Verteil, a leading provider of NDC technology for over 40 global airlines since 2016, announced the successful implementation and go-live with Copa Airlines to become an authorized Copa Connect Tech Partner.
With this new implementation, Verteil’s travel seller partners, previously approved by Copa, can get enhanced content, with the ability to offer superior services to their customers, including ancillaries not available in the GDS EDIFACT channel, leveraging promotions, and lower fares.
Verteil offers an API and a desktop solution that both allow for shopping, booking, and servicing of flights and ancillaries (voiding, cancel and refunds, rebooking).
The new partnership will enable Copa Airlines to expand its global NDC distribution to Travel Sellers across various geographies who would like to access their content via Verteil for their NDC solution requirements. Apart from the superior and real time content, bookings via Verteil Direct Connect, will not be surcharged.
Jerrin Jos, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Verteil Technologies, said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with Copa Airlines in their NDC transformation journey.This collaboration further solidifies Verteil’s position as a leader in the NDC technology market and highlights our commitment to providing top-notch solutions and services for travel distribution. With this partnership, Verteil is poised to expand its presence in the Latin American market and strengthen its global footprint.
Our ongoing transformational journey in the airline distribution space is progressing significantly. We are currently implementing changes with several airline partners and investing heavily in building product capabilities to support advanced functionality for travel sellers’ diverse business models.
Verteil Technologies has made a remarkable impact at the prestigious Arabian Travel Market 2023, UAE, showcasing their NDC based direct connect solutions for Travel Sellers and Airlines to a global audience.
Verteil demonstrated their commitment to excellence and leadership in the industry with a massive presence at the event. The company’s exhibition stand (TT1255, Travel Tech Theatre, Saeed Hall 1) has been a highlight of the event, attracting thousands of visitors who were captivated by the cutting-edge technology and solutions on display.
Arabian Travel Market provides an excellent platform for Verteil to engage with customers, partners, and industry experts, who were impressed with the company’s forward-thinking approach and dedication to driving innovation. Through interactive demonstrations and engaging presentations, Verteil continues to demonstrate how NDC direct connect technology can help Travel Sellers gain significant cost advantages, whilst being able to seamlessly operate within their existing technology landscape to minimise disruptions to current workflows & practices.
Arabian Travel Market is open from May 1 to May 4, 2023, at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
“We are delighted to have participated in Arabian Travel Market 2023, which provides an excellent opportunity for us to showcase our capabilities at a global stage and connect with industry leaders from around the world,” said Jerrin Jos, Founder & CEO, Verteil Technologies.“Our team has worked tirelessly to prepare for this event, and we are proud of the impact we are making. We look forward to building on the success of this event and continuing to drive innovation in the industry.”
Verteil is an ARM Index certified NDC distribution provider for 40+ global airlines, offering a comprehensive suite of distribution and merchandising solutions for the airlines. Apart from the cloud hosted web booking tool via which travel agents can log in to perform shopping, booking, ticketing and servicing, Verteil’s NDC content can also be accessed via Universal APIs. The company is committed to empowering travel sellers and airlines to enhance the travel experience for customers through innovation and technology.
Taxi Butler, the global leader in B2B taxi booking solutions for hotels, bars and restaurants, announces its participation as an exhibitor at The Transportation Alliance’s (TTA’s) 104th Annual Convention & Expo, Mobilize 2022. The event is from October 31st to November 2nd, 2022, at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. At this event, Taxi Butler will showcase and demonstrate its purpose-made one-click taxi booking devices and exhibit its latest and most advanced device, the Taxi Butler PRO.
Launched in 2021, Taxi Butler PRO has gained a tremendous reputation in the global taxi industry. This touchscreen taxi booking device allows venues like hotels, bars and restaurants to book taxis with local taxi fleets at the press of a button. The Taxi Butler has a 5″ touchscreen and is Wi-Fi enabled. Taxi Butler PRO comes fully equipped with Live Price Estimations, instant and pre-booking capabilities, Smart Destination Suggestions, and the ability for passengers to track their taxis using a QR code. Venues can add passenger details like their name and phone number, and the staff can also choose from an unlimited number of taxi types configured by taxi companies.
Talking about the participation, Laurence Docherty, Sales Manager at Taxi Butler, said, “We are excited to showcase the Taxi Butler PRO. From the sleek and smart design of Taxi Butler itself to the quality stats communicated to your team on the Management Portal, these devices have gained an immense reputation in the global taxi industry, particularly across the United States. At Taxi Butler, we always look for new ways to connect taxi fleets more closely to their passengers. Join us at booth 410, to catch up with our Co-founder Steven. He is excited to connect with you and explain how these devices can help fleet owners generate more automated taxi bookings.”
