Luxury travel platform Bear Luxe Japan inks new deal with Sabre to increase geographic reach for member hotels while creating elevated experiences for travelers
SOUTHLAKE, Texas, SINGAPORE and TOKYO – WEBWIRE – Tuesday, April 12, 2022
Sabre Corporation (NASDAQ: SABR), a leading software and technology provider that powers the global travel industry, today announced a new agreement with Japan-specific luxury travel platform and business-to-business membership portal Bear Luxe Japan, to better connect its hoteliers to global markets while creating elevated experiences for travelers.
Inspired by the companions who accompanied aristocrats on their Grand Tours in the 17th to 19th centuries, who were known as Bear-leaders, Bear Luxe Japan is a global network of luxury travel designers, and leading Japanese luxury hotels in Japan. It aims to develop and deliver a luxury travel ecosystem to enable the international market to access the rich traditions and culture of Japan.
The new relationship will further cement Sabres growing footprint in Japan, while opening up further access for Bear Luxe member hoteliers primarily consisting of independent Japanese luxury hotels through the Sabre SynXis hospitality platform and Bear Luxe Japans international reach of the luxury travel market, to the markets and channels high-end travelers use to book their luxury trips to Japan. Bear Luxe will be utilizing a comprehensive suite of Sabre SynXis solutions to grow geographic reach, target the corporate travel market, drive increased bookings, and create personalized travel experiences.
The absence of connectivity with the international luxury travel market has long been an industry-wide dilemma for Japanese luxury hotels. The anticipated partnership will be a game changer in bridging the market gap, said Hiro Miyatake, co-founder and chief operating officer of Bear Luxe. Were also expecting that post-pandemic luxury travelers to Japan will have a more slow and deliberate approach to their trip and a desire for meaningful travel. As such, it is vital to us that we have the right technology partner, one that offers the right solutions in opening up new markets for our hoteliers, all while ensuring that luxury travelers are able to access the personalized experiences they want and expect on their trip.
With this agreement, Bear Luxe hospitality members will be linked to hundreds of thousands of travel agents across the world through the Global Distribution System (GDS) connectivity solutions powered by Sabre SynXis, ensuring they can reach domestic and international travelers; strategically targeting markets which are able to travel, or have a desire to travel once borders re-open.
The new alliance will also enable the Bear Luxe platform to drive direct bookings, increase engagement and trigger conversions through the deep retail focus of the Sabre SynXis Booking Engine. Sabres corporate booking tools will provide Bear Luxe with the ability to connect with corporate travel buyers. Meanwhile, SynXis Voice Agent will elevate the call center experience for potential guests, equipping Bear Luxe agents with the tools they need to minimize call handling times while increasing opportunities for ancillary sales.
Were thrilled that Bear Luxe has selected Sabre as its trusted, strategic technology partner in Japan, said Frank Trampert, Global Managing Director, Sabre Hospitality Solutions. We look forward to supporting them in their endeavors to open up further domestic, regional and international markets to Japanese hoteliers while helping visitors to experience the unique characteristics Japanese destinations have to offer.
About Sabre Corporation
Sabre Corporation is a leading software and technology company that powers the global travel industry, serving a wide range of travel companies including airlines, hoteliers, travel agencies and other suppliers. The company provides retailing, distribution and fulfilment solutions that help its customers operate more efficiently, drive revenue and offer personalized traveller experiences. Through its leading travel marketplace, Sabre connects travel suppliers with buyers from around the globe. Sabres technology platform manages more than $260B worth of global travel spend annually. Headquartered in Southlake, Texas, USA, Sabre serves customers in more than 160 countries around the world. For more information visit www.sabre.com.
About Bear Luxe Japan
Bear Luxe Japan is a Tokyo based, Japan-specific network of the countrys leading luxury travel suppliers and specialists in global travel design consisting of 70-member luxury hotels and over 200 international luxury travel agencies. Assistance on a wide range of luxury travel related services in Japan, from one- to two-week itineraries, executive meetings, and events to comprehensive menu of service reservations for ryokan, hotel, chauffeur, and unique experiences though a concierge service. Bear Luxe Japan is more than a network of Japanese luxury suppliers and a community of management and senior decision makers with the experience and expertise to respond to sophisticated procurement needs in luxury travel. The companys mission is to curate, design and advise on elevated travel in and around Japan NEVER from a generalist, but ALWAYS from the perspective and know-how of a SPECIALIST.
