Emirates advances its distribution capabilities

Emirates has launched a suite of connectivity options for its trade partners around the world. Developed using IATA’s New Distribution Capability (NDC) standards, the Emirates Gateway is available via the recently launched Emirates Partners Portal.

Trade partners can connect to the Emirates Gateway via three flexible access solutions:

Emirates Booking Portal: a user-friendly web booking portal available in 12 languages, connected directly to Emirates’ reservation systems that simplifies the booking, ticketing and post-ticketing servicing of Emirates orders.

Emirates Gateway Direct: which provides access to Emirates content through IATA NDC APIs, allowing trade partners to build applications that meet their needs with expert support from Emirates’ IT teams.

Emirates Gateway Sync: a facilitated link into the Emirates reservation system provided by industry leading, IATA registered, Emirates certified technology partners.

Travel trade agents can find more information on the Emirates Gateway, via the Emirates Partners Portal, or contact the Emirates sales representative in their market.

FCM launches new AI Reporting Tool

FCM Travel Solutions has announced the launch of its new innovative AI Reporting Tool, the first of its kind in business travel. Designed to provide a more robust and customer-centric experience for travel managers, the AI Reporting Tool offers a unique way to visualise data simply by posing a question using natural language. Akin to a search engine for travel data, this cutting-edge tech gives the user the ability to easily turn their data into actionable insights.

With FCM’s new AI Reporting Tool, clients can easily search, sort and visualise their data to identify savings opportunities, establish informed sourcing strategies, or quickly find statistics needed to respond to a critical incident.

The new tool is available to all FCM MNC (multi-national companies) customers around the globe and it is also being rolled out with a three-month free trial offer as part of FCM’s October pledge campaign.

Ascott launches ‘Discover ASR’ mobile app

CapitaLand’s wholly owned lodging business unit, The Ascott Limited (Ascott), has launched its new ‘Discover ASR’ mobile app for members of its loyalty programme, Ascott Star Rewards (ASR).

The ‘Discover ASR’ mobile app acts as a one-stop 24/7 digital concierge for ASR members, who can search for special deals and book their stay at about 200 participating properties in over 25 countries and more than 85 cities through the mobile app.

Through the mobile app, guests can also manage their reservations, perform self-check-ins and check-outs, redeem e-vouchers, and view their ASR membership status as well as points earned and redeemed.

In conjunction with the launch of the new ‘Discover ASR’ mobile app, Ascott is organising a #DiscoverASR Virtual Travel Festival. Through giveaways and weekly contests, customers will get to snag pro-tips, insider recommendations, and over $12,000 (Dh44,076) worth of ASR points and staycation prizes.

UNWTO partners with Eightfold.ai

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is to work with California-based Eightfold.ai to help connect tourism jobseekers with employers and so drive the global recovery of the sector.

The new partnership will see UNWTO harness the power of the Eightfold Talent Exchange, a marketplace connecting workers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic with available jobs. Using advanced deep-learning AI, the Exchange matches people to the right jobs in companies that are hiring, creating a bridge between those looking for a job and organizations that need to hire quickly.

All 159 UNWTO Member States, as well as the more-than-500 Affiliate Members will benefit from direct access to the platform. They will also be able to offer Talent Exchange to workers who have lost their tourism-related jobs due to COVID-19. At the same time, workers can sign up to find available jobs that make use of their skills and experience. Members that have hiring needs also can sign up to post jobs and find talent who can do the job immediately.