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                        <title>Paloma Hotels invites you to the table during Travel Gala</title>

            <link>https://www.travmagazine.nl/en/paloma-hotels-invites-you-to-join-them-at-the-table-during-travel-gala/</link>
            <comments>https://www.travmagazine.nl/en/paloma-hotels-invites-you-to-join-them-at-the-table-during-travel-gala/#respond</comments>

            <pubDate>Thu, 15 Jan 2026 09:00:07 +0000</pubDate>

            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Advertorial]]></dc:creator>

            		<category><![CDATA[accommodations]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

            <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.travmagazine.nl/paloma-hotels-invites-you-to-join-them-at-the-table-during-travel-gala/</guid>

            
            <description><![CDATA[
Paloma Hotels is a Turkish hotel chain with 4 and 5 star (mainly all-inclusive) hotels, and would like to get in touch with travel sellers during the Travel Gala to get to know them better. Paloma Hotels has kept a few free seats available at their table. Take advantage of this unique opportunity and experience &hellip; Lees verder            ]]></description>

            
            <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Paloma Hotels is a Turkish hotel chain with 4 and 5 star (mainly all-inclusive) hotels, and would like to get in touch with travel sellers during the Travel Gala to get to know them better. Paloma Hotels has kept a few free seats available at their table. Take advantage of this unique opportunity and experience the Travel Gala! Would you like to attend the Travel Gala on 27 January? Send an email to Angelique de Roose.  angelique.deroose@palomahotels.com

The post Paloma Hotels invites you to the table during Travel Gala appeared first on TravMagazine.
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                        <title>Column: Vakantiebeurs crash</title>

            <link>https://www.travmagazine.nl/en/column-vakantiebeurs-crash/</link>
            <comments>https://www.travmagazine.nl/en/column-vakantiebeurs-crash/#respond</comments>

            <pubDate>Thu, 16 Jan 2025 11:04:15 +0000</pubDate>

            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tijn Kramer]]></dc:creator>

            		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

            <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.travmagazine.nl/column-vakantiebeurs-crash/</guid>

            
            <description><![CDATA[
The Vakantiebeurs is, in its own words, a &#8216;resounding success&#8217;. May I express my serious doubts about that? First of all, logically, several fingers are now going up in the air. ‘Yes, but your employer Travel Media will compete in 2026, as a partner of the new Holiday Festival in Den Bosch. Your opinion is &hellip; Lees verder            ]]></description>

