Expedia’s WTM fireside chat. Tracking turbulence in Sydney. Tour reviews analysed. More.
WTM tracks traveller frustrations
Technology Track sessions at World Travel Market London 2024 will address solutions to common travel frustrations, in particular how the industry can streamline the search, booking and payment processes for travellers.
Organised by WTM’s new technology advisor, Timothy O’Neil-Dunne of T2Impact, the Technology Summit will feature a fireside chat with Alfonso Paredes, president of Expedia Group’s Private Label Solutions.
Paredes will discuss the importance of enhancing the digital experience for customers and the future role of AI in loyalty programmes. The summit will culminate in a panel debate on the industry’s engagement with travellers.
WTM 2024 will take place 5-7 November at ExCeL London. Technology sessions are timetabled across the three days of this year’s event, with the Technology Summit taking place from 10:00am to 1:15pm on the opening day of this year’s event on the Purple Stage.
Lasers take on turbulence
For the first time in Australia a new system is able to predict turbulence, potentially sparing passengers a bumpy and sometime scary flight.
The low-level windshear alert system examines wind velocity and direction around the clock to detect potential windshear events.
The laser system scans the airspace and sends accurate, detailed data to air traffic control every 10 seconds.
“It’s going to allow us to identify the best runways to land on and plan for any potential delays, so we can streamline that end-to-end travel process,” Sydney Airport Airfields operations manager Phil Tuazon told 9News.
Reviewing the reviews
TourReview has signed a collaboration with Fareharbor a booking solution and business management platform that makes it easier to run tours, activities, and attractions.
Integrated with TourReview’s Review Collector through an API connection, it is possible to collect reviews from customers who booked the tours directly on the tour operator’s website.
Once the reviews have been collected, TourReview offers a variety of analytics that can help tour operators improve their online reputation and business and increase sales and bookings.
These include sentiment analysis, geo-localisation analysis, instant translations, exportable reports and comparative graphs.
Sydney’s new airport takes off with tech
The upcoming Western Sydney International (WSI) Airport says its ground-breaking technology will be a big drawcard for airlines to operate from the facility when it opens in late 2026.
Singapore Airlines announced this week that it will be the first international carrier to fly to the new airport, which complements the current Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport.
WSI chief executive Simon Hickey said Western Sydney International Airport was focused on delivering a smooth and simple experience for its customers, “underpinned by the latest technology”.
“Our combined international and domestic terminal will give Singapore Airlines customers a seamless transfer experience, while our state-of-the-art baggage system and efficient design, including five-minute taxi times on the tarmac, means passengers will be able to get on their flight faster,” Hickey added.
The new airport is intended to operate around-the-clock with no curfew, using a 3.7-kilometre runway that can take aircraft as big as the Airbus A380.
