NEWS
TRAVEL NEWSGOOGLE COMBINES TRAVEL-RELATED
APPS AND PRODUCTS
Tech giants Google is combining your favourite
travel-related apps and tools like Google Trips,
Google Flights, and Google hotel search into
a single landing page known simply as Trips.
Now when you visit google.com/travel, you’ll be
redirected to Trips, where you can search for
flights, hotels, guides, and tour packages once you
key in your destination. Additionally, it can help
you track changes in flight costs. Upon booking
your trip, you can see your itinerary, confirmation
codes, info, and weather updates for the duration
of your holiday. Once you’re on your vacation,
you can also use Trips to make restaurant
reservations. Your reserved times and dates will
then show up when you go to the business info
page of the places you booked on Google Maps.
Trips is currently only available on web. For more
information, visit http://www.google.com/travel.
DELEGATES FROM 88 COUNTRIES AT AFRICA’S BIGGEST TRAVEL TRADE FAIR
Over 6,500 delegates, including 1,033 exhibitors and 1,502 buyers flocked the Inkosi
Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (Durban ICC) in Durban, South Africa to
unearth new gems in the continent. From 2 May to 4 May, exhibitors from 18 African
nations promoted their provinces and products to tour agents and media representatives
from across the world. Speaking at the event, South Africa’s Minister of Tourism, Derek
Hanekom said he envisions Africa to be welcoming some 126 million international tourists
by 2030. “Are we up to it? Yes, we most definitely are.” Hanekom said. South African
President Cyril Ramaphosa also made an appearance during the event, expressing how
important tourism is to the African continent. For more information, visit http://www.indaba-
southafrica.co.za.VINCI AIRPORTS BECOMES WORLD’S
SECOND LARGEST AIRPORT
OPERATOR
After the acquisition of majority shareholding
in London Gatwick Airport on 14 May, VINCI
Airports became the second largest airport
operator in the world. The second-busiest
airport of London adds 46 million passengers
to VINCI-operated airports, increasing the
total to 240 million passengers every year
across 46 airports from 12 countries. VINCI
Airports’ expertise will allow London Gatwick
to make further progress in quality of service,
airport management, and other areas.
This will be essential after London Gatwick
reported a growth of 4 percent in passenger
numbers in the first quarter of 2019. For more
information, visit http://www.vinci-airports.com.