How can travel operators provide a first-class digital customer experience?

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Online holiday bookings at a record high. According to the latest ITB World Travel Trends Report, 65% of all holidays are now booked online, compared to just 24% that are booked via travel agencies.

Mobile travel bookings are also on the rise, with one in five UK holiday-makers now booking holidays using a mobile device, according to a recent survey by Tradedoubler Insight Unit.

As competition moves from the high street to digital channels, its now more important than ever for online travel operators to ensure customers have the best possible experience across all channels.

Broken links, payment problems, poor navigation and a lack of information can force customers to competitors sites, ultimately losing business. To avoid this, online travel operators need to take action fast.

The smallest technical glitch or poor process design could adversely affect the online experience for customers, resulting in site abandonment, impeded bookings, and damage to the companys brand.

As a result, travel operators must consider implementing customer experience management software to help them better manage the digital customer experience.

This can enable them to collect and analyse information on a number of different variables such as how customers came across their website, why they have abandoned a transaction, what types of content make customers buy or convert, and how visitors behave on different devices amongst other things.

By analysing this data, travel operators can begin to understand customer behaviour and take the necessary steps to improve the quality of customer experience and maximise sales.

This type of technology can also help travel companies record each customer session at the browser level and view problems at the source.

This means they can identify complex issues that customers have a tough time describing, apply the necessary precision in investigations and eliminate educated guesses to ultimately reduce customer struggle.

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How can travel operators provide a first-class digital customer experience?

Of writers, bookworms and the rest of us

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Living in a literary world is another world entirely. It is different from the general world, our world. Our interests are not literary peoples interests. So are theirs not ours. They travel into their own world of meditation, deep thinking and analysis of all that exists. They belong to either of two poles: Those of science and those of literature. They are both researchers who unravel what we fail to unearth. They put on their thinking cap and see for their readers and the world. They critique the society, x-raying the realities in their own world. Our perception may be their reality or vice versa. They see where others are blind. They wake up when others are sleeping, snoring away. They walk where others are wobbling. They fly where the rest of us crawl. So, they are far away to find out for us.

Writers are interesting people to study. They care less about materialistic things of life; at least many are conservative among them. They dwell on issues both general and specific. They delve into issues of ostensibly lesser value. Many writers cross their ts and dot their is yet they are subject to criticism. Others bring the hidden pictures to the glare of the world. They instruct. They teach. They impact what they believe inmonotheism, trinity or agnosticism! They target their readers minds. They evangelise many. And they get hold of them! Some writers crave for change especially in the political context. They use their words or graffiti to pass their messages to the constituted authorities. With their pen, they engage the fiercest oppressor. With their words, they awaken the consciousness of those in deep slumber. With their ideas, they conquer the world for centuries. With their thinking pen, they liberate the oppressed and naive.

Bookworms are interested in reading anything they come across in print, on audio-visuals, on the Internet and during discussions. They peruse billboards, signposts, hand bills, posters, books, newspapers, office notices, Iphones, just anything readable. They learn and learn from the good, the bad and the ugly writings and paintings. They sip, they tap from any iota of knowledge in print, whether in hard or soft copies. The ocean of words, phrases, clauses and sentences give them no phobia but joy and attraction. They keep their literature materials as though their lives depend on them. Dont they?

They talk with knowledge, hypothesising solutions to issues. They make references to philosophers, scientists, theorists, authors, public speakers, educationists, leaders, inventors, maestros, sages, gurus and experts. They talk about literature, science, philosophy, law, geography, diplomacy, politico-economics, information technology, aeronautic engineering, mechanised farming and all subjects of knowledge. They are students of knowledge and of university of life. They study both the four walls of the classrooms and the outside world to receive and impart knowledge. Such will prefer to concede all their materialistic endowments than a book from their library.

