Sabre Corporation, the leading technology provider to the global travel industry, has announced a multi-year agreement to provide Sabre MIDT Network Plus data to Hong Kong Airlines. The purchase is expected to be central in providing the airline with much-needed intelligence as they chart their expansion plans into North America.

Hong Kong Airlines will now have access to booking data from Sabre agents worldwide for all traveller origins and destinations where Hong Kong Airlines operates at least one segment of the traveller journey. The data also includes information on preceding and follow-on segments for those routes, which will help Hong Kong Airlines better understand passenger traffic patterns and design their network to meet market demand, provide passengers with increased choices and maximise revenues.

“Through our sophisticated business intelligence tools, we are helping customers unlock deeper data-driven insights and adapt to changing market influences and trends,” said Rakesh Narayanan, vice president of Air Commerce, Sabre Travel Network Asia. “Hong Kong Airlines recognises the value of Sabre’s big data and intends to use the insights in their business decision-making, making improvements to marketing, revenue management, network and operational decisions,” he added.

Hong Kong Airlines will be flying its inaugural direct flight to Los Angeles, USA in December 2017. Following this first destination in continental United States, the airline hopes to further expand its network in North America and provide more travel options to its customers.
“The expansion to Los Angeles is an exciting milestone for Hong Kong Airlines as we further expand our international network,” said Wayne Wang, Assistant Director of Hong Kong Airlines. “As a market leader globally with deep knowledge of North America, we are confident Sabre will provide us with critical insights that can help us with making the right informed decisions,” Wang added.

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The world’s third largest MICE (Meeting, Incentive, Congress, Event) exhibition ACE of M.I.C.E. Exhibition by Turkish Airlines will take place on February 21-23, 2018 for the fifth time at Istanbul Congress Center – ICC on a 5.000 sqm net stant area with the motto of previous year: “MICE Industry Convenes With All of Its Colors! “

You can find everything you need for your organization at AME’18 with its 750 hosted buyers from 40 countries, almost 9.800 B2B appointments, 220 national and international exhibitors, about 100,000 US dollar worth global media coverage value, 160 sponsors&partners, 20 sessions, 35 speakers and 15.000+ national and international visitors. While MICE professionals are being gathered from all over the world under the same roof, on its fifth year it is a well-known fact that ACE of M.I.C.E. is more than an exhibition.

Leading Event Destination: Istanbul

It’s the perfect time to explore Turkish MICE market at the leading meeting destination; Istanbul and find qualified hosted buyers to make beneficial B2B meetings within 3 days. Istanbul, with its 8500 years of history, is the capital of 3 empires, is among the top 10 tourism and congress destinations around the world, a dynamic modern metropolis with 14.8 million of population and hosted 34,9 million foreign visitors in 2016. While its 3 bridges connect the two continents together, this geographically unique destination becomes the heart of Europe and Asia. The last but not least: this city never sleeps and it is vivid and alive 24/7!

TECH ZONE: Get Ready to be Surprised!

AME’18 comes along with innovations like TECH ZONE, which will include event technology exhibitors and latest trends both in Turkey and in the world. Brands from USA, UK, Belgium have already taken their places. Speakers’ Corner will also be located close to the ZONE. There will be many sessions related to 2018’s event technology trends and brand new technological developments such as virtual reality/augmented reality, wearable technology, meaningful use of data, event software and flexible display technologies. While the event and meeting industry are preparing for the year of 2018, you will have the opportunity to meet the professionals of the global MICE technology industry in the first quarter of the year.

Exclusive Buyers are Ready for You!

If you want to lock in your prime booth place, it’s adviced to register now as an exhibitor to meet with 750+ professional MICE industry hosted buyers from 40 countries on a perfectly functioning B2B online appointment system. Face-to-face interaction with high-level decision-makers and influencers of the industry will allow you to connect with new and existing customers under one roof. MICE Industry Professionals, Associations / Societies / Federations and Corporate Companies can be hosted buyers at AME. Participants must be in a decision making position who are responsible for the decisions regarding the destinations where the meetings will be organised.

Business or Pleasure?

You can benefit from both at AME’18! Experience the “Business Network Night” on the first day of the exhibition to have a chance to build new business contacts and enjoy the branded “AMEzing Party” after dinner on a Bosphorus boat tour with the peerless Istanbul view. This programme will be complimentary.

Who is the Organizer?

Tourism Media Group started its operations in 2007 with the goal of contributing to the development and growth of MICE sector and providing communication and unity within the sector by making surveys and analyzing the market. The company is integrating world MICE industry with Turkish market with its partners in 25 different countries and providing services as an umbrella organization of the sector.

Tourism Media Group is the gathering and reference point of the sector and is divided into two with its publications and exhibition services. M.I.C.E. Magazine is being published regularly for the last 6 years and eventturkiye.com website is continuing its online operations. Within the publication, you can find; sector companies and their promotions, sectorial news, events, research, columns, world news and everything about the sector.

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Under the overarching conference theme of “The Future of Travel”, the organisers of ITB Asia, Messe Berlin (Singapore), have announced that this year’s keynote speeches will be delivered by industry leaders from IBM and Google, who will speak on the very latest trends in Artificial Intelligence (AI) including the impact, use and benefits of AI in the travel industry.

