Tag Archives: AI

Naidu explores AI-driven civil aviation solutions with YouTube & Google

Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Rammohan Naidu, has engaged in detailed discussions with YouTube Global Head, Neel Mohan,Google Asia Pacific Region Head, Sanjay Gupta, MD -government Affairs, Sreenivas Reddy, and Global VP for Youtube Government Affairs, Lesslie Miller in New Delhi yesterday.

The Minister has aimed at leveraging technology for the advancement of civil aviation and governance in this landmark meeting.
During the meeting, the leaders deliberated on the advancing role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in governance and explored innovative Google solutions that can enhance governance using AI. Naidu emphasised the potential of AI to streamline processes, improve efficiency, and foster transparency within the civil aviation sector.

Naidu expressed his optimism about the positive outcomes of this collaboration, stating, “The integration of AI and technology in governance and civil aviation holds immense potential. By working together with tech giants like YouTube and Google, we can create a more efficient, informed, and innovative aviation sector that benefits all.”

Mohan highlighted the significant growth of YouTube’s content creation capacity, which has been instrumental in educating and entertaining billions worldwide. He emphasized the importance of creating impactful content that can drive awareness and knowledge across various sectors.

Naidu has utilised this opportunity to request YouTube’s collaboration in spreading more awareness and knowledge about civil aviation. He envisioned a partnership where YouTube could play a pivotal role in educating the public about the intricacies and advancements within the aviation sector, thereby fostering a more informed and engaged audience.

Furthermore, Naidu urged Google to explore collaboration opportunities for aviation-related start-ups. He highlighted the challenges faced by the aviation industry and sought Google’s expertise in developing innovative solutions to address these problems. The potential partnership aims to support start-ups that can contribute to the growth and development of the aviation sector through cutting-edge technology and innovative approaches.

The meeting concluded with a mutual agreement to explore these collaboration opportunities further and to work towards implementing innovative solutions that can drive the future of civil aviation and governance.

Surpassing 2019 levels, business travel spend to reach USD 1.48tn by year end: GBTA

According to the latest GBTA Business Travel Index Report, because of economic stability, pent-up demand and recovery momentum spending in the business travel industry is projected to surpass USD 2 trillion by 2028.
Meanwhile, the forecast by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), a business travel and meetings trade organisation, for 2024 predicts global business travel spending will reach USD 1.48 trillion USD by the end of the year, an increase on 2019 spending which was a previous record at USD 1.43 trillion.

“We are witnessing the expected rebound in the sector, reflecting the resilience and adaptability of businesses and the value of business travel worldwide,” said Suzanne Neufang, CEO, GBTA. “With projected spending expected to continue to increase through 2028, the future of business travel looks promising. However, we must remain vigilant and adaptive to potential headwinds in this period of stabilisation, as factors such as changing economic conditions, technological advancements and sustainability developments will also shape the sector ahead.”

GBTA shared that global business travel spending is anticipated to increase 11.1% in 2024. Growth is expected to continue to gradually moderate, resulting in an annual compound growth rate of 6.95% from 2025 to 2028.
According to GBTA, in 2023, the business travel industry had recovered approximately $675 billion of the USD 770 billion lost in 2020, according to GBTA BTI analysis, achieving 93% of the pre-pandemic peak of USD 1.43 trillion by the end of 2023. The sector experienced a significant resurgence in 2023, with spending growing by 30% compared to 2022, reaching USD 1.3 trillion.

The estimated breakdown of the USD 1.34 trillion in 2023 business travel expenditures includes USD 501 billion for lodging, USD 282 billion for air travel, USD 245 billion for food and beverage, USD 165 billion for ground transportation and USD 142 billion for other travel expenses.

Meanwhile, recovery in business travel continues to vary by region.
GBTA revealed that Asia Pacific emerged as the fastest-growing region in 2023 (36%), followed by Western Europe (33%) and North America (25%). The recovery bounce back was led in 2023 by the U.S, Middle East and Africa, and Latin America, all achieving 100% or more of 2019 spending numbers. For 2024, China and the U.S. are forecast to continue to lead as the top two markets, respectively, for overall business travel spending.
Business travel spending also continues to differ across industries.

GBTA’s report states that the financial and insurance activities sector is projected to experience the most significant expansion (72%) in business travel spending through 2028. Conversely, the retail trade (41%) and agriculture, forestry and fishing (32%) sectors are anticipated to see the least growth during this period.