The Taxi Butler PRO is an advanced taxi booking device with a touchscreen. It has additional booking options like pre-booking destinations and passenger details.
Taxi Butlers are built for taxi companies and designed around the needs of venues and passengers, facilitating the connection between taxi companies, venues and passengers. It is the foundation of everything they do. Taxi Butler recently celebrated ’50 million taxis booked’ with their one-click taxi booking devices. The technology has enabled taxi fleets working with Taxi Butler to increase their market share, growth, revenue, and automation. Alongside its usability and simplicity, this taxi booking device saves time, gets more customers, reduces the pressure on the call centre, and brings in significant customer loyalty, making it an easy and pleasant way for passengers to start their journey.
Attracting an array of world-class technology and services providers, the event offers the latest on dispatching platforms, routing systems, insurance, vehicles, call centres, back-office operations and more to further advance the business of the private passenger transportation industry in the US. It offers the chance to all industry vendors to showcase their products to fleet operators in person and create one-on-one business connections.
Reserved for significantly important occasions, the wero or laying down of the taki within the pōwhiri (Māori welcoming ceremony) signals the invitation to the 14 qualifying nations now set to call Aotearoa, New Zealand home from February 2023.
New Zealand Football Ferns, Claudia Bunge (#3/Defender) and Paige Satchell (#13/Forward, Midfielder) accompanied ahi Kaa (traditional custodians of the land) Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei to deliver the rousing welcome.
“I can’t wait for people to see more of Aotearoa New Zealand next year, I’m really proud to be a Kiwi and it was awesome to take part in the welcome. Standing next to the amazing group from Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and sharing our culture with the world was a humbling and powerful experience,” says Bunge.
The riveting maioha (greeting) is delivered by Tarumai Kerehoma-Hoani, a renowned Māori Performing Arts tutor and kaitātaki wāhine (female leader) of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei. The rendition sets the scene for the compelling wero delivered by another esteemed leader of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, Piripi Davis and his masterful use of traditional weaponry passed on through his upuna (ancestors).
Graham Tipene of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, says, “The hope is that countries visiting will see the point of difference that only Māori and Aotearoa can offer.”
Host cities span the country’s North and South Islands boasting an array of rich experiences for those visitors looking to embrace and explore Aotearoa New Zealand’s unique culture, people and famed natural environment.
Video and photo assets available to download for media:
The Invitation to the World is an invitation to the world for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023TM
In modern times, the wero or laying down of the taki [a ceremonial token, generally a branch of a native tree] signals the invitation to visitors and is reserved for significantly important occasions
Why has Tourism New Zealand extended this welcome?
The results of the FWWC2023 Draw create a moment in time for us to welcome international visitors to Aotearoa New Zealand and meaningfully demonstrate our unique values as a destination through authentic storytelling and activity.
The moment creates and opportunity to demonstrate our manaaki [deep expression of care and hospitality] by extending a warm welcome to the incoming teams in a way that is authentic to Aotearoa New Zealand.
How is Tourism New Zealand showing welcome?
Tourism New Zealand has produced a piece of film to extend a powerful welcome to [insert country] and manuhiri [visitors]
The invitation is in the form of a wero, a formal invitation reserved only for special occasions and dignitaries.
It was performed at Eden Park by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei who are ahi Kaa [traditional custodians of the land] in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland.
Who is Tourism New Zealand welcoming?
FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023TM will be co-hosted by Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand across July/August next year and will be the first mega-event to hit our shores post-pandemic.
The FWWC2023 Draw on October 22nd will announce the 10 qualifying teams Aotearoa New Zealand will host from February 2023.
When was this shot?
The wero was filmed on Wednesday 28th September 2022 at Eden Park in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand
Why is TNZ working with FIFA?
New Zealand was successful in its bid to co-host the FIFA Women’s World Cup alongside Australia in 2023 will be the first mega event with a large international audience, post pandemic
Tourism New Zealand sees this as an extraordinary opportunity to showcase destination Aotearoa to international audiences on a scale that is traditionally unattainable against competitor spend.
Who is in the content?
New Zealand Football Ferns, Claudia Bunge (#3 /Defender) and Paige Satchell (#13/ Forward, Midfielder) accompanied ahi Kaa [traditional custodians of the land] Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei to deliver the invitation.
