FCM Travel Solutions has launched FCM Connect, an integrated global technology platform which gives clients access to multiple tools that deliver on their travel programme. The new solution is an extension of the FCM Connect HUB, a single-sign-on platform that gives customers one simple connection point to all of FCM’s leading technology tools including Analytics, Approve, Booking, Secure, Expense and Mobile. HUB is customisable for each company in both configuration of tools used and interface design. Earlier this year, FCM Connect was previewed to clients and industry at the London Business Travel Show and Global Business Travel Association Conference in Sydney, Australia. Now that it is available, it will support organisations across a full range of travel program deliverables including global, regional or national fulfillment, cost reduction strategies, data compliance, and duty of care responsibilities.    

Jal Mahotsav will take place from October 15, 2017, to January 2, 2018. Organised for a period of 80 days, the festival is held in Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh with an aim to revive adventure tourism in the state. The activites include zip lining, paintball, archery, kite flying, land parasailing, paramotors, hot air ballooning, water parasailing, water zorbing, snorkelling and scuba diving among others.

Karan Anand, Head-Relationships and Supplier Management, Cox & Kings Ltd, was conferred the prestigious Gold Medal for Tourism (Médaille d’Or du Tourisme) by the French Government during a special ceremony hosted at the French Consulate in Mumbai. This is the first-ever Gold Medal given by the French government to an Indian in the tourism industry. Anand was awarded the gold medal by Yves Perrin, Consul General of France in Mumbai, for his pioneering contribution in promoting France in India. Perrin said, “We are pleased to give the gold medal to Mr. Karan Anand for his efforts in strengthening touristic ties between our two countries. As the Consul General of France, I would like thank him for his distinguished work towards the promotion of France as a prime tourist destination.” Sheetal Munshaw, Director – Atout France, added, “We are absolutely elated that Mr. Anand is the first Indian recipient of this prestigious gold medal in tourism conferred by the French Republic. Mr. Anand has been a great friend of France since several years and has actively contributed to the evolution of tourism to France. He has lent his expertise consistently and has over the years willingly extended his unwavering support to showcasing destination France in his capacity as member of the Advisory Board for Atout France. Our association with Cox & Kings has resulted in many innovative promotional programs showcasing the myriad experiences France has to offer. The role of Cox & Kings in introducing new destinations such as Chamonix Mont Blanc, the Grevin Wax Museum in Paris has been instrumental in our showcase of France. In 2016, a joint collaboration resulted in the creation of a first ever gastronomic brochure …

Yatra Online has signed a partnership with OYO which will bring the latter’s inventory on to an online travel agent platform for the first time. With this association, Yatra’s total hotel inventory will further expand to over 70,000 hotels in India, especially in the budget hotel category. Travellers can book OYO hotels on Yatra’s platform, make changes to their reservations and reach out to Yatra’s customer service if required. Dhruv Shringi, Co-founder & CEO, Yatra.com, said, “Yatra continues to expand its reach in tier II and III markets in India. Our partnership with OYO is a firm step in that direction and enables us to deliver a unique proposition to our customers allowing them to choose from an unmatched variety of travel and accommodation options in India.” Ritesh Agarwal – Founder & CEO, OYO said, “Through this partnership, OYO’s quality-assured hassle-free offerings will be accessible to millions of discerning travellers who book on Yatra.com. We welcome them to avail our economy and mid-market offerings that deliver the right balance of price, location and quality. Our mission is to bring high-quality living spaces to all Indians and this alliance will help us penetrate deeper into emerging travel markets.”

Value Retail, specialists in the creation and operation of luxury shopping destinations offering outlet pricing, the Collection of 11 Chic Outlet Shopping Villages in Europe and China, has appointed AVIAREPS India to support in sales, marketing and trade promotion across India. Value Retail serves the world’s leading brands in key tourism markets in western Europe and China, working with the world’s top travel trade operators to attract customers from all over the world. Value Retail has consistently delivered double-digit growth in gross sales every year since the opening of the first Village, Bicester Village, in 1995. The Villages are widely recognised as the best performing shopping centres in terms of sales densities in the world. Speaking about the partnership, Marcelo Molinari, Group Tourism Director, Value Retail, comments: “India has been a strategic market for Value Retail for many years and we are delighted to be working with AVIAREPS to extend our presence in the region. India is rapidly becoming one of the fastest growing outbound travel markets in the world, second only to China. Our award-winning Villages are just outside the major European cities and offer guests the world’s best brands along with memorable shopping experiences supported by events, food, styling services and unparalleled hospitality – there is something for everyone.” Value Retail also has specialist in-house Groups & Events teams in every Village dedicated to serving business tourism guests. The company creates tailor-made programmes for groups of between 10 and 7,000 attendees to support the needs of the growing Indian MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events) and luxury tourism market. Also speaking on the association, Joseph Fernandes, General Manager, AVIAREPS India, said: “Shopping is the top activity for Indians …

