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Travel
Allianz Partners is proud to provide business partners with excellent Travel solutions. We operate as an international insurer on almost every continent. We have deep roots in our home market: Western, Northern & Southern Europe. In Central & Eastern Europe and Asia Pacific, Allianz is one of the leading international insurance companies. With different emphases we are present in America and Africa. Contact us for more information of our products.
In this section, you will find the latest news and trends about Travel industry, including means of travel, the evolution in travel technology, and how travel has changed during the last decade.
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Oct 19, 2018
China to open world’s first underground hotel in an abandoned quarry
Built into the side of an abandoned quarry and due to welcome its first guests in October, the Intercontinental Shanghai Wonderland is a unique hotel, lying largely below ground level. [...]
Oct 12, 2018
UK: Trainline launches voice alerts app for rail users
British train and bus booking platform Trainline has launched an innovative solution that provides customers with alerts updating them on any disruptions to their journeys. Launching in [...]
Oct 5, 2018
Ryanair rows back on new baggage fees for existing bookings
As of 1 November, Ryanair will no longer accept free hand luggage up to 10kg, a measure that will not now affect any passengers who booked their flights with the low-cost carrier before [...]
Sep 25, 2018
Pollution: Fuel efficiency means less legroom for passengers
A report commissioned by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) and focusing on 20 airlines covering North Atlantic routes has found that aircraft with large business [...]
Sep 21, 2018
China: Travellers use facial recognition to check in and pay at hotels
After winning over the air industry in recent years, facial recognition technology has now made an appearance in the hotel industry. Thanks to an innovative solution developed by Chines [...]
Sep 15, 2018
International tourism: The UNWTO confirms record-breaking figures worldwide in 2017
The World Tourism Organisation has just published its annual figures that show the state of the international tourism market. The sector experienced significant growth worldwide in 2017 [...]
Sep 14, 2018
USA: interactive map shows when fall foliage will peak
An interactive map is now helping people plan their trips to admire the USA’s beautiful fall foliage at its best. Based on an algorithm that can process millions of data pieces in rea [...]
Sep 10, 2018
Work-related trips : business travellers worried about the security of their data
65% of business travellers are worried about the security of their data during their trips according to a new study carried out by CWT. These concerns are well justified and could lead [...]
Sep 7, 2018
Air transport: Passenger satisfaction is declining, say the CAA
Passengers have become less and less satisfied with British airports and airlines over the last two years, says a recent study by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Though they are par [...]
Sep 4, 2018
American Airlines improve their in-flight experience by offering a “Premium Economy” class
With their new Premium Economy class, American Airlines will treat their premium economy passengers to improved in-flight comfort. It is the first domestic airline to create such an off [...]
Aug 31, 2018
In-flight WiFi: A way to create customer loyalty
According to a new study led by telecommunications company Inmarsat, the quality of in-flight WiFi is crucial to passenger satisfaction and loyalty. More than half of passengers believe [...]
Aug 28, 2018
Japan: Instagram boosting tourism and lesser-known destinations
With Japan’s tourist industry enjoying a boom, more and more visitors are giving up guidebooks for Instagram. The number of people using the app in the country has more than doubled o [...]
Aug 24, 2018
New York: American Airlines trials 3D luggage scanner
American Airlines and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have announced that they are testing a 3D scanner for carry-on bags at New York’s JFK Airport. The device is bas [...]
Aug 11, 2018
Delta Air Lines launches Premium Economy class for its long-haul fleet
Delta Air Lines has launched "Premium Select" class on its new Airbus A350, with all of its long-haul craft set to offer Premium Economy class by 2021.
Jul 27, 2018
An increasing number of flights between India and the rest of the world
India’s airlines, driven by a domestic market that generates little profit and helped by the country’s laws, have developed flight connections with large cities all across the world.
Jul 18, 2018
Business travel: Sabre launch a virtual payment system for business trips
Companies in Asia Pacific will soon be able to optimise their business travel expenses thanks to a virtual, flexible and secure payment system developed by Sabre. More practical both fo [...]
Jul 13, 2018
Timeshifter: The Six Senses hotel application that helps business travellers cope with jet lag
Developed to help business travellers deal with the effects of jet lag, the Timeshifter application is currently being tested by guests in Six Senses hotels.