Where was this shot?
The invitation was filmed in Eden Park, in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, one of the four New Zealand host cities.
Eden Park is one of New Zealand’s most famed stadiums and will play a key role during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023TM
What are the New Zealand Football Ferns wearing?
The New Zealand Football Ferns are wearing their away game match day kits.
Who are the New Zealand Football Ferns?
The two New Zealand Football Ferns that appear in the film are Claudia Bunge (#3 /Defender) originally from Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and Paige Satchell (#13/ Forward, Midfielder) from Rotorua.
What is the Draw for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023TM
The FWWC2023 Draw is a globally televised event in which the 64 match fixtures for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, will be revealed.
The highly anticipated draw is an important milestone for the 32 teams and their fans who will learn who they will be playing, and in which host country.
The draw will include cultural performances from Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand and will also be an opportunity for fans to learn about the nine host cities.
When and where is the FWWC2023 Draw?
The Draw for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 TMwill take place on Saturday 22 October 2022, and will be held at Aotea Centre in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, New Zealand.
Can I get tickets to the Draw?
Tickets are not available to members of the public, as the event is invite-only. However, it will be globally televised—check your local listings for information about how to tune in.
Fans can watch the Draw live on FIFA+, Prime in Aotearoa New Zealand, and Optus in Australia.
Why is the Draw significant?
The FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023TM is the largest women’s sporting event in the world and the highly anticipated FWWC2023 Draw is the main event in the leadup to the tournament.
Held in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, New Zealand, the FWWC2023 Draw will host nearly 1000 attendees including the FIFA President & Secretary General, FIFA Legends, representatives from the qualified teams, and international media.
The globally televised draw will be an hour long and will provide an exciting opportunity for Aotearoa New Zealand as a host nation, to show our manaakitanga, people, place and culture to our guests and the world.
When is the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023?
FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023TM will take place from Thursday, 20th July 2023 to Sunday, 20th August 2023.
How many games will be hosted in New Zealand next year?
Aotearoa New Zealand will host 10 teams and a total of 24 group matches and 5 knockout matches – including 2 quarterfinals and a semi-final.
What are the host cities in New Zealand?
The four host cities that will host matches in Aotearoa New Zealand are Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Te-Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington, Ōtepoti Dunedin, and Kirikiriroa Hamilton.
What is a wero?
A wero is often used as part of the pōwhiri to welcome a particularly important visitor.
When performed it will be the first part of the pōwhiri process.
What is a pōwhiri?
A pōwhiri is a formal welcoming ceremony used in Aotearoa New Zealand for manuhiri [visitors] by tangata whenua [host tribe of the area].
The pōwhiri recognises that everyone has with them their own tapu [sacredness], in fact manuhiri at the beginning of the process are referred to as ‘waewae tapu’, sacred feet.
The role of the pōwhiri is to join all participants tapu together, therefore the pōwhiri as a process is tapu.
At its conclusion, the tapu of the pōwhiri process is removed by partaking in food. This then frees everyone from tapu allowing them to carry on with their everyday activities and means the manuhiri are now able to move about the area without restriction.
Traditionally, the pōwhiri begins at the entrance of the marae grounds [meeting grounds] however it is often used in other situations. Once the manuhiri [visitors] are assembled, a wero [challenge] might be performed, after which a kaikaranga [woman caller] will call the manuhiri [visitors] onto the grounds and up to the wharenui [meeting house] with a karanga [a welcome call]. It is a very special experience for those being welcomed, that is uniquely Aotearoa New Zealand.
When is a wero typically used?
Traditionally, a wero was used to determine the intent of the manuhiri [visitors] which once established, clears the way for the welcoming ceremony.
The warrior who is performing the wero, will lay down a taki [a ceremonial token, generally a branch of a native tree], in this instance a piece of mānuka, for the visitors to pick up to show they come in peace.
Who can perform the wero?
The wero is performed by a kaiwero, a senior male warrior from the tangata whenua [host tribe of the area].
Who performed the wero in this piece of content?
The wero was performed by Piripi Davis, an esteemed leader for Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei who are ahi kaa [traditional custodians of the land] of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
What is the sound in the pōwhiri?
Two taonga pūoro [traditional Māori instruments] heard during the pōwhiri are the Pūtātara and the Pūkāea and they are used to communicate with the warriors, and tangata whenua [host tribe of the area].
The Pūtātara is a triton shell, rarely found in Aotearoa the Pūtātara occasionally washes up on beaches and is regarded as a gift of Tangaroa, the god of sea.