With an optimistic outlook overall, there are factors that could impact business travel’s longer-term forecast, such as persistent inflation, China’s slower recovery, geopolitical tensions, industry workforce challenges and incidence of natural disasters. Increased focus on corporate sustainability also has the potential to impact the sector, demonstrating the vital importance of coordinated action across the industry for business travel’s future.

GBTA’s data also points out that potential upside impacts for the business travel sector include ongoing economic stability, technological advancements, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI), and stronger-than-expected economic growth in key markets like the U.S. and India.

GBTA’s survey of 4,100 business travellers across 28 countries and four regions (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America), revealed an increase in overall business travel, with international travel remaining below average. 64% of business travellers globally report increased spending on business travel compared to 2023. However, over one-third (37%) say they have experienced more restrictive travel policies since pre-COVID.

GBTA highlights that business travellers globally estimate their own spending, on average, amounts to USD 834 per person based on their last business trip. Lodging accounts for USD 312, on average, and food and beverage is USD 153. Air travel averages USD 176 while ground transportation (USD 103) and miscellaneous expenses (USD 89) round out the total.A majority of survey respondents (81%) reported that their most recent business trip was very (46%) or moderately (35%) worthwhile in achieving their business objectives. When asked about their most recent business trip, the most common purpose of travel among all global business travellers is attending seminars/training followed by conventions/conferences.

Compared to 2019, 76% of business travellers travelled the same or more for business travel. Those traveling more (28%) outpaced those who travel less (20%) over the same period. Although overall business travel has increased, both international and group travel remain, on average, lower than 2019 levels. Two-fifths (40%) of the trips taken are three-to-five-night stays, while two-night stays account for one-third (32%). Additionally, 58% said they extended work trips for leisure or vacation about the same (41%) or more frequently (17%) than previous.

When asked about their greatest priorities while traveling for work, maximising comfort (43%) and minimising cost (41%) are on the same level globally, with 16% saying reducing carbon emissions. Additionally, European travellers (22%) are more likely to prioritise reducing their carbon footprint compared to other regions.

GBTA’s data revealed that when it comes to payment methods for business travel, nearly two-thirds (61%) of global business travellers across all regions are given a corporate credit card. Credit card utilisation is significantly higher among North American business travellers, as nearly a third put 100% of their trip expenses on their corporate card.
Additionally, three in five (59%) business travellers surveyed have uploaded their corporate credit card to a mobile wallet and approximately 87% report they use their mobile wallet for at least 10% of their business travel transactions.

Need to seize job opportunities created by tourism sector, says Economic Survey

India needs to seize the opportunity provided by the tourism sector that represents a relatively low-hanging fruit for job creation amid a challenging environment in services and manufacturing industries due to the rise of AI, protectionism and supply concerns, the Economic Survey said on Monday.

India’s tourism industry showed positive signs of revival post-pandemic and witnessed over 92 lakh foreign tourist arrivals in 2023, implying a YoY increase of 43.5 per cent, while the hospitality industry has risen to meet the increasing number of tourists’ needs by creating the highest amount of new supply in 2023 with the addition of 14,000 rooms, it noted.

Citing the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI) 2024 Report, the Economic Survey 2023-24 emphasised the need for improvements in tourist services and infrastructure and the development of a skilled workforce.

“In a challenging environment for employment generation in services due to the rise of AI and manufacturing due to rising protectionism, transportation costs and supply concerns, the tourism sector represents a relatively low-hanging fruit for job creation. India has to seize the opportunity,” the Survey, tabled in Parliament on Monday, asserted.

To formalise employment within this sector, the Ministry of Tourism has initiated the Incredible India Tourism Facilitator Certificate Programme. It aims to create a skilled cadre of tourist facilitators nationwide through a digital platform that offers online learning opportunities and certification courses, it noted.

The Survey acknowledged that India’s travel and tourism (T&T) sector has been influenced by global inflationary pressures and delays in the recovery of capacity, similar to other economies.

“However, the decline in price competitiveness since 2021 has been minimal compared to its peers, with only a 0.7 per cent drop. India’s decline is particularly slight at just 0.1 per cent from 2021 levels, which reflects the government’s consistent efforts to maintain stability despite the slowdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” it said.

India has significantly earned foreign exchange receipts amounting to over Rs 2.3 lakh crore through tourism, indicating a 65.7 per cent YoY increase. The country’s share of foreign exchange earnings in world tourism receipts increased from 1.38 per cent in 2021 to 1.58 per cent in 2022, the Survey noted.