Jul 10, 2018
Blue Origin hopes to sell tickets for space in 2019
In the highly competitive race to offer commercial space flights, Blue Origin is looking to move on from the stage of unmanned to manned test flights. The company founded by Jeff Bezos [...]
Jul 6, 2018
Business travel: AirPod, the connected capsules that allow you to rest in airports
The company AirPod is planning to install a dozen or so Sleeping Pods across Europe over the summer. Thanks to these connected capsules, business travellers will be able to rest or work [...]
Jun 18, 2018
Airports: RFID technology to improve baggage handling
According to Thierry Vasseur, vice-president of Zebra Technologies, baggage handling in airports could be significantly improved using RFID (radio frequency identification).
Jun 16, 2018
Tourism: Hotel rooms the next frontier for voice control
The hotel industry is embracing the latest advances in smart home devices and the Internet of Objects in offering new, ultra-smart and customised rooms to meet the requirements of their [...]
Jun 15, 2018
Cathay Pacific turns to blockchain to improve its frequent flyer programme
To optimise the user experience of their frequent flyer programme, Cathay Pacific airline and its partner Asia Miles have opted for blockchain technology by Accenture.
Jun 8, 2018
Tokyo: RoBoHoN the mini-robot to guide tourists around the city
Sharp has designed RoBoHoN, a mini-robot created to guide visitors around the streets of Tokyo (Japan). The connected device responds to vocal commands and provides tourist information [...]
Jun 4, 2018
Abu Dhabi airport installing sensors to manage queues
A new system of sensors has just been installed at Abu Dhabi airport to improve the management of queues and passenger flows. This set-up is designed to increase the efficiency and secu [...]
Jun 1, 2018
Business travel: AirPlus delivers its forecasts for 2018
Business travel is set to increase in 2018, according to the 13th International Travel Management Study (ITMS) published by AirPlus, although the French market is only set to benefit mo [...]
May 25, 2018
Popularity of camping on the increase, especially among Millennials
According to the latest North American Camping Report, camping is becoming more and more popular in the USA and Canada, not least among young people.
May 22, 2018
Muslim travellers will spend 157 billion dollars between now and 2020
Boosted by Millennials and Saudi Arabians, the amount that Muslims spend on travelling could reach 157 billion dollars by 2020. Halal tourism is now one of the factors that industry pro [...]
May 18, 2018
Air transport: The number of luggage incidents has dropped by 70% in ten years
SITA (the world’s leading specialist in air transport communications and information technology) has published its 2018 report about air transport luggage management. According to t [...]
May 14, 2018
Travel: The blockchain revolution has started
Currently making its debut in several sectors, the blockchain could revolutionise the travel industry when applied to passenger safety, luggage traceability, automatic payments or even [...]
May 10, 2018
Ride-sharing is increasingly popular among business travellers
According to a recent study by Skift on the preferred modes of transport of US business travellers, ride-sharing is a widespread practice within almost all companies, regardless of thei [...]
May 9, 2018
India’s first high-speed electric train launched
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi launched the country’s first high-speed electric locomotive on 10 April
May 8, 2018
Virtuoso 2018 Luxe Report shows consumers are increasingly interested in sustainable travel
Sustainable travel is on the up, according to a recent study conducted by the travel network Virtuoso, with Millennial consumers driving the trend.
May 4, 2018
Google looking to buy Nokia technology to develop airborne broadband
Internet giant Google has its eye on Nokia technology designed to improve Wi-Fi networks on board aeroplanes – a market that is expected to be worth 130 billion dollars by 2035.
May 3, 2018
Europe: Brussels looking to introduce biometric identity cards in the next five years
All European identity cards should be fitted with an electronic chip in the next five years – a measure which the European Commission considers to be indispensable for security and bo [...]
Apr 27, 2018
Aurora Station: First luxury hotel in space scheduled to open in 2021
US startup Orion Span Inc. has announced plans to open a luxury hotel in space, 300km from Earth, in 2021.
Apr 20, 2018
Majority of airports considering biometric check-in
There is a growing interest among air transport companies and passengers for biometric technologies, which enable simpler and quicker processes and provide greater levels of security.