A bookworm once related that when robbers invaded his apartment, he was most glad they did not touch any of his books although they carted away as much as his materialistic belongings as they desired. When they departed, he said to those around him, A bunch of fools did not touch a single book from my book shelves, and continued that, if they had been reading in the first instance, they would not have burgled my house for materialism. To him, good resources of the world are buried in good books and transferred into the brains of those who seek after them.

Good writers are bookworms and they have their characters. This is so as the two are inextricably intertwined like conjoined twins. But in-between the writers and bookworms are speakers. Good public speakers hatch out the briefs of the two. Oftentimes, good writers are not good public speakers as one quality overrides the other. Ditto for bookworms. But the trio makes meaningful impact on their audiences.

Broadly speaking, two categories of writers abound: those who write to pass a message and those who write for monetary rewards.

We were tutored in publishing that writing/publishing is largely audience-driven. This is so since writers are bound on social responsibility. Those who write to pass certain message, didactic or political, think they owe the society (or even themselves) a duty to do so. But there is the other divide that hypothesises that writers should be rewarded for their intellectual property, their initiatives, their guts, their gifts, their values added, their dexterity and so on.

Writers who are bookworms get deep inspiration. They agree or are averse to other authors but they innovate theirs.And they pen what others have not explored. They illuminate the minds as the sun does the globe. They endure even when they are long dead. Their ideas and thoughts speak from the shelves and the living brains that have sipped them. Their words travel millions of miles entering discusses and decisions of peoples around the world.

Writers and bookworms reflect, they think, they argue, they conclude, they coss-reference, they suspend and contact sources. Even in their dreams, they continue these activities. They jot down, select literature materials, assess peoples IQs and are rich, not necessarily in terms of their cheque-book, but in ideas. They cut across categories of people, upper class or lower class but they are educated as they oil the wheel of their intellectualism from time to time.

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Of writers, bookworms and the rest of us

Lorient Kal appointed as agent for 2014 World Cup travel packages in Ghana

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Soccer News of Wednesday, 26 February 2014

Source: Match Hospitality

MATCH Hospitality AG, the worldwide exclusive rights holder of the FIFA Hospitality Programme, has appointed Lorient Kal Travel and Tours Limited as Authorized Sales Agent in Ghana for the sale of the Official Hospitality Programme of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil. Following this appointment, Lorient Kal Travel and Tours is currently the only company in Ghana authorised to sell ticket-inclusive hospitality packages to organizations and individuals for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, which will be held from June 12 to July 13. Any other Ghanaian company purporting to be an Agent authorised by MATCH Hospitality or FIFA to market and sell the Official Hospitality Programme is doing so in an illegitimate manner. Jaime Byrom, Executive Chairman of MATCH Hospitality commented: We are very pleased to announce the appointment of Lorient Kal Travel and Tours Limited as a Non-exclusive Sales Agent in their home country Ghana. Lorient Kal Travel and Tours allows MATCH Hospitality to reach out to this exciting market, where interest for the 2014 FIFA World Cup is peaking after the Black Stars qualified in style for Brazil. Kwabena Appiah, Managing Director of Lorient Kal Travel and Tours, emphasised: Lorient Kal Travel and Tours is in the best position to satisfy the ticket-inclusive hospitality package needs of corporate executives and football fans in Ghana who want to see our team competing in Brazil and enjoy live in the stadiums the unique atmosphere of a FIFA World Cup. What is more, it is essential for the public to be mindful of the difference between ticket-inclusive hospitality packages, which are being sold by Lorient Kal, and ordinary flight and accommodation packages to Brazil, which do not in any way serve as a guarantee to attend any of the FIFA World Cup matches in the stadiums, Appiah added. The MATCH Hospitality Sales Agent Network currently comprises 45 agents covering close to 90 countries all over the world. The FIFA Hospitality Programme offers clients premium tickets bundled together with a wide range of services such as facilities at the stadiums (including private suites and lounges and marquee tents), gourmet catering, preferential parking, entertainment and gifts. MATCH Hospitality AG has developed three separate categories of hospitality and six unique products, which can be combined in five types of series, and will suit the needs and expectations of corporate clients, groups and families. Services will range from private dining, business to business platforms to informal settings for groups and families.

