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Travel loyalty programs to focus on offering personalized and flexible customer experiences in 2025

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New report from Rocket Travel by Agoda outlines how travel drives high levels of loyalty in commoditized marketplaces

SINGAPORE, Nov. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Travel-based loyalty programs continue to climb in popularity thanks to the sector’s ability to build loyalty through highly personalized customer experiences, according to a new report from Rocket Travel by Agoda.

Rocket Travel by Agoda’s 2025 Trend Report reveals that the top five airline loyalty programs alone saw a 7.75% average growth in valuation from 2020 to 2023 while some travel loyalty programs in the financial services sector have tripled in value since 2019.

“Unlike other industries, travel is something that people are emotionally invested in,” said Damien Pfirsch, Head of Rocket Travel by Agoda, the strategic partnerships arm of Agoda. “By offering real-world experiences that customers really care about, it’s easier for brands to turn transactional relationships into long-term partnerships with their customers.”

While the report noted a dip in levels of customer satisfaction for many customer loyalty programs post-Covid because of reductions in benefits, there was now an opportunity to re-ignite customer enthusiasm through more engaging online experiences.  For brands using Rocket Travel by Agoda solutions, some partners have seen 40% of loyalty users book more than once.

“Digital travel platforms are uniquely engineered to let customers design their own, highly personalized experience thanks to great search capabilities and a wide selection of destinations and accommodations – all at value-driven prices,” said Damien. “The technology is also highly customizable, so brands are able to offer their loyalty customers an enjoyable experience with all the look and feel of their main site.”

Other benefits include the ability to search based on distance to key points of interest, find refundable or flexible travel options, filters based on pricing data and localized languages. Meanwhile interactive tools proactively recommend options to the customer based on their preferences – like deep discounts for price-sensitive travel planners or options with high earning potential for points-hungry members – drive increased repeat rate and added long-term value from each customer.

“And these personalization capabilities are only going to get stronger as the industry embraces AI,” said Damien.

The report noted that travel-based loyalty programs tend to appeal to higher spending customers, presenting businesses with the opportunity to not only boost levels of customer engagement but also benefit from higher customer lifetime values.

“One of our partners has seen their most engaged loyalty program members typically spend 18% more on their travel loyalty platform, underscoring the power of well-utilized loyalty programs,” added Damien.

Elsewhere the report explores how travel-based loyalty programs offer partners the opportunity to tap into ancillary revenue streams.

“Travel loyalty programs also offer businesses the flexibility to drive ancillary revenue through expansion into adjacent verticals such as hotels, car hire and ground transportation,” said Damien. “For example, we worked closely with one of our partners to estimate that if they looked to offer trip insurance as an add on, they could boost incremental revenue by around $1.2 million and the early results are indeed looking promising.”

Rocket Travel by Agoda leverages its extensive industry expertise to guide partners in crafting loyalty programs that resonate with their audiences, build loyalty and support sustainable growth. With a clear focus on personalized and flexible offerings, brands can build lasting customer relationships and elevate their market presence in 2025 and beyond.

 

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SOURCE Agoda

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Dream11 Launches ‘Guru Home’ to Empower 50,000 Creators by 2028; Boosts India’s Online Sports Engagement

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The first-of-its-kind feature connects users to experts for team formulation insights and strategy

MUMBAI, India, Nov. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Dream11, the world’s largest fantasy sports platform with over 220 million users, today announced the launch of Guru Home, the first-of-its-kind feature focussed on providing users with insights on team formulation strategies from seasoned ‘Gurus’ across a range of sports. In support of India’s creator economy, particularly in Tier III and IV cities, Dream11 aims to on-board over 50,000 creators by 2028, with a focus on building communities with deep sports expertise and fueling fan engagement.

This feature not only provides authentic content and insights to improve team formulation strategies but also offers Gurus a valuable platform to showcase their expertise and build a sustainable source of income. At the same time, it will give sports fans unprecedented access to verified experts thereby reinforcing user trust, safety, and transparency.

Rahul Mirchandani, Chief Product Officer at Dream Sports, commented, “At Dream11, our user-first approach drives innovation and we’re excited to launch Guru Home in response to the growing demand for formalizing the creator economy in sports to enhance fan engagement. With India rapidly emerging as a global leader in the creator economy, this initiative not only enriches the fantasy sports experience but also empowers creators, providing them with economic opportunities. Guided by our vision to Make Sports Better, we’re committed to fostering a culture of passion and learning in sports.”

Leveraging best-in-class technology, Dream11 has designed Guru Home as a seamless, personalised, and dynamic hub for sports experts to share their knowledge. The feature is now live and available to all users on the Dream11 app.