            
            <content:encoded><![CDATA[
The Vakantiebeurs is, in its own words, a &#8216;resounding success&#8217;. May I express my serious doubts about that? First of all, logically, several fingers are now going up in the air. ‘Yes, but your employer Travel Media will compete in 2026, as a partner of the new Holiday Festival in Den Bosch. Your opinion is biased .’ I can&#8217;t argue much against that reasoning, other than that I do my job now as a journalist/columnist and simply ask you to read my argumentation and judge for yourself. Having said that, competition is vital for the Dutch market economy and consumers usually benefit from it. Textbook 1 Economics.    Good luck?  Ok, on to Vakantiebeurs 2025. Was it a resounding success? My personal observation is that the event is already seriously in the doldrums post-Covid. Especially if you compare it to one or two decades ago. At that time, the Vakantiebeurs was a crown jewel of the Dutch travel industry, which no entrepreneur wanted to compete with. With the best will in the world, it can no longer be called a crown jewel. But here too, put your own observation next to mine. In fact, we can say that many large parties have dropped out much earlier than TUI and Corendon, among others, this year. Ditto a lot of audience and that terrible word: &#8216;experience&#8217;. The countless live music performances, the conviviality, the great diversity of eateries, the much larger global coverage of destinations. It was indeed an experience&#8230; ever. But the Royal Jaarbeurs has let things go to waste, with a quasi-innovative step forward each time, but unfortunately also two steps back. What a pity. I certainly always loved the trade day, a kind of Queen&#8217;s Day for work. It is no longer so. Everyone sees it and knows it, especially off the record. Except for the Royal Jaarbeurs.                  Criticism?  It would have been commendable if the Jaarbeurs had acknowledged the decline and taken the constructive criticism of the travel industry to heart. And that&#8217;s what actually bothers me the most. Because what are they doing in Utrecht? They go off the field cheering like FC Kop in het Zand&#8230; The press release speaks of a &#8216;resounding success&#8217; and &#8216;great satisfaction among exhibitors at the well-attended Vakantiebeurs. Together with more than 900 exhibitors, the organization has inspired more than 71,000 visitors with travel information.&#8221; How enthusiastically they bring it! Everyone champagne. On the Facebook page of the Jaarbeurs, it was a lot less festive in the comments of visitors. But yes, vox popoli on socials, don&#8217;t start. Not illustrative. At most indicative. So back to the success of the hard and beautiful numbers. More than 71,000 visitors, a success. Doubt But is that really the case? I have my doubts about the numbers. More than 71,000 visitors for five days, one of which is only for trade visitors: an average of 14,200 visitors per day *. This over, according to the Telegraph, 46,000 square meters. Can someone explain this to me? The successful Huishoudbeurs in the RAI, the largest consumer fair in the Netherlands, attracted more than 100,000 high-quality (whatever that may be) visitors in 8 days last year. An average of 12,500 per day. And all this spread over all twelve halls of the RAI, more than 112,000 square meters. Am I correctly concluding that the Vakantiebeurs in 2025 will again be significantly more successful than the Huishoudbeurs? Both in average number of visitors per day and visitors per square meter. Is this correct RAI? Is this Jaarbeurs correct? My kingdom for an accountant. I could not find out the number of exhibitors mentioned of more than 900 either. On the website of the Vakantiebeurs itself, about 790 are mentioned, including the well-known exhibitors with a &#8216;non-travel product&#8217;. Cat A cornered cat makes strange jumps. Is that it? Is that also the reason for the ever-changing &#8216;vision&#8217;. Now all of a sudden, Vakantiebeurs research shows that visitors don&#8217;t want to book but get inspired. In 2023 it was still &#8216;We have heard from many exhibitors that their stands were well attended and many trips were booked&#8217;. Large, now absent, parties such as TUI and Corendon were still praised in communication last year, now there is &#8216;understanding&#8217; that these are not there because&#8230; On RTV Utrecht, 7 January: &#8216;Most people come to the fair to get inspiration or to get to know new cultures&#8230;&#8216; They are also more common for specialist providers than large companies. ‘                             They seek experts who know the details about certain regions or countries. They come for the gems, the hidden areas &#8216;, according to the exhibition manager. Because the larger companies don&#8217;t know them? Again that lack of self-reflection. So it was not the fault of the Vakantiebeurs that larger travel parties dropped out. It was already the wish of the visitors. It will be, yes. Bread Somewhere it stops. I would have sincerely understood if the Royal Jaarbeurs had put its own house in order in recent years and had done something with the feedback and indeed circulating criticism from exhibitor and visitor. They didn&#8217;t do that well. Arrogance of the monopolist? The historic event can/could count on a lot of sympathy, but you don&#8217;t buy bread for that. In recent years, the Vakantiebeurs has really opened its doors wide for competition, consumers who are running away and exhibitors dropping out. Harsh, but true. Tijn Kramer              *(Note: There is still the complicating factor of &#8216;trade visitors&#8217;. There were 8,150 last year (still unknown). If again the same, we are talking about 62,850 consumer visitors over four days, an average of 15,712 trade fair visitors per consumer day).    
&nbsp;
The post Column: Vakantiebeurs crash appeared first on TravMagazine.
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                        <title>Will you be there? RMC Meetup, Thursday 12 December: international business in the travel industry</title>

            <link>https://www.travmagazine.nl/en/will-you-be-there-rmc-meetup-thursday-12-december-international-business-in-the-travel-industry/</link>
            <comments>https://www.travmagazine.nl/en/will-you-be-there-rmc-meetup-thursday-12-december-international-business-in-the-travel-industry/#respond</comments>

            <pubDate>Tue, 10 Dec 2024 18:00:28 +0000</pubDate>

            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Theo de Reus]]></dc:creator>

            		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[RMC]]></category>

            <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.travmagazine.nl/will-you-be-there-rmc-meetup-thursday-12-december-international-business-in-the-travel-industry/</guid>