The sound of Pūtātara is used to announce the arrival of manuhiri [visitors] to the tangata whenua [host tribe of the area].
The Pūkāea is a long trumpet made of wood and is traditionally used to welcome people and announce events or occasions of importance.
Why was the wero used in this content?
The wero is the first part of the pōwhiri ritual and is performed by a representative of the tangata whenua [host tribe of the area] before the manuhiri [visitors] have stepped onto the marae. So, it has been used for this content as an invitation to an audience who are not yet on the whenua [land] in Aotearoa New Zealand, by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei who are ahi kaa [traditional custodians of the land].
More recently, it is used mostly when welcoming distinguished guests to acknowledge their achievements and promote the strength of hosting people.
What are the roles of each person in the content?
Two New Zealand Football Ferns connecting the performance to the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023TM
Four kaihaka wāhine [female performers] preforming a haka with support from the tāne [men].
One kaitaki [challenger] who comes forward and lays down the taki.
Two kaiwero who act as supporting warriors for the kaitaki.
Two kaipūtātara who sound the Pūtātara [shell trumpet].
One kaipūkaea who sounds the Pūkaea [long wooden trumpet].
What is the call that plays throughout the video and what is she saying?
The call that plays throughout the video is a type of maioha [greeting] given by tangata whenua [host tribe of the area].
It is performed by Tarumai Kerehoma-Hoani, a renowned Māori Performing Arts tutor and kaitātaki wāhine [female leader] of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei.
In this maioha connections are made to the local tribe, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, ahi kaa [traditional custodians of the land], and the land and marine features of the area.
It begins with a reference to a famous saying of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei ancestor, Tītahi.
Tarumai then refers to the Waitematā, the harbour on which Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland is situated. She then acknowledges Rangi and Papa, the primal parents in the Māori creation story to reference the environment, that is the earth and sky.
In this reference she calls for calm to come to both elements as well as the many waters, rivers and harbours, of the area.
In Māori culture why are wāhine seen as sacred?
In te ao Māori [the Māori world] women are known as ‘te whare tangata’, the house of humanity and are venerated for their ability to create life.
Their mana [sacred power] is sourced from the many female atua [gods] in Māori folklore including the primal parent Papatūānuku, the earth mother and creator of all life.
During times when this ability to create life is demonstrated, e.g., during menstruation and pregnancy, there can be restrictions placed on their involvement during ceremonial activities like the pōwhiri.
That is, women who are experiencing either of these conditions are not permitted to perform the karanga during a pōwhiri. Also, as te whare tangata, women were to be protected.
Therefore, during the pōwhiri the women are generally positioned behind the men during the whaikōrero [speeches] and the kaiwero [challengers] were male.
Why are wāhine essential to the pōwhiri process?
Due to ‘te mana o te wāhine’, the sacred power of the woman, women are able to negate tapu [sacredness] related to a process or a person so that activities can be carried out and people move about without restriction. So, as kaikaranga they can neutralize the tapu of visitors who are visiting a marae for the first time.
They are also able to connect the two worlds, the spiritual and physical, reconnecting the visitors with loved ones who have passed on. They are also, in this capacity, able to ward off any bad spiritual energy.
Therefore, their presence at the pōwhiri or during any part of the pōwhiri is essential. So, it is necessary to have women present during the wero, as without a karanga the pōwhiri process would stop. And because there are no words spoken during the wero, the karanga is known as ‘te reo tuatahi o te pōwhiri’, the first voice of the welcome.
Looking for a special way to celebrate your anniversary? A cruise is the perfect choice for celebrating a first, 20th, or even 50th year together. Margaritaville at Sea offers a three-day, two-night cruise from the Port of Palm Beach, Florida, to the island of Grand Bahama, providing partners the right mix of activities and alone time to create anniversary memories they’ll never forget.
A License to Chill…For 2
To help couples make their anniversary meaningful, Margaritaville at Sea offers a package tailor-made to reduce the headaches typically associated with traveling, freeing more up time to relax and enjoy each other’s company.
The Margaritaville at Sea License To Chill – for 2 package lavishes couples with a special stateroom welcome and small surprises from the room steward throughout the trip. The stateroom itself adds to the romantic ambiance of the cruise, providing couples with a quiet and private respite in their matching Margaritaville at Sea branded bathrobes.