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Lorient Kal appointed as agent for 2014 World Cup travel packages in Ghana

Official Travel Packages for Rugby World Cup 2015

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27 February 2014

Official Travel Packages for Rugby World Cup 2015 on sale 3 March

Stephen Beaver Donald called up again to be All Blacks Tours Ambassador

From Monday 3 March All Blacks fans can book their place at Rugby World Cup 2015 and support the current World Champions as they look to make history and become the first team to achieve back- to- back Tournament wins.

One of the heroes of the last Rugby World Cup former All Blacks first five Stephen Donald is stepping up once again, this time as the All Blacks Tours Rugby World Cup 2015 Ambassador.

Donald knows more than anyone that you cant beat being there. Everyone knows my story one minute I was white baiting, the next minute I took THAT phone call from Ted saying he needed me at Rugby World Cup 2011. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life.

My advice to All Blacks fans is not to leave it to the last minute. This is going to be an incredible Tournament and the boys will be fired up to go back to back so they will be wanting as many Kiwis as possible, in the stands in black cheering them on.

Your support will mean everything to the team when they are so far from home. I remember on tour looking around and seeing those black jerseys, it really makes a difference.

Official Travel Packages for the Tournament will go on sale to the public from Monday through All Blacks Tours, New Zealands exclusive Official Travel Agent for Rugby World Cup 2015 (RWC 2015).

The much anticipated event, taking place in England and Wales in September and October 2015, promises to be popular with New Zealanders wanting to be part of the All Blacks campaign.

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Official Travel Packages for Rugby World Cup 2015

Around the World Motorcycly Rally Signups Avaialble Now from TripTrist Travel Planner

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(PRWEB) February 27, 2014

Signup for the longest motorbike rally in the world. This 2016 Around the World Moto Rally starts in London, May 2016 and it is expected to last four months. Weekly checkpoint parties are provided along the route, in various countries around the world. The rally is limited to 100 participants and the deadline to sign up is May 31, 2014, so sign up now by contacting http://TripTrist.com.

Riders may choose to travel at their own pace and pick their own route. Full GPS support and 24-hour help is included along with assistance with visas, carnets (merchandise passports), border crossing and bike transportation. And of course, riders receive magnificent welcome and farewell parties to mark the beginning and end of this remarkable world tour, as well as a souvenir DVD to show everyone at home how they crossed the entire world on a bike.

The rally is scheduled to start and finish in the cosmopolitan British capital London. The first part of the tour will cross all of Europe west to east, entering the vast expanse of glorious Siberia on the epic Trans-Siberian Highway and ending up at Magadan, a remote port town on the Pacific Ocean of Russias Far East.

The second part of the tour will take you to the home of biker culture the United States of America, which you will get to cross from sea to shining sea. Riding the legendary Trans-America Trail, you will depart from the West Coast, cross the monumental Rocky Mountains and reach the Atlantic through the rolling plains of the Midwest. Even on its own, this part of the tour is an iconic route ingrained in biking culture as the Mecca of any ambitious motorcycling fan!

Become part of an exciting global motorcycling adventure and sign up for the Around the World Rally! For more information or to sign up, contact TripTrist Travel Planners.

TripTrist is a website that provides a search engine for adventure travel and tours around the world. Choose from over 2,000 tours by locally owned and run tour operators. Simply enter the location you would like to go and/or the activity you are looking for and browse from a list of exciting tour choices. No need to visit dozens of websites to plan your next adventure travel vacation. Just visit TripTrist and search for the best vacation for you and your friends and family.

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Around the World Motorcycly Rally Signups Avaialble Now from TripTrist Travel Planner