Similarly, it said the hospitality industry has risen to meet the increasing number of tourists’ needs and to elevate the
“In 2023, the highest amount of new supply was created with the addition of 14,000 rooms, bringing the total inventory of chain-affiliated rooms to 183,000 in India,” the Survey said adding, that hoteliers are increasingly leveraging technology to personalise guest experiences and improve operational efficiencies.

Hotels are also adopting innovative operational strategies, such as leasing or managing external restaurant, spa, and lounge brands, to capitalise on established concepts that attract hotel residents, thereby boosting revenue. In FY24, the average daily rate increased from Rs 6704 to Rs 7616, marking a YoY growth of 13.6 per cent, it said.

Noting that the tourism sector has embraced the digital revolution, the Survey said, “One such initiative is E-Marketplace, designed to facilitate interactions between tourists and certified tourist facilitators and guides through web and mobile applications.”

FCM’s AI Centre of Excellence offers seamless integration with various ecosystems

The flagship corporate travel division of ASX-listed Flight Centre Travel Group, FCM Travel, empowers thousands of business travellers in India, with technology tools integrated within one global platform.

Known as the alternative business travel management company, FCM’s comprehensive travel technology solution is built based on internal and external customers’ needs.

FCM most recently established an “AI Centre of Excellence” to harness the power of AI to enrich customer experiences, boost employee productivity and strengthen the relationship between the human workforce and hands-on AI applications.

Utilising generative AI, the platform personalises travel experiences to suit individual preferences. Its plug-and-play technology allows seamless integration with various ecosystems, including ERP systems, CRM tools, and third-party travel apps.

With a simple login, this end-to-end ecosystem enables business travellers to book their travels, get travel approvals, be notified about safety and risks, manage payments and expenses, reconcile GST, calculate sustainability metrics, and provide reporting and analytics with data protection.

The FCM platform is designed for seamless use on both desktop and mobile devices, enabling travel bookers, managers, and travellers to effortlessly handle their corporate travel needs, even when on the move.

The globally consistent interface of the proprietary booking tools offers diverse content choices, from competitive airfares, and hotel rates, to car rental options, no matter where they are – all while adhering to travel policies, giving travel managers the power of instant approvals for pre-or post-trip.

As safety is of utmost importance, the FCM Platform provides real-time alerts and notifications, safe booking technology, traveller tracking dashboards, the ability to integrate with third-party risk providers and a team of dedicated experts who ensure that travellers are supported 24/7.

FCM’s expense management tool simplifies the expense reporting process with high accuracy. Mobile first and easy to use, expenses can be filed in seconds. Integrated with all leading credit card platforms, travel expenses can be auto-created and auto-categorised. It also has intelligent policy compliance which reduces fraud and generative AI is used to auto-read invoices and check for duplicates.

FCM Platform in India has an automated Airline GST Invoice Reconciliation tool which helps companies match each issued ticket with the corresponding invoices which increases the accuracy of claiming input tax credit.

This AI-powered reporting tool securely captures data, providing insights into a company’s travel expenditures, needs, patterns, and sustainability metrics, transforming analytics into actionable strategies.

Fitment of 7,000 staff to be completed next month for AI-Vistara merger

More than 7,000 employees of Air India and Vistara have been assessed and their fitment will be complete in June as the merger process of two Tata Group-owned airlines progresses, sources said on Monday.

Air India CEO and MD Campbell Wilson along with Vistara CEO Vinod Kannan held a one-and-a-half-hour long townhall meeting with the employees of both carriers about the proposed merger. Air India and Vistara together have more than 23,500 employees. Air India and Vistara together have more than 23,500 employees.

At the phygital meeting, Campbell said more than 7,000 staff have been assessed and their fitment will be completed in June, as per the sources. The roles and responsibilities of these employees, including the flying staff, will be clear by the end of next month. The roles and responsibilities of these employees, including the flying staff, will be clear by the end of next month.

Around 120 pilots are already seconded between Vistara and Air India, and the movement of employees will continue between the two carriers through secondment. To ensure fairness and transparency, the staffs has been informed that the organisation structure has been finalised with the help of a global consulting firm, leveraging benchmarking and learning from the overall airline industry, the sources said.

To ensure fairness and transparency, the staffs has been informed that the organisation structure has been finalised with the help of a global consulting firm, leveraging benchmarking and learning from the overall airline industry, the sources said.