The Web Marketing Association is looking for the best travel sites in the world as part of their 26th annual international WebAward Competition for Web site development at www.webaward.org. The WebAwards is the standards-defining competition that sets benchmarks for 96 industries, including travel, airline and hotel & lodging websites, based on the seven criteria of a successful web site. The deadline for the best travel web sites to enter to be judged is May 31, 2022. “Excellence deserves recognition and the travel industry is very competitive when it comes to Web development,” said William Rice, President of the Web Marketing Association. “The travel industry has been transformed by the Internet and travel web sites have been doing a great job keeping up with the shift in the industry that removed agents as the source of travel information. Judges have looked highly upon travel web site’s use of design, copywriting and interactivity.” Websites are judged on seven criteria including design, innovation, content, technology, interactivity, copy writing and ease of use. Each WebAward entry in the Travel category is judged against other travel entries and then against an overall standard of excellence. All travel entrants benefit from receiving valuable feedback in terms of their specific criteria scores compared against the average scores for their industry. They also may receive specific comments from the WebAward’s professional judging panel on their Web site development efforts. Winners of a WebAward in the travel categories will also receive: Each year, the Web Marketing Association names the Best of Industry for the various travel categories based on the score they receive from the WebAward judges. Winners of the Best Travel Website include: § 2021 – Reichl und Partner eMarketing GmbH for SIMON’S BEST TRAVEL GMBH WEBSITE Winners of the Best Hotel & Lodging Website include: § 2021 – UP Hotel Agency for THE HARI Travel Websites can be entered into consideration for the 2022 Best Travel Website WebAward at the WebAward Website. The 2022 WebAwards are sponsored by the following leading organizations: PR.com, iContact, and Webmaster Radio. The Web Marketing Association thanks these companies for their commitment to the entire online marketing community. About the WebAwards The Web Marketing Association was founded in 1997 to help define the standard of excellence for online marketing. Our internationally known award programs, such as WebAward Competition for Website Development, Internet Advertising Competition and the MobileWebAwards, recognize the people and organizations responsible for developing the most effective online marketing programs on the Internet today. Entrants benefit from assessment of their marketing efforts by a professional judging panel and the marketing opportunities presented by being recognized as an award-winning web developer.Best Travel Website to be Named by Web Marketing Association in 26th Annual WebAward Competition
· Handsome statue or certificate of achievement
· Increased visibility for their company
· Marketing opportunity to promote the company website to the media
· Links to your site from the highly ranked WebAward site to help SEO
· Admiration of peers, friends and co-workers
§ 2020 – 4 Roads for Natural World Safaris
§ 2019 – VERB Interactive for VBT
§ 2018 – Visit Huntington Beach for Surf City USA
§ 2017 – Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Miles Partnership for Pure Michigan’s New Leisure Website
§ 2016 – Experience Grand Rapids for Experience Grand Rapids Website
§ 2015 – TripCreator ehf. for TripCreator.com
§ 2014 – USDM for Colorado Springs
§ 2013 – Pixo Punch Limited for Hong Kong Summer Spectacular Campaign
§ 2012 – Boyd Gaming Corporation for B Connected Online
§ 2011 – Civic Resource Group for Wyoming Travel and Tourism Web Portal and Online Management System
§ 2010 – TravelChannel.com & Razorfish for The New TravelChannel.com
§ 2009 – VisitSweden for VisitSweden
§ 2008 – Teehan+Lax Inc for AirMiles Make Like Miles
§ 2007 – Arnold Worldwide for Hungry Suitcase
§ 2006 – Hospitality eBusiness Strategies for RIU Cancun Portal
§ 2005 – Yellowstone Journal Corporation for YellowstonePark.com
2004 – Quicksilver Associates for Seabourn Cruise Line
2003 – Apollo Interactive for Excalibur Las Vegas Resort Hotel & Casino
2002 – Arnold Worldwide for Alaska
§ 2020 – UP Hotel Internet Marketing for Maison Panthere
§ 2019 – UP Hotel Internet Marketing for Qbic (2019 Best of Show)
§ 2018 – TravelClick, Inc. for Thistle Hotels
§ 2017 – [D³] Digital Design + Development for Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills – At The Center of Extraordinary (2017 Best of Show)
§ 2016 – HeBS Digital for Tsogo Sun
§ 2015 – HeBS Digital for Red Lion Hotels Website
§ 2014 – Forte Village Resort for Forte Village
