Mein Schiff 5 and, in January 2024, Mein Schiff 2 will also be equipped with a shore power connection. In this way, we want to support the further development of using external power supply in port and increase the demand for more environmentally efficient ship operations,” says Voss.

A “HELCOM upgrade” also took place – the wastewater aftertreatment system has been improved even further. The plant complies with the strict limits for phosphate and nitrate in wastewater, which were specifically set for the sensitive waters of the Baltic Sea.

In addition, the outer skin of Mein Schiff 1 has been given a new silicone coating. This reduces resistance during the voyage and therefore achieves significant fuel savings and emission reductions. This is all part of TUI Cruises commitment to climate protection.

Northern German flair meets industrial design

In addition to regular maintenance and technical innovations, the time in dry dock was also used for interior design enhancements. The Ebbe & Flut beer bar shines in new splendour: an industrial design, with numerous wood and copper elements, it invites you to linger. In cooperation with the Hamburg Ratsherrn brewery, the focus in the future will be on regionally brewed beers. In addition to the golden barley juice, Mein Schiff 1 offers its guests a range of dishes in the Ebbe & Flut – Beer Bar, in true North German style from a Hamburg restaurant called “Altes Mädchen”.

New Gellery Area on Deck 4: Inspiration for creatives and art lovers

In the new gallery area of Mein Schiff 1, art lovers will in the future be able to choose from fine art prints, unique serigraphs, and even one-of-a-kind pieces of art. Queens Art Galleries specialize in modern and contemporary art, and works closely with established and emerging international artists, including James Francis Gill, Bob Dylan and SAXA. Also, the adjacent area from the travel advisor as well as the Shore Excursions department have both received a make-over.

In its summer season, Mein Schiff 1 sails on various routes from Norway and Warnemünde along the Baltic Sea, before setting off for the Canary Islands in autumn, where it will spend the winter season.

The article Freshen-up and sustainability upgrades for Mein Schiff 1 in Hamburg’s traditional “Elbe 17” dock first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.

“The first quarter saw strong travel demand driven by increasing international travel, major city travel, and the reopening in Asia. We invested into that demand driving record lodging bookings and continued strength in app usage and loyalty member counts. We also saw strong growth in B2B driven by an expanding partner base and growth from our existing partners. Our performance was enhanced by greater testing velocity and accelerating deployment of AI and ML, including our recent integration of ChatGPT into our iOS experience,” said Peter Kern, Vice Chairman and CEO, Expedia Group. “With our strategy gaining momentum, we saw the opportunity to continue to buy our equity attractively. We repurchased $600 million of shares, one of our highest levels ever year-to-date.”

First Quarter Highlights

• Total gross bookings were $29.4 billion, an increase of 20%, compared to 2022.
• Lodging bookings at $21.1 billion were at record levels.
• Highest ever first quarter revenue was $2.7 billion, an increase of 18%, compared to 2022.
• B2B revenue was $668 million, an increase of 55%, compared to 2022.
• Record net cash provided by operating activities of $3.2 billion and record free cash flow of $2.9 billion.
• Repurchased at an accelerated pace $600 million or approximately 6.0 million shares year-to-date.

The article Expedia Group reports 1st Quarter 2023 results first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.

The multi-day, mega-event runs from September 22-28, 2023. Each group will have its own dedicated itinerary, and the event will culminate with the first World Community Tourism Summit, to be hosted on World Tourism Day, September 27, 2023. This day will feature a line-up of inspiring speakers and entertainment, which will soon be announced.

Presented by G Adventures, in support of its non-profit partner, Planeterra, GX will be hosted in Peru, a country which has struggled with its return to pre-pandemic tourism numbers due to recent civil unrest. Planeterra will be celebrating its 20th anniversary at the event, and G Adventures will recognise its belated 30th anniversary, which was postponed three years by the pandemic.

GX will be invitation-only, but agents have a chance to be in attendance with the announcement that the 2023 Change Makers event – revealed last month – will be hosted as part of GX. Here, 65 agents who have played their role in changing lives through travel will be brought together from different regions.

Bruce Poon Tip, the founder of G Adventures, says GX will be an event unlike any the travel industry has seen before; a feel-good celebration that has the potential to drive change and make a huge difference to the lives of local people through its concurrent fundraising efforts for Planeterra’s 20th anniversary.

“We’ve thrown lots of great parties and events in our 33 years of operation, but this will be the biggest yet. With Planeterra’s 20th and our 30th anniversaries, it needs to be something special and never-done before. Most importantly, I’m looking forward to recognising 20 years of Planeterra, the great work that has been done, and to help raise money to continue the great work they are doing to change lives in the communities we visit.

“There’s no better way to show our travel community first-hand how tourism has the power to drive positive change than through experience. We’ve been showcasing the beautiful concept of community tourism to our travellers for years, but wanted to open it up to the industry to experience as well.

“In true G Adventures style, we’re continuing to innovate with GX, which will be a groundbreaking event in travel – it really will be the first of its kind,” says Poon Tip.

Change Makers is live now and runs until June 30, 2023*. The campaign incentivises agents to focus on changing people’s lives through travel by booking G Adventures trips. Agents who successfully earn a place at Change Makers will see firsthand how their work directly impacts local communities in the destinations G Adventures takes its travellers to.

* Terms and Conditions apply.

The article Travel’s biggest community tourism summit -GX- announced first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.

Although many Britons plan to use the coronation as an opportunity for a holiday, a recent GuestReady study revealed that the average cost of renting a London vacation property during the King’s Coronation weekend has risen by 67% from £485 in 2022 to £810 this year. These prices are consistent with the widely reported hotel room rate increases of around 60% year-on-year for the same weekend.