            
            <description><![CDATA[
International business offers enormous opportunities for travel companies. But how do you make the most of them? How do you deal smartly with different currencies, international payments and tax challenges? On Thursday 12 December , the Travel Management Club will bring together the best experts from the financial world during an exclusive Meetup. In one &hellip; Lees verder            ]]></description>

            
            <content:encoded><![CDATA[
International business offers enormous opportunities for travel companies. But how do you make the most of them? How do you deal smartly with different currencies, international payments and tax challenges?  
On Thursday 12 December , the Travel Management Club will bring together the best experts from the financial world during an exclusive Meetup. In one afternoon, they share their practical experience, concrete tips and inspiring examples of successful international growth in the travel industry. A unique opportunity to increase your knowledge and apply it directly in your own organization.  
Everyone is welcome from 15.00 hrs , at 15.30 the first speaker will take the stage with an expected end at 17.00 hrs.
After this inspiring session, you can network during drinks until approximately 6.30 pm.
Ebury &amp; Travwizards.com join forces to provide you with concrete solutions:

Speaker 1: Duco Royaards – The changing payment landscape
Speaker 2: Ger Swinkels – Guest speaker of Travwizards.com
Speaker 3: Peter Post – Smart currency management for travel companies
Speaker 4: Paul Erdmann – How Matoke Tours Improved Their Margins

Register today and secure yourself a spot at this valuable meeting!
Date: Thursday 12 December Location: Het Ketelhuis, Mussenstraat 9 in Hilversum
Time: 15.00 – 18:30
Make sure you are there and sign up now!
Sign up here!
Registration is only reserved for members of the RMC. Not a member yet?  Click here and register for free.
The post Will you be there? RMC Meetup, Thursday 12 December: international business in the travel industry appeared first on TravMagazine.
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                        <title>Column: Hahgse wèsheide</title>

            <link>https://www.travmagazine.nl/en/column-hahgse-wesheide/</link>
            <comments>https://www.travmagazine.nl/en/column-hahgse-wesheide/#respond</comments>

            <pubDate>Thu, 07 Nov 2024 13:25:22 +0000</pubDate>

            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tijn Kramer]]></dc:creator>

            		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

            <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.travmagazine.nl/column-hahgse-wesheide/</guid>

            
            <description><![CDATA[
If I have understood correctly, the travel industry will no longer be allowed to advertise in the public space of The Hague as of January 1, 2025. In other words: no happy holidaying families at the bus shelters of the tram stops there. Something with clean air on site and other regency patronizing. Fortunately, there &hellip; Lees verder            ]]></description>

            
            <content:encoded><![CDATA[
If I have understood correctly, the travel industry will no longer be allowed to advertise in the public space of The Hague as of January 1, 2025. In other words: no happy holidaying families at the bus shelters of the tram stops there. Something with clean air on site and other regency patronizing. Fortunately, there is now extra space left for online casino commercials that completely destroy the necessary families bit by bit. Or cool clothing brands that import cotton from semi-slave states for next to nothing. By plane? By cargo ship? Well, not by electric bike. You get the idea. But what exactly is the reason for this woke decision in the city of the headquarters of Shell Netherlands Now you are lucky, I still visit The Hague every now and then. In fact, I was born in Scheveningen, a stone&#8217;s throw from the sea. So to come to a conclusive answer about what&#8217;s really going on in the Hofstad, I like to eat a ball of minced meat at Dungelmann, where they are tastier than anywhere else in the world. So I met up with my old buddy Tonnie &#8216;t Shaggie and asked him what&#8217;s going around in The Hague about this strange decision.         
  &#8216;Kèk, ut zal heil De Haah wogst be wie d&#8217;er shows his posters bè de trem. We&#8217;re going on a chance anyway. Kèk, we have Scheiveninge so we don&#8217;t have to do anything, but with this pleuâhrisweâh we still like to go to the countryside to eat erreges andâhs un krauketsje. For Ado we don&#8217;t want to be able to do so. And we worked there for it. Nâh yes, the hageneze then, nie de hagenaahs. And daah leg ut praubleim. Those idiots don&#8217;t want to see any advertisements for ordinary people from their expensive houses, villas and embassies. Imagine, then the service will soon be stuck in traffic jams at Schiphol. That sweet little thing unruffled in the meadow kamâh she flies very drowsy very much, although she often says no. To appease their antlers, they offered us the last offer. They compensated for their very fleeing doâh measure to not let others go. The New Left thinks so. Let them then auk maah the namen The Hague of Rottâhdam Èâhpogt afhale, slaan anyway nerreges op. Let them get nervous with their sticky plahs. Maah I mot gan. There comes a fax from Darremstad.         
Clear story of a real Hagenees. High on the legs, thin in the feathers and a large mouth. World guy.  
The post Column: Hahgse wèsheide appeared first on TravMagazine.
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                        <title>Would you like to join us on a study trip to Ras Al Khaimah?</title>

