A cracker of a year

WITH 2018 drawing to a close, British Airways is celebrating flying high in the last 12 months with additional investment for customers now totalling £6.5bn. Here’s a recap of what’s changed at British Airways over the last year. 

In 2018 the airline offered its most extensive choice of flights in more than a decade, with more than a dozen new routes, including Marrakech, Durban, Nashville and the Seychelles. More new routes have been announced for 2019, including Charleston, Pittsburgh and Osaka. 

Customers travelling light were able to take advantage of the airline’s new long-haul basic fare on routes to the US and around the world, with fares from £143. They can reduce this cost even further by using their Avios. 

For 2018 British Airways introduced 18 new fuel-efficient aircraft to its fleet of almost 300 planes – including its 30th 787, plus A320 and 21neos, and Embraer for BA CityFlyer. The airline’s 767 fleet was retired to make way for more new aircraft, arriving next year. 

Work continued at pace to refresh existing long-haul cabins – with all seats being equipped with state-of-the-art entertainment systems and direct access to power. 

During 2018, British Airways began installing its industry-leading streaming WiFi on long-haul aircraft – all short-haul aircraft will be fitted with the system by next summer. This exciting development allows customers to use their own devices to live stream TV programmes and movies. 

The airline’s website, BA.com, received a refresh and achieved record sales. There were enhancements for the hugely popular BA app, including adding Apple’s Siri voice service on the iPhone. A new reward app was also released to help British Airways’ Executive Club members discover new ways to collect and spend Avios – including selecting seats on flights, as well as spending on flights, car hire, hotels, excursions, etc. 

The airline is focused on providing customers with a seamless and efficient journey through the airport. Throughout the year it continued to pioneer facial recognition airport technology. British Airways was the first airline to install biometric technology at Heathrow – enabling it to board domestic (UK) flights in half the usual time. It also began using the same technology to speedily board aircraft in Orlando, Los Angeles, New York and Miami.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Grab a travel bargain

TRAVEL site Expedia.com for the first time is offering up to 50 percent off flights in addition to amazing hotel coupons including an extra 75 percent off online and 90 percent off redeemable in the Expedia App, plus more great discounts on packages and activities during its annual Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale.

Expedia's biggest travel sale of the year officially kicks off Friday, November 23 at 9:00 a.m. PST and runs through 11:59 p.m. PST on Cyber Monday.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Soundtracks to match your memories

A picture may be worth a thousand words, but what if it was possible to "hear" what it sounds like? In a move that will redefine the modern vacation album, Royal Caribbean International has designed and built a first-of-its-kind tool that transforms travelers' most memorable photos into an original, shareable soundtrack with a video to match. 

A digital experience powered by artificial intelligence (AI), the innovative tool is specifically designed to use machine learning to seamlessly create original soundtracks based on the content of each photograph.

By simply visiting www.SoundSeeker.com, users can upload three photos of their choice, and the AI analyzes them based on color, landscape, backdrop, emotion, body language and facial expression. SoundSeeker then turns them into a shareable and one-of-a kind soundtrack – virtually DJing life's most brag-worthy moments.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Travel Japan with a local

TRIPFRIENDS, an SNS application dedicated to introducing tour guides to tourists, which the company SeaCalls has developed based on the concept that "Traveling alone is no longer lonely."

Tripfriends, fully compatible with Android and iOS, attracts many keen travelers, helping them find nice food at places visited, experience Japan's culture and look for partners to enjoy various activities.

Tripfriends is recommended to people who would say:

I like traveling alone but would sometimes like somebody's company
I want to interact with locals
I want more people to know about my town
I want a social networking site where users love traveling
I want to make an album of my travel memories and share it with my friends
I love hanging out with people more than anything

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Goodbye to mobile data roaming charges

GLOBAL Wi-Fi provider IUNGO network is launching it’s Alpha Software release on schedule, as committed in its roadmap. This invitation-only release will allow Alpha users to be the original participants in testing the first decentralized Global Wi-Fi service, where people and companies will become local internet providers.