Meanwhile, the UK’s tourism board, Visit Britain, has reported a 10% increase in flight bookings from the American market throughout May, and a recent study by Trip.com revealed a 70% year-on-year increase in flight bookings to the UK during Coronation week.

So, which travel companies will emerge as the true winners this weekend? It appears that those utilizing the best technology will triumph.

A significant number of visitors will come from neighboring European countries. Emilie Dumont, CEO of Digitrips, which owns France’s leading OTA, Misterfly, among other B2B travel technology firms, remarks: “We’ve observed a 61% increase in hotel bookings for London in the first 15 days of May compared to the same period in 2022 due to King Charles’ Coronation. This high demand offers French travel agents a unique chance to demonstrate their expertise in personalized services, fostering loyalty for a memorable trip. The appropriate technology plays a crucial role in streamlining the booking process and managing last-minute changes or extra requests.”

Simon Goddard, COO at travel booking technology provider Vibe, whose clients include leading online travel agencies, emphasizes the importance of online sales and marketing in tapping into this tourist influx. He suggests travel agents “create immersive itineraries that include more than just flights and hotels – attractions such as historical tours, fine dining, and innovative cultural events. Committing to the best technology and continuous innovation is crucial to stay ahead.”

Hoteliers who strategize well for the Coronation can not only profit from the event’s immediate impact but also establish lasting relationships with guests for future stays, according to Rikin Wu, CEO & Founder of global hotel bedbank DidaTravel. To attract guests initially, he recommends hoteliers leverage the latest booking technology, like dynamic pricing and personalized promotions, which can yield significant returns during peak periods.

Alex Barros, CMO & CIO of hotel revenue management platform BEONx, concurs that strategic pricing is crucial, as hotels risk losing revenue if prices are too low or deterring potential guests if prices are too high. He advises adjusting pricing in real-time based on demand to strike the right balance and maximize revenue.

Not only travel suppliers such as hotels or airlines, but also intermediaries like travel agents or tour operators will rely on technology to navigate the weeklong festivities. Spencer Hanlon, Head of Travel at B2B payment specialist Nium, notes that modern payment solutions can help manage the strains of peak periods, allowing businesses to handle increased working capital requirements without complications.

Katie Crowe from travel insurance provider battleface highlights the opportunity for the travel insurance sector to benefit from the booking surge by reminding travelers of the need for insurance during short breaks. She encourages travel sellers to use the latest technology to offer tailored insurance products instead of off-putting, high-cost, one-size-fits-all policies.

In conclusion, Carlos Cendra from the travel intelligence platform Mabrian highlights that their data analysis shows the Charles III coronation will positively impact not just the UK’s inbound tourism but also outbound travel, as Britons take advantage of the extended weekend. For instance, between May 1st and 8th, flight searches from the UK to Spain have risen by 20% compared to the previous year and exceeded the volume recorded during the same period in 2019. Additionally, air connectivity to certain Spanish destinations, such as Seville, Valencia, and Barcelona, has increased during that week. In times of heightened tourism activity like this, data intelligence plays a crucial role for all stakeholders in the travel ecosystem, enabling them to not only anticipate but also influence demand by developing targeted, relevant marketing campaigns.

The article Is technology the secret to determining the victors of the UK’s coronation travel surge? first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.

The Travelpass platform provides users with tools that simplify and enhance the trip-planning experience. Anyone visiting the site will have access to discounted hotel rates within North America. To browse its extensive inventory pool, travelers can create a free member log-in for access to lodging deals that are otherwise not publicly available. A 24/7 team of agents are also reachable via phone to unlock the deepest discounts possible and provide customer support. Once a traveler finds the just-right destination, bookings are processed directly on the Travelpass site.

“The modern traveler demands a straightforward platform that delivers transparent pricing and customized trip-planning tools, so they can efficiently book an incredible getaway,” explains CEO Ryan McCoy. “The travel industry is known for its lethargic approach to innovation – we haven’t seen major disruption since the advent of rideshare apps. What sets Travelpass apart is our access to multiple supply channels, allowing us to provide insider rates as well as technology-enhanced, personalized trip-planning tools.”

With summer travel starting to heat up, certain cities are already experiencing an influx of bookings by travelers attempting to get ahead of the inflation and availability curve of hotel rates. Travelpass Group found the top five most popular U.S. cities being booked between May 1 to Sept. 30 this year are:

• Las Vegas
• Orlando, FL
• Nashville, TN
• Seattle
• New York

No matter where you choose to explore this summer, Travelpass is creating better travel experiences with transparent pricing and easy-to-access support. According to 2022 data from Google, 43% of travelers stated that the length of the research cycle before completing a booking was at least one month. The company’s platform streamlines the typically arduous trip-planning process so travelers can plan their whole vacation in one place, with 59% of summer travelers opting for the ease of booking over the phone with the support of the Travelpass team.

“Travelpass is for the explorer-at-heart. We are passionate about enriching people’s lives through travel and that sentiment drives every aspect of this company,” says Austin Lowe, Travelpass President. “This platform opens new doors while gathering a growing community of curious and fun travelers who want to inspire one another through their experiences. The adventure is just beginning.”

Travelpass plans to roll out several new tools in the coming months, including an itinerary planning tool and a travel management app, as well as booking options for destination activities, such as concerts and sporting events. The platform will also host personalized travel agent support and complement its domestic inventory of hotels with international offerings. Explorers hankering for trip-planning guidance can turn to Travelpass for AI-fueled travel recommendations leveraging ChatGPT. Users will have the option to create and save draft itineraries and share them with friends and family to collaborate on.

The article New booking platform offers access to non-public discounts on hotels and travel experiences first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.