            <link>https://www.travmagazine.nl/en/would-you-like-to-join-us-on-a-study-trip-to-ras-al-khaimah/</link>
            <comments>https://www.travmagazine.nl/en/would-you-like-to-join-us-on-a-study-trip-to-ras-al-khaimah/#respond</comments>

            <pubDate>Mon, 30 Sep 2024 08:20:05 +0000</pubDate>

            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Sharon Evers]]></dc:creator>

            		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

            <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.travmagazine.nl/?p=117252</guid>

            
            <description><![CDATA[
Would you like to join us on a study trip to Ras Al Khaimah? Then follow the free Online Travel Training! In this training you will discover how versatile the natural emirate is. You will discover the highest mountains of the United Arab Emirates, the terracotta-colored desert, 64 kilometers of mesmerizing white sand beaches, the &hellip; Lees verder            ]]></description>

            
            <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Would you like to join us on a study trip to Ras Al Khaimah? Then follow the free Online Travel Training!
In this training you will discover how versatile the natural emirate is.
You will discover the highest mountains of the United Arab Emirates, the terracotta-colored desert, 64 kilometers of mesmerizing white sand beaches, the ancient history, beautiful resorts, and everything else that Ras Al Khaimah has to offer.  
Click here to start the training.  The training consists of 6 lessons with valuable information, videos about the destination and useful tips that you can use later when selling trips to Ras Al Khaimah.
Each lesson is followed by a multiple-choice question.
If you have followed all the lessons and answered the questions correctly, you will receive a certificate by e-mail. Study trip Would you like to get to know Ras Al Khaimah in person?
Then complete the Online Travel Training before October 21 to qualify for the exclusive study trip that will take place from November 21 to 25, 2024.
Ten travel agents will experience all facets of Ras Al Khaimah.
Think of the longest zipline in the world, an unforgettable desert experience, the beautiful coastline and of course you will visit various world-class resorts so that you can advise your customers optimally after this trip.
There is a personal contribution of €350 per person for this trip.
If you are selected for this study trip, you will automatically receive a message in the week of 21 October. Ras Al Khaimah With over 7,000 years of fascinating history, traditions, and culture, Ras Al Khaimah promises an authentic and easily accessible Arabian experience.
The emirate has year-round sunshine and offers pristine beaches, mangrove trees and terracotta dunes, as well as verdant oases and the impressive vistas of the Hajar Mountains, including the UAE&#8217;s highest peak – Jebel Jais.
Ras Al Khaimah is easily accessible!
With Emirates, you can fly several times a day to Dubai International Airport, which is only a 45-minute drive from the nature emirate.
For more information, please contact Danielle Goedkoop via danielle@raktda.com or go to www.visitrasalkhaimah.com           

The post Would you like to join us on a study trip to Ras Al Khaimah? appeared first on TravMagazine.
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                        <title>Faizal Siddiqui visits the travel agent with WavesOnline.com</title>

            <link>https://www.travmagazine.nl/en/faizal-siddiqui-visits-the-travel-agent-with-wavesonline-com/</link>
            <comments>https://www.travmagazine.nl/en/faizal-siddiqui-visits-the-travel-agent-with-wavesonline-com/#respond</comments>

            <pubDate>Fri, 27 Sep 2024 13:59:40 +0000</pubDate>

            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Theo de Reus]]></dc:creator>

            		<category><![CDATA[Cruises]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[RMC]]></category>

            <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.travmagazine.nl/faizal-siddiqui-visits-the-travel-agent-with-wavesonline-com/</guid>

