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Trip.Biz’s New Hotel Payment Solution Revolutionizes Corporate Travel Management

Trip.com Group’s corporate travel management brand, Trip.Biz, organized the Trip.Biz Corporate Travel Conference 2024 in Hong Kong, China, focusing on the theme “Transform for Growth: Harnessing Digitalized Business Travel for Time and Cost Savings.” The event brought together approximately 150 customer partners, supplier partners, and representatives from prominent global business travel associations such as GBTA, United Airlines, American Express, and New World Millennium Hong Kong Hotel. They exchanged insights on breakthroughs and emerging trends in business travel. Trip.Biz, a corporate travel management brand under Trip.com Group, used the occasion to unveil its upcoming “Hotel Payment Solution.” This new offering aims to streamline corporate travel expense management, simplifying complex tasks and processes. Trip.Biz remains dedicated to enhancing its all-in-one corporate travel management services through innovative technology. This commitment ensures that global enterprises receive comprehensive solutions that meet the evolving demands of business travel. Sherwin Dai, General Manager of Trip.Biz Greater China, emphasized the importance of Hong Kong in business travel in the Asia-Pacific region. Due to its geographical advantages, Hong Kong is a key location connecting various regions and the world, with 125 operating routes. He also highlighted, “Enterprises place great emphasis on the cost-effectiveness of short-haul business travel. A comprehensive business travel booking and expense management platform can effectively control costs, plan budgets, simplify processes, and evaluate effects.” According to Trip.Biz data, currently, 80% of business travel falls under short-haul journeys. Trip.Biz serves diverse business travel needs with a broad hotel network spanning major cities and key business travel hubs globally. The upcoming “Hotel Payment Solution” will enable seamless hotel bookings for employees, while streamlining expense management and expenditure data for management and administrative staff. This integration simplifies reconciliation processes and reduces the administrative burden related to reimbursements and daily tasks, ultimately boosting corporate efficiency. Elle Ng-Darmawan, Regional Director, APAC, GBTA highlighted that business travel in the Asia-Pacific region leads globally: “The Asia Pacific region accounts for the largest share of business travel spend globally at 42%. This statistic underscores the immense importance of this region in shaping the trajectory of the travel industry on a global scale.” She further emphasized that digital transformation is driving innovation in the business travel industry, with over half of companies willing to apply AI technology to increase management efficiency. Throughout the conference, partners delved into pivotal advancements and emerging trends within the business travel sector, demonstrating their commitment to industry innovation. Key themes of digital transformation and sustainable development garnered significant interest, with partners offering diverse perspectives and exchanging ideas. Moving forward, Trip.Biz remains steadfast in delivering comprehensive digital solutions aimed at cost reduction, efficiency enhancement, and fostering business growth for enterprises. Collaboration with partners will continue to drive innovation and development within the business travel industry.

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UP govt announces expansion of three major cities

Yogi Adityanath's government has recently announced the plan for expansion of three cities in Uttar Pradesh. These cities are Varanasi, Gorakhpur and Prayagraj. According to a government official, the government plans to incorporate many villages into these cities, hence enhancing their development and growth. The government’s decision comes in view of the growing population in these three cities. The aim for this expansion is to ensure better city planning, even distribution and allocation of resources and diligent services for the residents. To further boost the travel and tourism sector in the state, the cabinet has made some notable decisions. The government has allotted the free land besides Shakumbri Devi, to the tourism department. Being a famous pilgrimage site, the government has decided to provide better facilities for the tourists and to provide economic opportunities to the locals. Furthermore in the cities of Amethi, Barabanki, Bulandshahr and Sitapur, the government is planning to lease Rahi houses to improve tourism infrastructure and attract more footfall. With respect to air connectivity, helipads are to be constructed in Lucknow, Prayagraj and Kapilavastu. All these cities are cultural hotspots in Uttar Pradesh. In Gorakhpur, the Yogi government has approved a plan to develop Paramhans Yogananda Sthal into a tourist attraction. The aim is to celebrate the great Yogi’s legacy. Paramhans Yogananda was an Indian-American monk, yogi and guru. To further boost tourism in Ayodhya, Yogi Adityanath has assigned the Tata Group to build a Temple museum at an estimated cost of 750 crore. This museum will be built on leased land from the tourism department, to attract people from different walks of life.

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Air Arabia Launches Direct Sharjah-Athens Flights, Boosts Travel Options

Air Arabia, the leading low-cost carrier in the Middle East and North Africa, celebrated a milestone today with the launch of its inaugural flight connecting Sharjah International Airport to Athens International Airport. The new route will operate four non-stop weekly flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays. The inaugural ceremony commenced at Sharjah International Airport, featuring Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer of Air Arabia, alongside His Excellency Antonis Alexandridis, Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic to the UAE, and other senior management officials and guests. A special welcome ceremony awaited passengers upon their arrival at Athens International Airport, marking a significant moment in Air Arabia’s expanding network. Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer of Air Arabia, commented: “Athens is the latest addition to our expanding EU network from Sharjah, joining Milan and Krakow. This new route provides our customers in the UAE and beyond with more opportunities to explore Greece with our renowned value-driven service. The launch of direct flights to Athens reaffirms our commitment to offering our passengers seamless, accessible, and affordable connectivity options. We look forward to welcoming our customers onboard to experience the rich history and cultural heritage of Athens”. Air Arabia operates a fleet of 74 modern Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft, renowned as the world’s most advanced and best-selling single-aisle planes. Passengers enjoy a value-added onboard experience featuring ‘SkyTime’, offering free in-flight streaming, and ‘SkyCafe’, providing onboard catering at affordable prices. Additionally, Air Arabia offers ‘Air Rewards’, an innovative loyalty program allowing passengers to earn, transfer, and redeem points. To book flights between the two cities, customers can visit Air Arabia’s website, contact the call center, or book through authorized travel agencies.