The plans for fleet expansion, network growth and enhanced service over the next few years have also been taken into consideration while deciding on the organisation structure. The chiefs assured that the fitment or assignment of existing employees into the new structure is being done on the basis of merit and competency. The chiefs assured that the fitment or assignment of existing employees into the new structure is being done on the basis of merit and competency.

Kannan, who is also the Chief Integration Officer for the merger, spoke about the process so far and the work that has been undertaken so far in anticipation of the merger. He also mentioned about the organisation design process, the fitment of employees and the next steps in the integration journey, the sources added.

The merger, which will create one of the biggest airline groups, was announced in November 2022. Once the deal is complete, Singapore Airlines will have a 25.1 per cent stake in Air India. Vistara is a joint venture between Singapore Airlines and Tata Group. The merger, which will create one of the biggest airline groups, was announced in November 2022. Once the deal is complete, Singapore Airlines will have a 25.1 per cent stake in Air India. Vistara is a joint venture between Singapore Airlines and Tata Group.

Campbell also spoke about Air India’s vision and plans and the status of the regulatory approvals. The sources said there will be department-wise townhall meetings in the coming days to apprise the staff about various aspects of the merger.

Campbell said that customers of Air India and Vistara will have more options and greater choices across the combined airline’s robust worldwide route network. Employees of the combined airline will benefit from being part of the combined Air India Group with a vision of an accelerated growth path and a stable financial foundation, he said. Employees of the combined airline will benefit from being part of the combined Air India Group with a vision of an accelerated growth path and a stable financial foundation, he said.

The merger is awaiting a nod from the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) in India. In March this year, Singapore’s competition regulator CCCS gave a conditional nod for the proposed merger. In September 2023, the deal received approval from the Competition Commission of India (CCI), subject to certain conditions. In March this year, Singapore’s competition regulator CCCS gave a conditional nod for the proposed merger. In September 2023, the deal received approval from the Competition Commission of India (CCI), subject to certain conditions.

Tata Group took over the reins of loss-making Air India in January 2022. (Source: PTI)

Skyscanner introduces Savvy Search with AI

 

Leveraging the immense power of AI alongside its extensive flight search capabilities, global travel app Skyscanner introduces its exclusive Savvy Search tool. With access to over 18 million unique flight routes and a daily search volume exceeding 80 billion prices, Skyscanner’s app now empowers travellers to effortlessly articulate their travel desires, prompting the tool to unveil personalised recommendations tailored to their preferences.

Utilising Open AI’s Chat GPT technology, Savvy Search simplifies the trip planning process. Users can articulate their travel aspirations, from common queries like seeking a budget-friendly European city break in October to more specific desires such as planning a 30th birthday celebration with vibrant nightlife and delectable cuisine. Based on these inputs, Savvy Search curates up to three destination recommendations, integrating rich imagery and detailed descriptions to showcase the distinct attributes of each suggestion.

Unlike many other AI-driven travel tools and chatbots, Savvy Search combines visual elements with comprehensive destination narratives to offer a holistic understanding of each recommendation. Once users select a destination, they are seamlessly directed to Skyscanner’s flight search platform to compare prices and book their ideal flight.

Piero Sierra, Chief Product Officer, Skyscanner, emphasises the platform’s evolution in catering to wanderlust-driven travelers. Over the past 17 years, Skyscanner has been assisting adventurers with its Everywhere search feature, catering to the growing trend of travelers exploring without a predetermined destination. With the integration of AI technologies, Skyscanner is poised to further enhance the discovery phase of travelers’ journey, aligning with evolving travel trends highlighted in Skyscanner’s Travel Trends 2024 report.

To commemorate the launch of Savvy Search, Skyscanner shares insights gleaned from the tool’s beta phase, showcasing some of the most intriguing user queries:

Escaping life’s worries: Savvy Search recommends Goa, India, with its serene beaches, vibrant markets, and delectable cuisine, offering an ideal setting for relaxation.

Astrophotography enthusiasts: Norway emerges as the top destination to witness the Northern Lights, providing a breathtaking spectacle for capturing memorable images.

Romantic getaways: Udaipur, India, with its majestic palaces and tranquil lakes, offers a picturesque backdrop for proposing, setting the stage for unforgettable moments of love.

Skateboarding enthusiasts: Barcelona, Spain, stands out as a warm holiday destination with numerous skateboarding opportunities amidst its rich cultural offerings.

Workcation seekers: Bali, Indonesia, renowned for its idyllic beaches and thriving cafe culture, provides a perfect blend of relaxation and productivity for those seeking a change of scenery.