Technology

Air New Zealand tests blockchain to 'streamline' services

Airline follows Lufthansa in partnership with technology specialist Winding Tree

Accomable founder hails Airbnb takeover as ‘just the beginning’

Online disability-friendly accommodation specialist Accomable has been snapped up by Airbnb for an undisclosed sum

Duetto’s fourth annual Revenue Strategy Forum was held recently at the Amba Hotel Charing Cross. In this guest comment, Michael McCartan, managing director, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Duetto, discusses his key learnings from the forum

Thomas Cook chief does not rule out further store closures, but hails role of independents

In 2017 Cook web bookings from the UK grew by more than 25%

Travel Network Group to launch voice analysis software

Boss Gary Lewis said its introduction was about being able to “measure performance in a different way”

Goldtrail defendant Onur Air ordered to pay £5 million

The judgement has brought to an end the long-running claim made by the liquidators of Goldtrail, PwC

‘The blockchain will change B2B’

A 2017 buzzword came under the microscope at World Travel Market London earlier this month in a session entitled ‘Blockchain Versus Blockchain’, as experts shed light on the technology

New tech no substitute for face-to-face sales

Travel Agents need to “embrace technology” for their businesses to prosper but it will never replace face-to-face selling as their biggest asset

Byrne: Don’t forget the importance of the ‘human touch’ when selling

Agents who act like robots will lose against the real robots

How to succeed at making sales with Facebook

Helen Hays, social media manager at Ginger Juice, gives some practical pointers on how to use Facebook to sell

WTM 2017: Virtual reality check

Using virtual reality in travel is much more than simply placing a headset on a customer’s head and showing off a destination, argues Laduma’s chief executive Ben Smith – now’s the time to make the business case

Alex Bainbridge: Taking stock of tour operator technology

DestinationCTO.com’s Alex Bainbridge explores why and how the bigger OTAs are moving into the touring sector, and what this means for tour operators and their distribution strategies

Traveltek to offer 'next-generation' cruise booking platform

Traveltek CruiseNX aims to give cruise specialists “enhanced capabilities” to drive productivity and enhance the user experience

Dnata launches new bed bank

Dnata wants to garner distribution where it is not yet operating

Ex-Thomas Cook chief sells Magic Rooms to Logitravel

Magic Rooms, which was founded by Manny Fontenla-Novoa in 2014, will become Logitravel’s B2B brand in the UK market

Travelport launches new tool to drive sales

Travelport Business Insights was originally launched in Asia before being rolled out to the Northern Europe market

How VR has given Thomas Cook Stratford a boost

Embracing virtual reality has had positive results for Thomas Cook’s Discovery stores. Abra Dunsby speaks to Peter Ryan, Westfield Stratford’s branch manager, about its power to inspire customers and encourage bookings

Princess Cruises launches new Ocean Medallion competition

Agents can win a place on trip to experience new wearable tech device

Princess promises ‘exceptional’ Wi-Fi

Princess Cruises’ UK boss has reiterated the line’s commitment to delivering the “best connected Wi-Fi at sea”

Travel Counsellors reveals Ab Fab conference speaker

Joanna Lumley will address delegates at the firm’s annual conference in Manchester later this month

Aito 'applauds' investigation into hotel booking sites

The CMA launched its probe last week after it was concerned about the “accuracy and presentation of information on sites”

Hays Travel boss 'shocked and saddened' by Just Cruise's closure

Hays has taken on Just Cruise’s marketing manager as well as two sellers

Thomas Cook confirms plan to 'switch off' viewdata

The company expanded the Thomas Cook Trade platfom earlier this year

Comment: Technology’s grip on travel gets ever tighter

My first experience of computers causing disruption came in the early 1990s. Back then, my idea of technology-driven entertainment was typing the number 55318008 into a calculator and turning it upside down