The first day of meetings of GoMedia Canada 2017, hosted by Destination Canada, kicked off on October 3 at Cunard Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia. Nearly 150 travel journalists and influencers from all over the world met with Canadian industry partners to discover what makes Canada and Nova Scotia worth exploring. GoMedia Canada is the country’s premier travel media event, connecting the world’s top travel media with tourism organisations and operators from across the country. Tourism Nova Scotia played the perfect host at the event. “Hosting this international tourism industry event is an honour,” said Michele Saran, CEO of Tourism Nova Scotia. “This is an incredible opportunity for Nova Scotia to share the best it has to offer with the influencers who inspire people to pack their bags and travel.” “Nova Scotia was a natural choice for GoMedia Canada 2017” said Emmanuelle Legault, Destination Canada’s vice-president of International Affairs. “It’s a great opportunity for our host, Tourism Nova Scotia, to delight and inspire media by showcasing the natural wonders, culinary delights, diverse culture and welcoming people that can be found on our East Coast.” GoMedia Canada 2017 is on till Oct. 5.

Global Panorama Showcase is returning for its sixth edition in 2018 with more global exhibitors and  buyers. The registrations have now opened up for seven cities starting with Nagpur (Jan 15-17, 2018), followed by Ahmedabad (July 5-7), Chandigarh (July 12-14), Lucknow (July 19-21), Kolkata (Aug 2-4), Kochi (Aug 9-11) and Pune (Aug 23-25), reveals Harmandeep Singh Anand, Managing Director, GPS.

Sabre Corporation has announced the development of the new Sabre Content Services for Lodging, a technology solution that will integrate multiple sources of content including the Sabre global distribution system (GDS) and non-GDS sources such as aggregators, re-distributors, agency-sourced hotel content and other sources as identified. Planned for a 2018 launch, the new solution will also support a multi-representation display option of the content creating a whole new way to retail travel content. The solution will include the capabilities of Sabre APIs and will be incorporated across all Sabre points-of-sale: Sabre Red Workspace, GetThere and TripCase. Not only will it drive more efficiency and revenue with increased lodging choice, but for bothuyers and suppliers of lodging content this solution will extend tools that improve optimization capabilities to better manage chain, property, and rate-level preferred content. “As a travel technology leader with customers spanning six continents, we’re identifying areas that not only cater to the growing needs of travelers but also redefine the travel experience,” said Traci Mercer, Sabre senior vice president of lodging, ground, and sea. “The Sabre Lodging, Ground and Sea team is committed to enhancing our portfolio of lodging options, ensuring we continue to lead the way in meeting the distribution and e-commerce needs of these customer segments.”  

AccorHotels has signed an agreement to acquire Gekko, a major player in the business travel hotel reservation segment. The transaction, which values Gekko at €100 million, will have an accretive effect on AccorHotels’ financial performance from 2018. The transaction is subject to approval of competition authorities and has already been approved by AccorHotels’ employee representative bodies. This transaction is in line with the strategy aimed at strengthening AccorHotels’ leadership across the entire customer experience by enhancing the range of services offered to business travellers, the Group’s key customer segment. Stephane de Laforcade and Olivier Delouis will remain at the head of Gekko and will continue to run the group independently. Gekko offers search and reservation solutions via an interface connected to more than 500,000 hotels worldwide, ranging from budget to luxury. Its turnkey management tools allow business travellers to manage their online payments, offering them the option of tracking and optimizing their costs. Gekko serves more than 300 corporate customers and 14,000 travel agencies through its subsidiaries: HCorpo (key accounts), Teldar Travel (leisure travel agencies), Teldar Travel Biz (SME-focused travel agencies), Miles Attack (loyalty program) and Infinite Hotel (wholesaler serving independent French hotels). Gekko operates in France, Belgium, Spain and Portugal, and has been posting very strong year-on-year growth for many years. Founded in 2010, Gekko is managed by Olivier Delouis and Stéphane de Laforcade. They introduced HLD, a European investment fund, as their reference shareholder in 2015. Thibault Viort, Chief Disruption & Growth Officer, stated, “We are very pleased to have Gekko’s team join our Group. AccorHotels’ extensive global footprint, together with Gekko’s technological leadership, today paves the way for the creation of a global leader in B-to-B hotel …

Bird ExecuJet Airport Services, a joint venture between Bird Group and ExecuJet Aviation Group, has been given Level – I accreditation by the International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling (IS-BAH) for its Fixed Based Operation (FBO) in New Delhi. This accreditation makes Bird ExecuJet Airport Services the first FBO in the country to hold this Industry Leading Certification. Bird ExecuJet is developing a world class FBO/MRO at Indira Gandhi International Airport and currently offers maintenance services from 2 exclusive hangars. The existing facility offers excellent logistics and operational readiness for its clients within India and also supports international clients and clients from neighbouring countries. IS-BAH is a joint programme between the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) and the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) and offers voluntary global code of best practices for business aviation ground handlers. It follows a long-established structure of International Standard for Business Aircraft Operators Programme and sets best practices for FBOs globally.