IUNGO is a globally distributed wireless internet service provider built with the help of a Worldwide community. IUNGO network is bootstrapping a community where everyone can assume responsibilities and benefit from the associated rewards for running parts of the service delivery infrastructure.

IUNGO network will save most travellers from excessively expensive mobile data roaming bills from trips abroad by offering simple and fast Wi-Fi access. IUNGO Network allows users to find a secure WiFi hotspot that matches his or her preferences. IUNGO Network allows users to find in just a few seconds a secure Wi-Fi hotspot. With the push of a single button, the IUNGO Network app will seamlessly connect the user to Wi-Fi.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Technology enabled travel planning

WITH innovative marketing tactics, service providers in holiday planning and booking process market in the UK are reversing the impact of Brexit and fuel hikes. Technological solutions such as OTA bookings, apps, bots, and advanced payment tools are encouraging travelers to facilitate well planned holidays. 

As part of its recent development in holiday planning and booking process, Thomas Cook has introduced two novel features such as Direct Debit Payments and Zero Deposit Offer for its summer 2019 program. With the former, end-users can choose to book their holiday plan against a minimum token amount. The latter eases end-users by booking their holiday packages without any advance payment.

Technology enabled travel planning is gaining momentum in holiday planning and booking process market in the UK. Leading holiday organizers are infusing advanced technology with meticulous planning to deliver superlative hospitality experience to end-users in holiday planning and booking process market in the UK. Noted travel planner Thomas Cook has confirmed its incorporation of Bold360ai to improve customer services. With this AI enabled service solution, Thomas Cook has garnered happy customers across Europe with the project first rolling out in the UK.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

My place or yours?

CREATED by James Asquith (who broke the Guinness World Record for being the youngest person to travel to all 196 countries in the world over a 5 year period), Holiday Swap reduces one of the largest costs of travel - the accommodation.

By matching up with like-minded travelers, anyone can make connections to travel now or have a place to stay in the future, using the asset you have, your house or even your room, and you don't even have to own the space you're swapping.

Photo Credit: Holiday Swap

An app that allows us to swap anything from a beach villa or penthouse to a room with other travelers anywhere in the world for just $1 a night. Already on the radar of some of the largest tech companies in the world, Asquith wants to combine Tech and Travel to allow everyone to experience more of the world while reducing the cost. This allows travelers to spend more of their budget on flights to far-flung destinations and on experiences, rather than a place to sleep.


"The millennial generation is the future and this generation wants more with less. With the growth of technology we are building a true global sharing community, where we can actually use the assets we have to explore more of the world," Asquith says.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Travel and tour the world

FOLLOWING the current trend of peer-to-peer user experience platforms, Tourme allows travelers to connect with local experts for a memorable and personalized experience no matter where they are in the world.

Tourme began as a dream: a father-daughter quest for pineapple picking farms in Maui that became a blockbuster-script-worthy adventure. With the help of a friendly local, the duo not only found their pineapples, but shared an experience that would live in their hearts forever. It was this memory that sparked the idea for the peer-to-peer touring platform, Tourme.

From the sandy beaches of Lahaina to the drawing room floor, the vision for Tourme eventually led to a fully realized #travel #app and website with 10,000 potential tour guides in 150 countries around the world.

Tourme offers 4 types of tours to help travelers find the right guide for their next adventure. Take a bar crawl through Barcelona, learn to Salsa in Santo Domingo, or pick pineapples in Hawaii; with Tourme, it's up to you. Available to download now in the App Store and Google Play.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Now showing: Amazon Prime Video on board Eurostar

EUROSTAR, the high-speed rail service linking the UK and mainland Europe, will be unveiling a range of critically acclaimed Amazon Prime Video content on board its fleet of e320 trains via the new app.

#Eurostar will be the first transport operator in Europe to feature Prime Video on board, free for all passengers to enjoy as they speed across the Channel.