The right cruise package can also deliver great dining experiences. The Margaritaville at Sea License To Chill – for 2 package provides couples with a range of dining options, from a special seating arrangement for two at Fins Dining Room to reservations for dinner at JWB Prime Steakhouse. Mornings are also taken care of with sparkling wine breakfasts at JWB as well.
Couples looking for a more casual dining experience may find options outside the License to Chill package to their liking. The lively atmosphere at Frank and Lola’s Pizzeria, the 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar & Grill, or the Port of Indecision Buffet all offer a fun, relaxed, and refreshing change of pace.
Taking it to Shore
Couples can take their anniversary celebrations a step further with shore excursions. Margaritaville at Sea offers a Day At The Beach at Viva Wyndham Resort or Taino Beach Resort in Freeport, Grand Bahama. While at these resorts, couples can take a lazy stroll on the white sand beaches, borrow bicycles for a ride around the island, relax in the jacuzzi, or enjoy an island cocktail at the swim-up bar.
For more adventurous couples looking to make an exciting anniversary memory, Margaritaville at Sea offers several ocean activities. By far, the most popular Margaritaville at Sea excursion is the opportunity to swim with Bahamian pigs, now famous for their own seafaring ways. Partners who enjoy getting their heart racing together may find the water sports packages to be more their speed, but what’s underneath the waves is just as spectacular. The waters of The Bahamas are home to a variety of sea life – swimming and snorkeling alongside these creatures creates rare and extraordinary memories that will last a lifetime.
Nights of Fun
Romance continues back aboard the Margaritaville at Sea with plenty of couple-friendly activities, like wine tastings or couples massages at the St. Somewhere Spa and Salon. Of course, there’s also plenty of time to relax by the adults-only pool. At night, couples can catch the one-of-a-kind, Tales From Margaritaville: Jimmy’s Ship Show, a musical odyssey inspired by Jimmy Buffett’s book of the same name. Those with the License to Chill – for 2 package also receive reserved seating at Stars on the Water Theater and Bar, where a variety of beverage options accompany a variety of talented live performers.
The perfect nightcap awaits anniversary voyagers at one of the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise’s vibrant lounges. The Euphoria Lounge invites partners to enjoy the end of their evening with thoughtful cocktail offerings, and for those who fuel their fire with a little competition, The Hangout provides classic games to help couples reconnect with their younger selves. Couples can also dance the night away during a late night set performed by the musical director and pianist from Tales From Margaritaville: Jimmy’s Ship Show.
For couples celebrating an important milestone in their relationship, the right cruise with the right itinerary delivers an experience worthy of the special occasion. With an array of amenities that include express check-in and disembarkation, booking assistance for shore excursions, and reserved seating for entertainment and dining, couples can spend more time celebrating and sharing experiences that only The Paradise can provide.
Global hospitality technology platform, OYO has kicked off the festive season with a special discount scheme for travelers on the occasion of Navratri, Durga Puja and Dussehra. Under this scheme, guests can avail up to 50% discount across all OYO properties including Capital O, Collection O, Spot On, OYO Townhouse and Silverkey, among others. The offer is valid from September 23, 2022 to October 9, 2022.
It is tailormade to ensure that guests planning to visit their friends and relatives during the festivities are able to book clean, safe and convenient stays that add more excitement to their festive spirits. Most of the OYO hotels are equipped with facilities such as Wi-Fi and air-conditioning.
Guests can avail this discount by downloading the OYO App, clicking on the red ‘Nearby‘ icon to discover a valid participating hotel in the city of their choice, select the coupon code ‘PUJOSPECIAL‘ and hit the Book Now and Pay at Hotel button.
Festive spirits are set to return this year with Navratri festivities in Gujarat expected to resume in full fervour after a two-year break. Similarly, the grandeur of Durga Puja in West Bengal is going to be even bigger with UNESCO recently according Intangible Cultural Heritage tag to the Durga Puja festival which has generated a lot of curiosity around the festival. The state government has also made elaborate plans to promote tourism related activities during Puja festivities.
Speaking about the offer, Shreerang Godbole, Senior Vice President – Product & Chief Service Officer, OYO said, “There is a lot of positive sentiment in the industry and the festive season is going to further add to the growth that has picked up momentum in the last few months. We are geared up to cater to the demands of a diverse group of tourists with our discounted stay options to add to their festive spirits.”
Customers choose OYO’s platform for many reasons, including accessibility to OYO’s hotels at competitive prices, quality accommodation, ease of use of its app, personalization, and flexibility of the OYO platform. They can also resolve their queries quickly with OYO’s 24*7 chatbot – Yo! Chat.