Starting from 9am on 25 October, the keynote addresses will be delivered by Tony Menezes, Vice President of Industrial and Distribution Sector at IBM Asia Pacific and Rob Torres, Managing Director of Advertising and Marketing at Google. Sharanjit Leyl, Presenter and Producer at BBC News will moderate the keynote session.

Tony Menezes will speak about the opportunities to fundamentally transform the travel industry with cognitive technology, and how IBM Watson is making travel experiences more personal, relevant and convenient. As Vice President, Industrial and Distribution Sector at IBM Asia Pacific, Tony Menezes is responsible for building and growing relationships across IBM’s portfolio of industry solutions, software, services and platforms. Prior to this, Tony was responsible for business development and sales of Cognitive Industry solutions, based on IBM Watson, the AI platform for business.

Rob Torres, Industry Director, Travel at Google will be speaking about how consumer expectations for seamless, assistive experiences in travel are higher than ever before. He will share how the Google Travel team is leveraging new digital trends and machine learning to build more immersive experiences for users across the travel journey. Google’s suite of travel products includes Google Flights, Google Hotel Ads, Destinations on Google, and Google Trips.

“Artificial intelligence is making real waves in the travel industry and changing the way business is done. We’re seeing an increasing number of travel and hospitality brands integrating AI into their online strategies in efforts to improve customer service and engagement and it is clearly a major trend that is here to stay. This year, we felt it was timely to have two influential experts in AI share their knowledge and insights at ITB Asia 2017, and we’re delighted to welcome Tony Menezes from IBM Asia Pacific and Rob Torres from Google as keynote speakers for what will no doubt be a truly exciting start to this year’s show”, said Katrina Leung, Executive Director of Messe Berlin (Singapore) and ITB Asia.

ITB Asia 2017 is expected to top the success of ITB Asia in 2016, where almost 900 buyers attended the show, leading to a 1:1 ratio between exhibitors and buyers whilst over 50% of buyers signed deals with exhibitors after the event. 43% of attending buyers had purchasing power of USD 500K – USD 1m and 85.7% of attending buyers were direct decision makers.

For more information on ITB Asia 2017, visit www.itb-asia.com

For more information or interest to be a Conference Partner of ITB Asia 2017, please email: michele.koe@itb-asia.com or visit: www.itb-asia.com/conference

About ITB Asia 2017

ITB Asia 2017 will take place at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands, from 25 – 27 October. It is organised by Messe Berlin (Singapore) Pte Ltd and supported by the Singapore Exhibition & Convention Bureau. The event will feature hundreds of exhibiting companies from the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, the Americas, Africa and the Middle East, covering not only the leisure market, but also corporate and MICE travel. Exhibitors from every sector of the industry, including destinations, airlines and airports, hotels and resorts, theme parks and attractions, inbound tour operators, inbound DMCs, cruise lines, spas, venues, other meeting facilities and travel technology companies are all expected to attend.

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Press Release Update: Celebrating the Golden Jubilee of Sri Lanka Tourism this year, Sri Lanka envisages a significant increase in Chinese tourist arrivals this year. With this target in sight, Sri Lanka will participate in Chengdu International Tourism Expo 2016, at Century City New International Convention & Exhibition Center from 2 to 4 December, using the show as the metaphorical springboard to reach out to the southwestern Chinese tourists. Sri Lanka will join France, Germany, Malaysia, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America and many others to showcase their destinations and other tourism products and services.

With a land area of 65,610 square kilometres, Sri Lanka makes up what it lacks in size with quality and visitors to the South Asian island-country will not return home disappointed – whether they come in search of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, pristine beaches, scenic views, thrilling surfing and scuba diving, wild animals or the rejuvenating spa treatments.

Deers at wasgamuwa National Park

The adventurous in search of wildlife in Sri Lanka should visit the lagoon to see the endangered Sri Lankan Leopards snoozing under the shade of the tree, bathing elephants, gorgeous peacocks and other wild animals. Accompanying the sensational sight will be the chirping sound of birds and fresh air unpolluted by the bustling city. Visitors looking for calming peace can visit the pristine beaches to experience the magic of the Sri Lankan coastline, listening to the sound of waves hitting gently against the golden sand while watching the sun set beneath the horizon.

CITE Logo

With 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Sri Lanka will not disappoint history lovers or photography enthusiast. Sri Lanka shares similarity with Chengdu with their important place in history. Though most of its once-glorious history and architecture has been eroded with time and forgotten, Sigiriya, a fifth century AD fortress stood the test of time and stands proud as a reminder of what had been a powerful kingdom.

With Tourism Minister Amaratunga recently declaring that Sri Lanka is now one of the safest countries in the world, since the civil conflict ended in 2009, the delegation at the exposition will be looking to assure the visitors to CITE 2016 on this fact. Through a series of presentations of must-go destinations and cultural stage performances, visitors and buyers can gain insightful information on Sri Lanka to engage the Sri Lankan delegates in mutually beneficial business discussions during the show.

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