§ 2013 – HeBS Digital for Crowne Plaza Times Square Manhattan
§ 2012 – TravelClick Web Solutions for Puente Romano
§ 2011 – Sabre Hospitality Solutions for The Shores Resort & Spa
§ 2010 – TRAVELCLICK for Harbour Grand Kowloon Hotel
§ 2009 – TravelCLICK for the Albert Hotel
§ 2008 – E-site Marketing for Hotel Terra Jackson Hole
§ 2007 – Cendyn for Stonewall Resort
§ 2006 – T3 (The Think Tank) for ExperienceMarriott.com
§ 2005 – Open World, LTD for WARWICK International Hotels
§ 2004 – Interactive Sites for The New York Palace web site
§ 2003 – Open World Limited for Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts
§ 2002 – FreeRun Technologies for Simpson House Inn
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Canada – Minister Joly to travel to Finland, Germany and Belgium
The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that she will be travelling to Finland, Germany and Belgium to coordinate with Canada’s partners on responses to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine. Canada is unwavering in our support of Ukraine and its people. We will continue to work together with our partners and Allies to impose severe costs on those responsible for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, seek accountability for their illegal actions, and support Ukrainians fleeing to safety and those who remain in Ukraine.
April 2, 2022 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada
The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that she will be travelling to Finland, Germany and Belgium to coordinate with Canada’s partners on responses to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine. Canada is unwavering in our support of Ukraine and its people. We will continue to work together with our partners and Allies to impose severe costs on those responsible for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, seek accountability for their illegal actions, and support Ukrainians fleeing to safety and those who remain in Ukraine.
In Helsinki, Finland, Minister Joly will meet with her Finnish counterpart, Minister Pekka Haavisto. As Transatlantic and Arctic partners, the Ministers will work to strengthen the Canada-Finland bilateral relationship and discuss ways to coordinate efforts on Arctic issues, support Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression and combat disinformation.
In Berlin, Germany, Minister Joly will attend the conference of the Moldova Support Platform, where she will exchange perspectives with partners on how to effectively support Moldova, counter Russian disinformation, and assist refugees forced out of Ukraine as a result of President Putin’s illegal war.
Finally, in Brussels, Belgium, Minister Joly will attend G7 and NATO foreign ministers’ meetings, where she will discuss continued coordination to enhance regional security in Eastern Europe.
“The war in Ukraine affects us all, and we must work together with the international community to respond to Vladimir Putin’s egregious acts. In partnership with our allies, we will continue to hold the Russian regime to account, provide humanitarian assistance where it is needed and reiterate our strong support for Ukraine and its people. Ukraine’s security isn’t just important for Ukraine, but for the world.
– Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Since Russia’s illegal occupation and attempted annexation of Crimea in 2014, Canada has sanctioned more than 1,000 individuals and entities, with many of those sanctions undertaken in coordination with allies and partners. Canada’s sanctions will impose asset freezes and prohibitions on listed persons.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Canada has sanctioned over 700 individuals and entities from Russia, Ukraine and Belarus.
Canada was a founding member of NATO in 1949. With its contributions to NATO since then, Canada’s has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the Alliance and to strengthening Allied capacity to respond to evolving security challenges.
On March 8, 2022, Canada announced it will renew of its multi-year commitment to Operation REASSURANCE, the Canadian Armed Forces support to NATO’s assurance and deterrence measures in Central and Eastern Europe, in response to the changing security situation on the alliance’s eastern flank.
Canada has up to 3,400 troops pledged to the NATO Response Force who can be deployed if directly requested by the alliance. This is a mix of army, air force and naval capabilities.
Canada – Minister Joly to travel to Ukraine, France and Belgium
Throughout its history, Canada has played a significant role in the creation and upholding of the rules-based international order, which is instrumental to the preservation of global peace and security. When these rules are challenged, Canada must stand up and work with its allies to prevent their deterioration.
January 15, 2022 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada
Throughout its history, Canada has played a significant role in the creation and upholding of the rules-based international order, which is instrumental to the preservation of global peace and security. When these rules are challenged, Canada must stand up and work with its allies to prevent their deterioration.
The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that she will be traveling to Europe to meet directly with several of her European counterparts and reaffirm Canada’s steadfast support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Minister’s meetings will build on Canada’s previous and ongoing engagement, including with NATO and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and focus on Russia’s aggression and ongoing destabilizing activities in and around Ukraine. Minister Joly will emphasize the importance of collective security and the role it plays in upholding Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence. Minister Joly will build on Canada’s already strong relationships with its European counterparts and work to strengthen international co-operation to advance democracy and human rights internationally.
In Kyiv, Ukraine, the Minister will meet with Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and Deputy Prime Minister Olga Stefanishyna. She will also meet with Canadian Armed Forces troops deployed on Operation UNIFIER to thank them directly for their important training mission in support of the Security Forces of Ukraine. In Paris, France, she will have a bilateral meeting with Jean-Yves Le Drian, France’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs. In Brussels, Belgium, Minister Joly will sit down with Sophie Wilmès, Belgium’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade; and Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General. The Minister will also meet Josep Borrell, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
The Minister will depart on Sunday, January 16, and return on Saturday, January 22. All COVID-19 related public health rules and guidelines will be followed before, during and after the Minister’s trip.
“The amassing of Russian troops and equipment in and around Ukraine jeopardizes security in the entire region. These aggressive actions must be deterred. Canada will work with its international partners to uphold the rules-based international order and preserve the human rights and dignity of Ukrainians.”
– Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs
KHM Travel Group Celebrates the Return of Travel at KHM Together Again
After nearly 600 days of virtual education and networking events, KHM Travel Group welcomed agents back at KHM Together Again. 158 travel agents and 34 suppliers joined the KHM Travel Group team for the in-person event on October 10-12 in Cleveland, Ohio. Highlights included agent and supplier-led panels, training sessions, a supplier trade show and multiple networking opportunities.
In the panels, agents shared business strategies that helped them successfully navigate the pandemic. Land and cruise panels with top executives gave insights into their updates and plans to better serve independent contractors and the host agency model in the future. ASTA and CLIA were also present to educate and inspire agents.
Agents heard firsthand from suppliers about the new programs and policies in place during presentations from Carnival Cruise Line, ALG Vacations, and Allianz. At the afternoon trade show, agents were able to re-connect with key suppliers, ask questions, and learn what’s in store for 2022.
During breakout sessions on compliance, groups, marketing, and supplier relations, attendees mixed education and fun–playing games like Agent Feud and “Cover it All” Compliance Bingo. Over the course of the event, 24 total prizes were given away from suppliers including free 7-day cruises, complimentary all-inclusive stays, and supplier-branded gear.
“Our industry thrives on supporting one another. It’s essential to develop strong partnerships – whether it’s with fellow travel agents, your host agency, suppliers, or consultants. One of our Core Values is teamwork and KHM Together Again was the best example of that concept coming to life,” said KHM Travel Group President and CEO Rick Zimmerman. “Our goal was to reflect on the past year, but also to share knowledge to pave a way to the future. It was amazing to witness the camaraderie at this event.”
Attendees walked away from KHM Together Again with new confidence, inspiration, and friendships. Given the positive response, KHM Travel Group is already hard at work planning a full schedule of in-person events in 2022.
To view photos from the event, visit KHM Travel Group’s Flickr account: www.flickr.com/photos/khmtravel
For more information about becoming a travel agent with KHM Travel Group and gaining access to educational events like KHM Together Again, visit KHMTravel.com.
About KHM Travel Group – KHM Travel Group is an award-winning host travel agency, currently supporting over 4,000 independent travel advisors across the United States. With an innovative education and support program, the KHM Travel Group team works to empower, educate, support, and promote independent travel agents in their journey to build successful businesses. KHM Travel Group is driven by a passion for sharing knowledge and helping others experience the world. Sign up to receive the Travel Advisor Today newsletter at https://khm.io/newsletter.
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