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India now third in domestic air travel market

India has emerged as the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market, a significant achievement that has directly benefited Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, according to President Droupadi Murmu. In her address to the joint session of Parliament, President Murmu highlighted that the country has grown at an average rate of 8% annually from 2021 to 2024. She emphasised that India has risen from the 11th to the 5th largest economy in the world over the past decade. Elaborating on the aviation sector, President Murmu stated that the number of airline routes in India has increased from 209 in April 2014 to 605 by April 2024. She noted that this expansion in air connectivity has directly benefited smaller cities across the country . The President also pointed out that air traffic demand is on the rise, with airlines expanding their fleets to accommodate more passengers. During the January-May 2024 period, domestic airlines carried 661.42 lakh passengers, up from 636.07 lakh in the corresponding period the previous year. Furthermore, President Murmu emphasised the government’s commitment to making India’s public transport system one of the best in the world . The rapid growth of India’s domestic aviation market, driven by increased air connectivity and rising passenger numbers, underscores the country’s economic progress and the government’s efforts to improve transportation infrastructure across all regions.

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Sri Lanka is surging the travel Industry with new visa-free entry policy

Sri Lanka, an island nation in the Indian Ocean, is a captivating tourist destination renowned for its stunning beaches, rich cultural heritage, lush tea plantations, and vibrant wildlife. Visitors can explore ancient cities like Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, admire the sacred Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, or embark on scenic train journeys through the picturesque hill country. Adventure seekers can enjoy safaris in Yala National Park, while beach lovers can relax on the pristine shores of Mirissa and Unawatuna. Sri Lanka’s diverse offerings make it a prime spot for leisure travel, cultural exploration, and nature adventures. Additionally, citizens from three countries—Maldives, Seychelles, and Singapore—can enter Sri Lanka without a visa, making it a hassle-free destination for travelers from these nations. For other countries, an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is required, which can be conveniently obtained online. This ease of access, combined with Sri Lanka’s enchanting attractions, enhances its appeal as a top global travel destination. Indian travelers need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before their arrival, which is a simple and free process during the program’s duration. This visa-free entry is part of Sri Lanka’s efforts to recover from economic challenges and increase tourist arrivals, with India being a significant source market. TTW Editor in Chief Mr. Anup Kumar Keshan said: “The implementation of Sri Lanka visa-free policy for 3 countries, has been a transformative force for the tourism sector. This strategic move has not only simplified the entry process for millions but has also broadened our appeal across diverse travel sectors. Additionally, this policy has invigorated niche travel markets, such as culinary tourism, adventure travel, and wellness retreats, enriching the travel experience and fostering significant economic growth and cultural exchange.” Sri Lanka recently had introduced a pilot program offering free visas for citizens of India, China, Russia, Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia, and Thailand until March 31, 2024. For other nationalities, the visa fee for a 30-day tourist visa remains at $50. But though it has expired, still there are avenues that one can explore for travel boom. Visa-Free Countries- Maldives Seychelles Singapore Top Airlines in Sri Lanka- SriLankan Airlines Description: SriLankan Airlines is the national carrier and largest airline in Sri Lanka. It operates flights to various international destinations across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, as well as domestic flights. FitsAir Description: FitsAir is a privately owned airline in Sri Lanka that operates both passenger and cargo flights. It offers domestic flights within Sri Lanka and international services to select destinations. Major Airports in Sri Lanka- Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) Location: Katunayake, near Colombo Description: The main international gateway to Sri Lanka, Bandaranaike International Airport handles the majority of international and domestic flights. It offers modern facilities and services for travelers. Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (HRI) Location: Hambantota Description: This airport serves the southern region of Sri Lanka and aims to boost tourism and economic development in the area. It handles both international and domestic flights. Ratmalana Airport (RML) Location: Colombo Description: Ratmalana Airport primarily serves domestic flights and general aviation. It is located closer to Colombo city center compared to Bandaranaike International Airport. Jaffna International Airport (JAF) Location: Jaffna Description: Serving the northern region of Sri Lanka, Jaffna International Airport facilitates regional connectivity and supports the development of the Jaffna Peninsula.

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Travel credit card fintech records 30% rise in travel bookings this summer

Travel credit card fintech Scapia on Friday said the company recorded a 30 per cent increase in domestic and international travel bookings on the platform during the summer season this year, compared to bookings in January. The Bengaluru-based company said domestic destinations such as Goa, Varanasi, Srinagar, Port Blair, and Leh were popular between February and May, whereas on the international front, travellers preferred to visit countries such as UAE, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka. Women solo travellers grew at the rate of 47 per cent, whereas solo travellers who were men grew 39 per cent. In terms of such travel, Thailand and Malaysia witnessed a fourfold increase in popularity, along with Nepal, which recorded a threefold increase in bookings. “Women’s greater engagement in solo travel reflects a positive shift in the Indian travel and tourism market. This shift can be attributed to advancements in technology that offer real-time travel support, improved security measures, and the abundance of travel information available online,” the company said in a statement. Lesser-known destinations like Penida Island in Indonesia, Nonthaburi in Thailand, and Kowloon in Hong Kong made it to travellers’ lists this summer. The growth in travel numbers on the platform comes even as the company witnessed some turbulence at the start of 2024 when some of Scapia’s customers saw their credit limits marked down by its banking partner Federal Bank. The company was founded in 2022 by Anil Goteti, a former senior executive at e-commerce giant Flipkart. It raised $23 million in a funding round led by Elevation Capital and 3STATE Ventures, an investment firm of former Flipkart chief executive Binny Bansal. The Series A round was attended by Scapia’s existing investors, Matrix Partners India and Tanglin Venture Partners.

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