About Dream11:

Dream11 is the world’s largest fantasy sports platform with over 220 million users playing fantasy cricket, football, kabaddi, basketball, hockey, volleyball, handball, rugby, futsal, American football & baseball, on it. Dream11 is the flagship brand of Dream Sports, India’s leading Sports Technology company and has partnerships with several national & international sports bodies and cricketers. For more information: www.dream11.com

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2560476/Dream11_Logo.jpg

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Global Times: Interdisciplinary technologies bring more cultural relics to life

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BEIJING, Nov. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — In a fully equipped laboratory in Beijing, a dragon-head architectural component from the Tang Dynasty (618-907) discovered at the Guzhou ruins in Xiong’an New Area, North China’s Hebei Province is prepped for a CT scan.

Thanks to the use of CT scans, 3D modeling, and other high-tech facilities in this laboratory, the restoration and research of the dragon head is progressing smoothly. The Key Laboratory of Archaeological Sciences and Cultural Heritage at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) is promoting the revitalization of more cultural relics with the help of technology, and has become a new example of cutting-edge technology used in archaeological work.

In recent years, China has intensified efforts to integrate technology into archaeology. Remote sensing satellites have been used to accurately document the shapes of excavation sites, 3D imaging can reconstruct collapsed underground spaces, and 3D digital modeling is now used to ­reverse-engineer and replicate decayed wooden boxes. Advances in deep-sea technology have expanded China’s underwater archaeology from depths of 50 meters to 2,000 meters.

These interdisciplinary collaborations are uncovering the limitless potential of archaeological science and continually enhancing China’s ability to protect cultural heritage.

“Technology and archaeology have always been areas of interdisciplinary integration and collaboration. Over the last century, the development of archaeology, from its traditional roots to the present, has been closely intertwined with technological advancements,” Chen Jiachang from the China Academy of Cultural Heritage told the Global Times.

“From the early integration of geology and archaeology to the modern-day application of advanced technologies, these innovations have increasingly aided archaeologists in analyzing remnants of ancient societies, reconstructing their structures, and understanding their social forms,” Chen said.

Technological power

The new laboratory consists of 13 sub-laboratories for archaeological sciences, five for cultural heritage conservation, and five joint archaeological laboratories. It integrates advanced technologies from disciplines including molecular biology, chemistry, geosciences and physics to facilitate interdisciplinary and inter-institutional research in archaeological science and heritage conservation.

Following laboratory analysis and preliminary cleaning of the dragon head’s eyes and nose, large areas of paint were found on the gray ceramic surface. The dragon’s pupils are black, while the eyeliner around them is green.

Liu Yong, head of the Key Laboratory of Archaeological Sciences and Cultural Heritage, recalled to the Global Times that “the top part of the dragon head is missing, and cracks can be seen in its nose and eyebrows, preventing any movement of the artifact.”

So further discovery of the dragon’s pupil and eyeliner colors can’t bear any more movement on the artifact.

One key reason has influenced the team’s decision to use curved-surface fluorescence technology to create a 3D model of the painted artifact. Fluorescence, with its penetrating properties, interacts with different elements to reveal colors hidden beneath layers of soil. “Normally, the green color shines from malachite, while the white ears are calcium carbonate, but we can only figure it out after the fluorescence test.”

“Because it couldn’t be moved, we used soil packing to stabilize it and employed CT scanning to examine whether the dragon head was solid or hollow,” Liu explained. “CT technology is primarily used on artifacts for pre-detection. It helps assess the preservation status and internal structure and provides information for protective cleaning.”

The development of portable CT technology has also transitioned such equipment from fixed to mobile, allowing for better balancing of artifact protection and research. “The goal is to maximize archaeological information while protecting the artifact,” Liu said.

Increasingly, not just field archaeologists but also physicists, geologists, and experts from various other fields are becoming involved in this emerging field of archaeological science.

Wider applications

From aerial and drone remote sensing to satellite remote sensing, these increasingly advanced technologies provide a broader distribution of data about archaeological sites, enabling more comprehensive hypotheses about historical scenarios.

“In the past, we used radar. Satellite remote sensing offers higher density points, forming more detailed surface information,” Chen said. “Now the application of technology helps archaeologists clarify ancient societal remains.”

Chen explained that technologies such as residue DNA analysis and isotope analysis, combined with archaeological interpretations of historical records and research, create a chain of factual evidence for the reconstruction of ancient societies. “It’s a collaboration across disciplines – unifying science and archaeology.”

However, even with advancements in technology and conservation, challenges remain. Natural weathering continues to pose problems for artifacts like the Yungang Grottoes and the Leshan Giant Buddha.

The conservation of stone grotto artifacts faces three main challenges: structural reinforcement, water infiltration prevention, and weathering resistance. While grouting and other techniques can address the first two problems through innovative approaches tailored to the artifact, combating weathering – considered a global challenge – requires breakthroughs in material research.

“Just as chip manufacturing needs new material development, creating advanced infiltration reinforcement materials is key to preserving grottoes,” Chen said.