Launching on Eurostar’s state-of-the-art fleet of e320 trains, travellers can view a range of Amazon’s top original drama, comedy and kids TV shows from Prime Video, simply by using their own device to connect to the free on-board wifi and the new app. The new programmes will add to Eurostar’s existing line-up of over 300 hours of TV shows and films.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Appy to fly from Gatwick

GATWICK'S new app – one of several passenger-facing digital innovations coming on stream soon - offers passengers personalised flight alerts, real-time queue updates for check-in and security, intuitive navigation using beacon technology and shopping, restaurant and airport offers.

The new app means that holidaymakers and business travellers can enjoy a more seamless experience when travelling through Gatwick as it boasts a range of features including:

• Personalised flight information – real-time updates onflight status and gate information straight to your mobile.
• Real-time queue updates – for check-in and security to plan your time at the airport.
• Intuitive maps - guiding passengers through the airport using 2,000 navigation beacons located throughout terminal buildings.
• Shopping and eating offers – specific to your terminal and instantly redeemable from your phone.

Personalised flight information pushed to your phone includes boarding status and gate access, which means passengers can enjoy their time at the airport without having to hunt for flight information screens.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Skybus services now listed in Travelport’s airport express app

SKYBUS, operator of Australasia’s premier airport transfer service, has announced its arrival on leading travel commerce platform, Travelport, joining the likes of the highly popular Heathrow Express among others. 

The addition of SkyBus means travel agents using Travelport’s award-winning Airport Express App will be notified of the operator’s options; and can instantly book electronic tickets for SkyBus’ airport express services when they plan Melbourne travel itineraries for their customers.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Walk this way

Walkingworld, the popular online #walking #guide with over 6500 walks in England, Scotland and Wales, has released an #app giving access to its entire library. The app, available for Android™ and iOS™ phones and tablets, can be installed for free. Walks are downloaded to the device for offline use.

The Walkingworld library has been built up over 17 years but this is the first time the routes have been made available through a dedicated app. The app has been created in partnership with national mapping agency Ordnance Survey, which provides digital mapping through their ‘OS Maps’ service.

Walkingworld guides are designed to be very easy to follow. They are built around a set of geo-located waymarks, each of which marks a major decision point on the walk. Waymarks consist of a photograph - so walkers can readily identify that they are in the right place - and clear instructions to the next waymark on the walk. The app allows the walker to switch easily between the waymarks and their location on a map, where their current GPS position is also displayed.

www.walkingworld.co.uk

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

On the runway . . .

TURNING up to the airport with an expired passport will be a thing of the past for Air New Zealand customers. The airline's mobile app is now able to scan and save passport information and send a timely reminder when it's time to renew.

Every month around 550 customers turn up to the airport with an expired passport, triggering a stressful situation for would be travellers.

Air New Zealand customers can now use their smartphone camera to capture and save their passport details. Not only will this streamline their check-in experience, it also triggers expiry reminders including providing handy click through links to renew New Zealand, Australian, British and American passports.

Currently around 10 percent of Air New Zealand customers type their passport details incorrectly as they check in online. By saving these to their profile, customers will enjoy a faster check in experience and rest easy in the knowledge that their travel document has been entered correctly.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Qantas and Uber make airport trips more rewarding

QANTAS customers will be able to earn points on Uber trips to-and-from eligible airports in Australia by booking on the latest version of the airline’s app. From 3 November, an Uber icon will appear in the booking section of the Qantas app for customers to request their airport ride. The partnership means Qantas Frequent Flyers can manage their whole travel experience through the Qantas app, from booking their flight through to leaving home, boarding their flight and then making their way to their end destination.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Up in the air . . .

QATAR Airways has further enhanced its mobile app with a new look and feel, making it now even easier for customers to use. The award-winning airline has added a suite of innovative features to its mobile app, making it as simple and user-friendly as possible, allowing passengers to have all the important information they need at their fingertips through their mobile devices.

Qatar Airways is now offering up to 10 per cent off ticket purchases through mobile devices. Download the app and book using the promo code QRMOBAPP before 29 October 2017. 

qatarairways.com/mobileoffer

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Have a Play in London

A hill of Mr Beans, made famous by comedian Rowan Atkinson and dressed in trademark tweed jacket while each clutching the iconic ‘Teddy’ bear, travelled on the Underground, went for a ride on the Coca Cola London Eye and took selfies with passers-by in Trafalgar Square.