            
            <description><![CDATA[
Under the name WavesOnline.com, Faizal Siddiqui, CEO and founder of CruiseOnline Group, launches the B2B cruise booking platform for the travel agent. His ambition is to be the market leader in direct cruise sales and in the B2B segment in three years&#8217; time. &#8216;We want to be known for our excellent service that is available &hellip; Lees verder            ]]></description>

            
            <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Under the name WavesOnline.com, Faizal Siddiqui, CEO and founder of CruiseOnline Group, launches the B2B cruise booking platform for the travel agent.
His ambition is to be the market leader in direct cruise sales and in the B2B segment in three years&#8217; time.
&#8216;We want to be known for our excellent service that is available 7 days a week and our in-house developed cruise booking platform where the travel agent can turn the knobs themselves.&#8217;  
Your LinkedIn profile shows a great track record, from Vodafone to the founding of CruiseOnline Group.
What do you see as the common thread in your career? 
  Siddiqui: &#8216;The common thread is striving for innovation by making things simple. That&#8217;s really the slogan in our office, even recorded on a tile: &#8216;Innovate by simplicity&#8217;.
It&#8217;s about making complex things simple through technology.
This principle has always guided us, especially in the travel industry, where we make complex processes more accessible to everyone.    
Can you give a concrete example of this premise?
  &#8220;A good example is the iPhone. You used to get a thick manual with your phone, but nowadays you don&#8217;t need it anymore. The iPhone is intuitive. In the same way, we want everyone to be able to book their cruise or trip online, despite the complexity. Our platform, CruiseOnline.com and CruiseReizen.nl, is designed so that even the most complicated trip can be easily booked. With a turnover of more than 30 million euros per year in the Netherlands alone, we can conclude that it works.&#8217;  
You started at the age of eighteen with 100 euros at your parents&#8217; kitchen table.
What exactly did you do at the time? 
  &#8216;When I was eighteen, I took my first steps in the field of business. I was always into e-commerce. One of my first projects was to develop an SMS protocol for radio stations such as Stadsradio Rotterdam. Listeners could send a text message to the DJs, who would then read it out live. I was working with a number of freelancers at the time, because I didn&#8217;t have any staff yet. Slowly, the company started to grow to now 12 companies in 5 countries and 3 different industries.&#8217;  
Do you have a technical background?
  &#8216;No, I tried, but during every study I wondered if things could be done better or differently. I wasn&#8217;t going against the grain for the sake of being contrarian, but I was more like: what&#8217;s the logic of this? That wasn&#8217;t always appreciated. In the end, I found my way by constantly asking myself questions about how things can be done more logically and efficiently.&#8217;  
How did you get into the cruise industry?
  &#8216;It started in 2013 with an invitation from Disney Cruises for a press trip to the Meyer Werft in Germany, where they built the Disney Fantasy. Because I used to work at Disney and am also the owner of the Wellness Magazine, I was asked to join. My first thought was that cruises were only for old people and would be very expensive. But when I saw that ship, I was sold. When I wanted to book a cruise with my partner after returning home, I ran into all kinds of obstacles. The cruises were not bookable online and when I called the first provider, he was always on the call. The second party, which did answer, only said: we don&#8217;t book a Disney Cruise Line and hung up. I then called a friend in America if he wanted to book a cruise for me, because I couldn&#8217;t do it in the Netherlands. That got me thinking and that&#8217;s how the idea for CruiseReizen.nl was born, the first brand of what is now the CruiseOnline Group.&#8217;  
And that was the beginning of your cruise addiction?
  &#8220;Three months later, I was on the Disney Fantasy in the Caribbean. I called my best friend, Sebastiaan Schild (also COO and co-owner of CruiseOnline.com Group BV, ed.), and I said to him: &#8220;You have to experience this. That cruising is so much fun. I&#8217;ve just come from a beach, in the Caribbean. I&#8217;m in my cabin now, tonight I&#8217;m going to a fantastic musical, then I&#8217;m going out for dinner and then I&#8217;m going to have a drink in the bar. And tomorrow I&#8217;ll be at a new location, I&#8217;ll open my curtains again and look out over another fantastic island.&#8221;
That evening we had a short brainstorming session, it was a very expensive phone call, why you couldn&#8217;t book something like this in the Netherlands and why it didn&#8217;t work online either. We then took a piece of technology from our other company, SpaOnline, which has now been completely rebuilt. I then started talking to shipping companies. We got one contract after another. We hired one colleague and from that moment on it took off.&#8217;   
And that was your first foray into the cruise business?
  &#8216;We started CruiseReizen.nl ten years ago, where we only offered sea cruises. The idea was that customers could easily book their cruise online, but also request a quote. During corona, in 2022, we launched CruiseOnline.com, a dynamic packaging platform where customers can book their own flight, hotel and cruise. The difference between CruiseReizen.nl and CruiseOnline.com is that the former is more customized, while the latter is entirely online and more international, with offices in Belgium, Germany, England, and the United States. We now employ more than 60 colleagues in the Netherlands alone and the expectation is that we will exceed 100 colleagues this year.&#8217;  
You have now launched WavesOnline.com, with which you have made the step to B2B.
What is the reason that you are now also going to sell through retail? 
  &#8220;We received a lot of questions from travel agents if they could book with us because of our excellent customer service and user-friendly website. Although this was not our core business, we saw demand grow and decided three years ago to develop WavesOnline.com, a B2B platform that allows travel agents to book cruises themselves without administration fees or reservation fees.  
What distinguishes WavesOnline.com from the existing providers?
  &#8216;First of all, I would like to compliment the existing parties for what they have achieved, but I think we can do things differently and better. Otherwise, we wouldn&#8217;t be entering the B2B market. What makes us unique is that we have our own technology. Everything we do, we do ourselves, from product development to customer service and programming. WavesOnline.com is an easy-to-use platform where travel agents can make and manage bookings themselves, without having to rely on us. The platform also offers options for dynamic packaging and integration with existing systems from travel agencies such as BAS by Fadiro. You don&#8217;t have to email us, you don&#8217;t have to call us and you can even make a booking online for your client at two o&#8217;clock in the morning, if you would like to. But, if you have any questions and want to speak to someone, that is of course possible. We are open 7 days a week (Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 21:00 and Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 to 18:00). We are a tour operator and therefore take full responsibility for package holidays. Of course, we are also affiliated with ANVR, SGR and SGRZ, we are affiliated with the VVR in Belgium and with the ABTA in England.&#8217;  
What does the WavesOnline.com team look like?
  &#8216;All colleagues of the CruiseOnline Group BV work on WavesOnline.com, including IT, product, marketing and customer care. In addition, we have Business Development Managers who will maintain contact with the travel agent. We will soon introduce these colleagues (who are now being onboarded) to the B2B market.&#8217;  
What were the biggest challenges when you started selling cruises ten years ago?
  &#8216;The biggest challenge was to make cruises accessible to a wide audience. Cruises were often seen as expensive and exclusive, and the booking processes were complicated and time-consuming. Not only did we have to change the perception of cruises, but we also had to develop an easy-to-use technology that streamlines the entire booking process. This required intensive cooperation with shipping companies.&#8217;  
How did you overcome those challenges and what are the challenges of WavesOnline now?
  &#8216;Through a combination of technology and customer-oriented thinking.
We&#8217;ve invested a lot in developing a platform that&#8217;s intuitive and easy to use.
The challenge now is to show what we have made.    