Dubaï - Émirats arabes unis, Apr 16, 2018
Emirates tests virtual reality in its Dubai airport lounges
Virtual reality headsets are currently being made available by Emirates Airlines in its lounges at Dubai Airport, to give its clientele an "immersive cinematographic experience".
Apr 13, 2018
2017 Skytrax ranking: the 10 best airlines in Europe
Skytrax has just published its annual ranking of the best airlines in the world, with five European carriers featuring in the top 20.
France, Apr 11, 2018
In Dijon, France, bank cards can now be used as a transport ticket
In Dijon, contactless-enabled Visa or Mastercard charge cards can now be used on the city’s tram network, in place of traditional tickets or other travel passes.
Mar 31, 2018
European Business Travel Forecast: what we can expect
At the 27th EVP trade fair, American Express Global Business Travel revealed the figures in its European Business Travel Forecast for 2018.
Mar 28, 2018
Artificial intelligence to enhance baggage tracking
A report published by a company called SITA has shown how artificial intelligence could improve baggage tracking in air transport.
Mar 23, 2018
Business travel: prices set to rise moderately in 2018
According to estimates recently published by American Express Global Business, prices are not set to rise significantly this year, thanks in no small part to increased capacities.
Mar 21, 2018
Airlines: Dynamic pricing according to the passenger’s profile
According to a recent survey by magazine Travel Weekly, airlines are starting to tailor their prices according to the profile and travel habits of their clients.
Mar 16, 2018
What future smart cities can learn from ski resorts
According to journalist Aarian Marshall, ski resorts could be a well-established source of inspiration for future smart cities.
Mar 8, 2018
AccorHotels teams with Dreem to provide a better night’s sleep
As part of a partnership between a start-up by the name of Rythm and the AccorHotels group, two Pullman hotels located in Paris and San Francisco are currently enabling guests to test a [...]
Mar 5, 2018
Baggage tracking: RFID tags to be used at an airport in London
After offering it to passengers on US domestic flights, Delta Air Lines is set to implement its baggage tracking system, which uses RFID tags, at Heathrow International Airport in the U [...]
Mar 2, 2018
British Airways install Wi-Fi for long-haul flights
In a bid to improve in-flight connectivity, British Airways have just begun equipping their planes with a payable Wi-Fi signal. Over the next two years, 118 of the company’s long-haul [...]
Feb 24, 2018
Google Flights to show which tickets are ‘Basic Economy’
Google Flights has announced that ‘Basic Economy’ tickets will now be clearly marked, which is good news for anyone using the online flight booking service to compare prices.
Feb 23, 2018
Norway aims for all-electric short-haul flights
Avinor, the public operator of Norwegian airports, says that electric planes could be used for all the country’s domestic flights by 2040.
Feb 17, 2018
Almost half of the world’s aeroplanes now equipped with Wi-Fi
According to the latest annual report from Routehappy, Wi-Fi is now available on board 43% of aeroplanes courtesy of 82 airlines around the world.
Feb 16, 2018
Hotel industry: A widespread price increase in 2017
According to the HRS group, which has just published its annual Hotel Price Radar report, the hotel industry experienced a widespread price increase in 2017.
Feb 9, 2018
Adidas have created shoes that double up as transport passes
Sportswear brand Adidas have just launched a new model of connected trainer. These shoes have the unusual feature of being accepted as a public transport ticket in Berlin, Germany.
Feb 2, 2018
Amazon’s AI gives the state of traffic at London Heathrow airport in real time
The first British operator to develop a “skill” that can be accessed by Amazon’s artificial intelligence users, London Heathrow Airport is seeking to improve its client experience [...]
Jan 30, 2018
United States: Lower taxes boost business travel
Corporate travel operators are just some of the companies benefitting from the United States tax reforms voted in last December. The corporate tax rates were lowered, meaning that compa [...]
Jan 26, 2018
Bluesmart Series 2 Cabin 22’’: the essential suitcase for the smart traveller
Bluesmart’s Series 2 Cabin 22’’ is a compact smart suitcase that is stylish, easy to handle and packed with features.
Jan 24, 2018
2017 – the safest year in the history of air transport
2017 was the safest year for air travel since 1946, when statistics on air traffic accidents were first collated by the Aviation Safety Network (ASN).
Jan 20, 2018
Brands changing their game to meet the demands of the new connected traveller
Faced with a new generation of connected travellers and their growing – and more elaborate – demands, brands in the travel sector are having to change the way they market their serv [...]
Jan 12, 2018
CWT Study: Behaviour and preferences of Millennial business travellers
A new study led by Carlson Wagonlit Travel, entitled CWT Connected Traveler Study, focuses on the preferences of “Millennials” in terms of business travel.
Jan 5, 2018
Amazon launches Alexa for Business, an assistant with corporate travel “skills”
Amazon has just unveiled Alexa for Business, a voice-activated, artificial intelligence-powered workplace assistant with corporate travel capabilities.
Dec 29, 2017
Air France launches Louis, the virtual assistant luggage expert
French airline Air France now has a virtual assistant on Facebook Messenger to respond to questions about luggage. A team of advisers will nevertheless still be available to customers w [...]
Dec 19, 2017
Tourism: Virtual reality and 360° video a boom for the sector
Tourism is one of the sectors where virtual reality and 360° video are enjoying a meteoric rise. Several companies are already using these new technologies to show clients new desti [...]
Dec 15, 2017
How could time travel be physically possible?
Albert Einstein’s work on the concept of relativity shows that a phenomenon called worm holes can be created, which would enable time-travel into the past. The possibility of going ba [...]
Dec 9, 2017
Moop connected wristband guides users with vibrations
A connected wristband designed by Moop, a recently-formed company in Toulouse, France, guides its users in such a way that they no longer have to have their eyes riveted to a screen – [...]
Dec 9, 2017
Hilton and Marriott look to "smart rooms" to revolutionise their hotels
A new move being rushed in by some of the biggest names in the hotel sector is to offer their clients smart rooms equipped with the latest connected devices. Their aim is to cater to us [...]
Dec 8, 2017
How millennials are redefining business trips
The "millennial" generation, born between 1980 and 2000, is managing to combine business with pleasure when travelling for work.
Dec 1, 2017
Air New Zealand: Sophie, a virtual member of the customer services team
Following on from its chatbot Oscar, Air New Zealand is going one step further for its clients by offering a virtual assistant called Sophie, a "digital human" who responds to users’ [...]
Nov 29, 2017
Chinese companies spend more and more on business travel
According to a survey carried out by the CITS American Express Global Business Travel in 2017, 31% of Chinese companies are expecting to spend more on business travel over the next 12 [...]
Nov 24, 2017
Business traveller experience set to go all digital
Thanks to technological advances and their own growing demands, the lives of business travellers are set to become increasingly digital in the years ahead. By 2020 their everyday experi [...]
Nov 22, 2017
Paris airports: A driverless shuttle tested at the end of November
From the end of November 2017, a driverless shuttle will be tested at Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport by the ADP Group, as part of its innovation programme.
Nov 18, 2017
Bleisure on the rise throughout the world, travel companies set to benefit
"Bleisure" is becoming ever more popular among people looking to combine business trips with tourism. The sector is developing apace and is set to expand yet further in the next few yea [...]
Nov 17, 2017
Tourism: Will vocal interfaces change the way we buy travel?
In the tourism sector as well as other fields of activity, the rise of voice-controlled smart speakers is opening up new horizons. However, this innovative way of booking and purchasing [...]
Nov 14, 2017
Finnair launches the Finn chatbot
Finnair has joined the 14% of airlines that offer their customers AI-powered chatbots. Known as Finn and launched on Facebook Messenger, the artificially intelligent interactive service [...]
Nov 10, 2017
Zunum Aero preparing the hybrid aeroplane of the future
A US start-up is hoping to have small hybrid passenger aeroplanes in the skies by 2022, and eventually, the technology developed by this aeronautical company could usher in fully electr [...]
Nov 7, 2017
Dubai: A biometric security tunnel for travellers at the airport
As part of the DXB Plus programme that aims to increase its capacity, Dubai airport has presented two intelligent and connected innovations at the Gitex 2017: a security tunnel with fac [...]
Nov 6, 2017
Airbus to trial flying taxi in 2018
In scheduling initial testing for 2018, Airbus hopes its self-piloted four-seater air vehicle will be in the sky by 2023. Dubbed CityAirbus, the environmentally friendly flying taxi is [...]
Nov 3, 2017
Statistics: What are the world air transport trends for 2017?
The World Air Transport Statistics 2017, for both passengers and freight, are now available. Including 10 years of data, they enable air traffic to be analysed in detail.
Nov 1, 2017
How artificial intelligence is set to revolutionise business travel
Technology and devices are gaining traction when it comes to managing, preparing and carrying out business travel. A recent study involving business travellers would seem to indicate th [...]
Oct 20, 2017
Statistics: 78% of travel agents optimistic as 2017 draws to a close
The travel sector is more than healthy as we approach the end of the year, according opinions canvassed by the Travel Leaders Group as part of its annual autumn survey.
Oct 9, 2017
NASA wants to build a luxury hotel in space
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is currently working on a futuristic space hotel project, in collaboration with a group of young graduates from the Massachusetts Insti [...]
Sep 18, 2017
Business Travel: Virtual reality on board with Air France
As of 7 August, Air France has been providing business class travellers with virtual reality headsets on flights between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Saint Martin.
Qatar, Sep 16, 2017
Qatar: Entry visa requirements waived for 80 countries
Qatar has announced that the citizens of 80 countries are now entitled to enter the country without a visa, including the members of the Schengen area.
Sep 15, 2017
Pilotless passenger planes could save airlines billions
Tempted by the prospect of substantial savings, increased profits and enhanced safety, airline companies are contemplating the use of pilotless airliners. Though it would lead to cheape [...]
Sep 8, 2017
Record growth in European air traffic
The 9% rise in passenger numbers at European airports over the last year is the kind of growth they have not experienced in over a decade. The increase, which spiked in June, has mainly [...]
Sep 1, 2017
Business travel: The latest tendencies in Europe, according to BCD Travel
The most recent edition of a study on business travel carried out by Europeans shows that London and Vienna are still the most popular destinations. Furthermore, there have been no chan [...]
United Kingdom, Aug 25, 2017
London: Drop in the pound attracts business travellers and tourists
Be they business travellers or tourists, Europeans are choosing the United Kingdom, and in particular London, as their favoured destination. Experts believe that this phenomenon is due [...]
Aug 18, 2017
Sabre: Personalization at the heart of travelers' expectations
Sabre and Yougov publish the results of a new study into the personalization of travel...
Aug 4, 2017
FlightBeat: Smart airplane seats capable of detecting stress
Dutch airline KLM, French aerospace group Zodiac and students from Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands have joined forces to design a smart airplane seat. Fitted with sens [...]
Abou Dabi - Émirats arabes unis, Aug 2, 2017
Tourism: Foreign visitor numbers surge in Abu Dhabi
Since the start of the year, Abu Dhabi has been reaping the rewards of its national tourism development programme. Over the first four months of 2017, the number of international travel [...]
Jul 29, 2017
Crowdfunding: All aboard the Hot Tug
Buoyed by the success of a crowdfunding campaign that has helped them bring the floating hot tub to the UK, two entrepreneurs will shortly be operating on a London canal, offering their [...]
Jul 28, 2017
Tourism: The online travel industry is booming
A recent study carried out by Phocus Forward showed that the online travel industry has a great impact on the tourist industry. From flight bookings to accommodation, the market is evol [...]
Jul 19, 2017
Bragi Dash Pro: Intelligent earphones equipped with an instantaneous translator tool
German company Bragi recently presented the Dash Pro, its latest model of wireless earphones that boast an innovative new function: real-time translation of 40 different languages into [...]
Jul 18, 2017
Apple: How to keep your data secure when you travel with your Mac, iPad, and iPhone
Here are a few tips on how to keep your Apple data safe when you are travelling...
France, Jul 13, 2017
Council of State authorises co-planing in France
"Co-planing", which had previously been banned in France by the Directorate General of civil aviation, has now been authorised by the Council of State.
Jul 12, 2017
"Europe on the move": European Commission makes €2.7bn investment in new transport projects
The European Commission is investing €2.7bn in "Europe on the Move", a wide-ranging set of initiatives including 152 transport projects towards clean energy and digitalisation.
Thaïlande, Jun 19, 2017
Thailand: Travel insurance soon to be a legal requirement?
While it is a popular tourist destination, Thailand’s hospitals are currently bursting at the seams due to accident-prone foreign visitors. The country is therefore thinking of making [...]
Canada, Jun 16, 2017
Air travel: Air Canada adding more international flights over the summer
Air Canada has recently begun two new routes from Vancouver, flying to Frankfurt in Germany and Nagoya in Japan. There is more development to come, with nine other flights to be added t [...]
Jun 3, 2017
Business travellers: Safety is becoming their number one concern
More than ever, and especially since the Parisian attacks in 2015 and 2016, companies are becoming aware of the challenge of protecting their business travellers. According to a new s [...]
Jun 2, 2017
Pick up the scent of travel with Thalys in railway stations this summer
As of next August in four of the European railway stations which it serves, Thalys will be helping travellers to discover the main destinations in their network by means of smells that [...]
May 16, 2017
Business travel: Spending on the rise
Despite current geopolitical turbulence, spending on business travel increased in 2016, and growth for 2017 is estimated at 2.5%.
May 12, 2017
Airline punctuality getting worse in France
Delays and cancels can make air travel a source of frustration. As for an official report, flights punctuality got worse in France between 2015 and 2016, all types of flights affected.
May 11, 2017
Japan: Shiki-Shima – the most expensive train in the world
In a country known for its high-speed trains, the Shiki-Shima has recently taken to the tracks offering a different, very upmarket service, with suites, gourmet dining and a chic piano [...]
May 5, 2017
Cathay Pacific: US flights powered by biofuel
Hong Kong airline Cathay Pacific has recently announced its intention to use biofuels made from waste products on certain long-haul flights, in order to try to reduce its greenhouse gas [...]
Apr 28, 2017
Delta Air Lines offers $10,000 to passengers who give up their seat on overbooked flights
Delta Air Lines will offer up to $10,000 to passengers if they agree to voluntarily give up their seat on an overbooked flight. The American airline thus hopes to avoid incidents like t [...]
Apr 28, 2017
Qatar Airways to set up an Indian airline
Doha-based airline Qatar Airways recently unveiled a project to launch a new airline located in India by the end of this year, primarily designed to meet domestic demand.
Apr 28, 2017
Instagram proves influential for holiday-makers
According to an OpinionWay survey, 34% of French people use social media to look for holiday ideas, especially Instagram. Having been very popular among young people, who can someti [...]
Londres, Royaume-Uni, Mar 23, 2017
14,535 km Qatar Airways flight the longest in the world
On 6 February, Qatar Airways made the world’s longest commercial flight, covering the 14,535 kilometres between Doha and Auckland in 16 hours and 23 minutes. The flight was carried ou [...]
Feb 28, 2017
Contactless payment available soon to airlines
A new partnership between UATP and Paymagnet will enable airlines to directly integrate contactless card payments via smartphone into their mobile applications.
Feb 28, 2017
SolarStratos - the solar plane that is reaching for the stars
Switzerland is preparing the first ever manned solar flight out into the stratosphere. It will be flying as high as an altitude of 25,000 metres, meaning that the pilot will need to be [...]
Feb 20, 2017
Virgin Galactic aiming for maiden spaceliner flight in 2017
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation (FAA-AST) has awarded Virgin Galactic a much prized operator licence. Owned by billionaire Richard [...]
Feb 10, 2017
“Hyperloop”: The capsule train promised for 2020 is taking shape
“Hyperloop”: The capsule train promised for 2020 is taking shape Imagine sitting down in a capsule and being projected down a tube at faster-than-airline speeds: this is what is being [...]
Feb 10, 2017
Low-cost airlines increased air traffic in 2016
Low-cost airlines increased air traffic in 2016 : World air passenger traffic continued to rise in 2016, though at a slightly slower rate than in previous years. Thanks to the entrepre [...]
Paris, France, Jan 26, 2017
Top 5 innovations in aviation of the future, an infographic by Allianz Worldwide Partners
Supersonic speed, windowless fuselage, electric propulsion, birdlike wings, connected aircraft... Discover Allianz Worldwide Partners Top 5 innovations in aviation of the future that [...]