The Beans were out on the streets to celebrate the launch of a brand new mobile game called #PlayLondon with Mr Bean, which helps visitors discover the city’s tourist highlights and forms part of a new drive to attract more UK and international visitors to the capital.

VisitLondon.com, Endemol Shine Group and Pointvoucher have worked together to develop the free to play mobile game which sees an animated #MrBean visit #London attractions. By spending time playing the game, players will be able to pick up vouchers which they can then cash in for discounts when they holiday in London, and also find great offers on locations around the city.

Download “Play London with Mr Bean” for free! For more information visit www.play.london

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Where to go . . .

BOUTIQ, “Where to go from who you know,” officially celebrates its launch on the Google Play Store today. The new App personalizes food and travel recommendations by placing your entrusted friends and network at their core. The Sydney-grown App received a Hero Feature selection in Apple’s Social Networking Category (USA) and Travel Categories (Australia and New Zealand) this summer.

Boutiq is the memory bank for your favourite places all over the world. Whether it’s a floating pizza and cocktail bar in the Mamanuca Islands, or cliff jumping into sparkling turquoise waters in Calanque de Port-Miou, Boutiq digitally scrapbooks your dining, accommodation, and activity moments worth remembering. By attaching your personal tips and photos, discoveries become recommendations for your inner circle to find, save and experience wherever they are.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

'Handy' services at Santa Marina Beach in Crete

THE Santa Marina Beach in Crete recently introduced the new ‘Handy’ smartphone service for a revolutionary guest experience. With the ‘Handy’ services in-house guests of the Hotel will have unlimited mobile Internet access, free local & IDD calls, an informative ‘digital Island Guide’ as well as the latest offers of the Hotel. All of this is totally free of charge.

In each guest room, a smartphone named “Handy” can be found. This smartphone, which in-house guests can take outside the Hotel during their stay, provides several services -such as unlimited 3G Internet access- allowing them to stay connected with their relatives, friends and clients while abroad.

In-house guests can also make local and IDD calls to specified regions, including the EU, USA, Canada, Israel; share updates of their trip on social media anytime, have access to destination-specific content, exclusive hotel offers and promotions, comprehensive city guides and recommended shops, bars, restaurants and places to visit.

Santa Marina Beach is one of the first hotels in Crete to introduce this communication service, used by over 10 million hotel guests globally.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Discover L.A. with the A.I. App

DISCOVER Los Angeles, the city’s official tourism marketing organization, in partnership with the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, released the Discover L.A. app earlier this year. A sleekly designed, pocket guide exclusively made for those looking to optimize their experience in the City of Angels. Packed with rich content and tailored for those looking to explore the best of #LosAngeles, the iOS app launch coincides with the start of the busy summer travel season and is available for free download at www.discoverlosangeles.com/app. An Android version is forthcoming.

Thematically synced to deliver personalized content based on weather, time and distance, the app culls suggestions from the city’s endless entertainment options—including world-class museums, diverse dining options, and captivating events.   Don Skeoch, chief marketing officer of Discover Los Angeles said, “The Discover L.A. app is the first-of-its kind to utilize proprietary A.I. built to enhance the Los Angeles experience. Through smart technology, the app literally knows to serve up soup and indoor dining suggestions on cool days; the closest beaches and ice cream on warm days.”

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Kennedy Space Center app

DOWNLOAD the Kennedy Space Center Official Guide and start your journey. The official Kennedy Space Center app is the essential guide to planning and customising your visit to the Greatest Space Adventure on Earth.

Use the favourites list to create your own guided tour and find your way around the visitor complex with GPS-enabled map navigation. 

Find additional information including hours of operation, where to shop, where to eat and the nearest restrooms. Learn about attractions, tours, astronaut appearances and shows. Opt for notification updates that include rocket launch viewing information, events and more.

Kennedy Space Center Official Guide App is available for free in both the App Store and Google Play.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK