News in Brief: Tuesday February 18
Expedia has reported six weeks of record trading through its Travel Agent Affiliate Program (TAAP) since launching a new version of its portal just before Christmas
The new TAAP 3.0 portal features significantly streamlined log-in and back end processes. Login has been modified to a single step process, with TAAP 3.0 automatically generating unbranded vouchers for agents to self-brand, print or forward to their customers.
It also features the automatic generation of a GDS string which agents can cut and paste into their GDS.
Australian arrivals to Canada in 2013 climbed 2.36% to 264,000, official government figures have shown.
The increase was helped by growth in December of 2.6% to 24,000. New Zealand arrivals fell 4.55% in December but increased 7.4% to 49,000 for the year.
Total international visitors to Canada hit 4.58 million, up 2.8% on the previous year.
Madagascar and Namibia have been added by New Horizon Holidays to its 2014 Africa program, while family packages to South Africa have also been introduced.
A range of new properties are also new, including Cape Grace Hotel in Cape Town and Camp Jabulani and Zindoga Villa in Kruger National Park, along with a three-day Rwanda Gorilla Safari.
Managing director Chris Evans claimed sales of its Africa program are 155% ahead of last year.
Singapore Airlines has warned that the operating environment remains tough despite carrying more passengers and filling more seats.
Demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometres, climbed 2.2% in January. With capacity rising only 1.3%, loads as a result increased 0.8 percentage points to 79.1%.
On Pacific routes, loads saw a 1.3 point lift to almost 85%.
But the carrier again warned that yields will be put under pressure as efforts are made to stimulate demand.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
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