There are more advanced technologies playing necessary roles in China’s significant archeological projects beyond the conservation of stone grottoes. For instance, in the conservation of Sanxingdui artifacts, the application of ivory analysis revealed similarities in structure and materials to those of stone grottoes. This fusion of technology and archaeology has allowed Sanxingdui artifacts to gain renewed life.

Ultimately, the goal of technology in archaeology is to reconstruct the framework of ancient societies, revealing the structures and dynamics of human life within their historical contexts. “Archaeology and technology complement each other, creating a synergistic effect,” Chen concluded.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-times-interdisciplinary-technologies-bring-more-cultural-relics-to-life-302309382.html

SOURCE Global Times

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Grand Opening of The 2nd China Marine Equipment Expo on November 15th

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FUZHOU, China, Nov. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — On November 15th, the highly anticipated exhibition of the marine equipment industry, the 2nd China Marine Equipment Expo (CMEE) began its opening ceremony in the city of Fuzhou, Fujian, at the Fuzhou Strait International Conference and Exhibition Center.

This year’s CMEE spans 100,000 square meters. The indoor exhibition area, covering 80,000 square meters, is located in Halls 1-8 of the Fuzhou Strait International Conference and Exhibition Center, featuring 15 major exhibition sections. The yacht exhibition, covering 20,000 square meters, is located at the Guancheng Datong Marina, adjacent to the exhibition center. Focusing on “Green Intelligence, New Quality Future,” the exhibition invited Norway as the first Honourable Guest Country, and attracted nearly 800 renowned marine-related enterprises, universities, and research institutions. Alongside numerous long-standing partners, including China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), China Three Gorges Corporation, DongFang Electric Corporation, Nanjing Iron and Steel, Beijing New Building Materials, Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding, Fujian Shipbuilding, Ningde Future, Shenhao Technology, China Classification Society, American Bureau of Shipping, Registro Italiano Navale, Harbin Engineering University, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, new partners, including Shell, Wärtsilä, Accelleron, Kongsberg, Burckhardt, PetroChina, China National Nuclear Corporation, China General Nuclear Power Group, CRRC, Huadian Heavy Industries, CATL, BYD, Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group, Yuchai Cynland Hyentech, ChinaLCO, and Boya Gongdao Robot Technology, also joined, offering a multi-level, multi-dimensional, and multi-sectoral view of the marine equipment industry’s robust growth.

Over 7,000 products are on display, including notable innovations such as CSSC’s first domestically-built large cruise ship, the “Aida Modu”, Burckhardt’s LNG-BOG compressor 2KM90MG, China Classification Society’s Ship Clean Energy Comprehensive Assessment System, Ningde Future’s 7.5-meter polyethylene methanol ship, Supcon’s integrated solution for “Automatic Control + Autonomous Ships + Ship-Shore IT Integration + Maritime Cybersecurity,” Shell’s Alexia 40XC high-performance cylinder lubricant, and BYD’s marine power supply. These state-of-the-art marine technologies and equipment represent the latest advancements in the marine equipment industry worldwide.

Over 30 professional forums, meetings, and science outreach activities will be held, including 16 forums, 10 procurement matchmaking meetings, promotion and unveiling ceremonies, 5 interactive science outreach activities, and 7 livestreams. Over 200 industry leaders and professionals in marine economy, and officials from leading companies gave key speeches exploring cutting-edge technology in the marine field, creating a platform for professionals to discuss challenges and opportunities.

The 2024 China Shipbuilding Industry Annual Conference, jointly organized by the China Association of the National Shipbuilding Industry and 714th Research Institute of CSSC, will be held from November 15-18, featuring a main forum, the Shipbuilding Industry 50 Forum, and 12 specialized forums. Topics include sustainable development in the shipbuilding industry (ESG), maritime cybersecurity, smart ocean industry development, marine green materials, energy management in shipbuilding, and new technologies and materials for ship coating and welding. The conference will cover policy interpretation, industry development, and technology trends, providing fresh insights, experiences, and ideas to drive development in the shipbuilding and marine engineering equipment sectors. The release of the “Blue Book of the Development of the Shipbuilding Industry” and the “China Shipbuilding Industry Intellectual Property Development Report” will also be featured during the conference.

This year, CMEE has received the full support of the 714th Research Institute, further emphasizing international exchanges and cooperation, deepening “Blue Partnerships,” focusing on highlighting advanced technologies in the marine equipment sector, facilitating the commercialization of achievements and industrial penetration, placing greater importance on marine culture, fostering a cohesive drive for building a central marine city.

Setting CMEE apart from other marine exhibitions, is the establishment of a 20,000-square-meter outdoor exhibition area that includes an immersive yacht experience combining science outreach activities, interactions, and hands-on activities, the standout feature of CMEE.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/grand-opening-of-the-2nd-china-marine-equipment-expo-on-november-15th-302309392.html

SOURCE China Marine Equipment Expo

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