&#8216;We actively listen to feedback from customers and partners&#8217;

  I recently spoke to a board member of a large travel agency chain in the Netherlands and he indicated that he could not believe that we have all the links (including APIs). It&#8217;s great to see the reactions when they log in for the first time and a new world opens up for them.&#8221;  
What technological innovations have you implemented?
  &#8220;One of the most important innovations is our own dynamic packaging system. It allows travel agents to book their flights, transfers, hotel, and cruise completely online and in real-time. The system automatically searches for the best options and takes into account all the necessary details, such as connecting flights and transfer times. This not only makes the booking process easier, but also more efficient.&#8221;  
How do you ensure that your technology remains up-to-date and meets the demands of the market?
  &#8220;We have a dedicated team of product specialists and IT specialists who are continuously working on improving and updating our platform. In addition, we actively listen to feedback from customers and partners. This helps us to respond quickly to changes and new trends in the market. Innovation is an ongoing process and we strive to always stay one step ahead of others.&#8221;  
You also have international ambitions.
What are the biggest challenges of expanding your business internationally? 
  &#8216;The biggest challenge is the complexity of different markets and regulations. Each country has its own rules and requirements, especially in the areas of tourism and consumer protection. In addition, we need to build local trust and understand the market well. This requires time and resources, but it&#8217;s essential for a successful expansion. We therefore work closely with local experts and legal teams to ensure that we meet all requirements.&#8221;  
What is your strategy for overcoming those challenges?
  &#8220;Our strategy is to expand step by step and make sure we build a strong foundation in each new country. We start with market research to understand local needs and preferences. We then adapt our platform and services to that specific market. Building local teams and partnerships is also crucial. This allows us to respond better to local dynamics and respond quickly to changes.&#8217;  
Which international markets do you see as the most promising for the future?
  &#8216;The biggest opportunities lie in markets such as England, Germany and the United States. These markets already have a strong cruise culture and a large potential customer base. But emerging markets such as Asia also offer many opportunities. Here we see a growing middle class with increasing interest in travel and cruises. We are currently in the process of expanding our presence in these markets and adapting our strategies to meet local needs.&#8221;  
How do you see the future of the cruise industry in general?
  &#8216;I see a future in which cruises become more accessible and sustainable. The industry is already making great strides towards environmentally friendly ships and operations. In addition, I expect technology to play an even bigger role, both in the booking process and on board the ships. Personalized experiences and customization will become the norm, and companies that can respond quickly and flexibly to the changing needs of consumers will be the most successful.&#8221;  
What are your biggest successes so far with CruiseOnline Group?
  &#8216;We have won many awards over the past 10 years, this year being named 1 of the top 3 best workplaces The Netherlands 2024. But apart from awards, I&#8217;m most proud of our team. More than 60 colleagues who take our company a step further every day. I couldn&#8217;t do it without them.&#8221;  
How do you maintain a good work-life balance yourself, especially given the rapid growth of your business?
  &#8216;That&#8217;s always a challenge, especially in a fast-growing company. I consciously try to make time for my family and hobbies, such as flying (I fly small planes like the DR400 myself) and sports. It also helps that I have a great team that takes on a lot of responsibilities. Placing responsibilities deeper in the organization is crucial to maintain a good balance. In addition, I strongly believe in the importance of self-care and mental health, so I make sure to take regular time to relax and recharge.&#8217;  
Where do you see CruiseOnline Group in three years?
  &#8216;In three years&#8217; time, we want to be the market leader in both the consumer and B2B markets in the Netherlands and Belgium. But more importantly, we want to be known as a reliable and pleasant partner in the travel industry. We combine the latest technology with a personal way of working. In our cooperation with the agent, the good relationship is paramount to us.&#8217;  &nbsp;
&nbsp;
The post Faizal Siddiqui visits the travel agent with WavesOnline.com appeared first on TravMagazine.
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                        <title>Column Yours: 40 years of human work, AI AI AI!</title>

            <link>https://www.travmagazine.nl/en/column-yours-40-years-of-human-work-ai-ai-ai/</link>
            <comments>https://www.travmagazine.nl/en/column-yours-40-years-of-human-work-ai-ai-ai/#respond</comments>

            <pubDate>Fri, 27 Sep 2024 10:00:26 +0000</pubDate>

            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Theo de Reus]]></dc:creator>

            		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

            <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.travmagazine.nl/?p=117220</guid>

            
            <description><![CDATA[
It comes from the time when you were busy cleaning up paper archives all summer and when the mobile phone weighed a few kilos. He can also tell a hilarious story about a training course &#8216;How to use a computer mouse?&#8217; Wild hairs My esteemed colleague Wilco has been in the business for 40 years &hellip; Lees verder            ]]></description>

            
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It comes from the time when you were busy cleaning up paper archives all summer and when the mobile phone weighed a few kilos. He can also tell a hilarious story about a training course &#8216;How to use a computer mouse?&#8217; Wild hairs My esteemed colleague Wilco has been in the business for 40 years this month.
His wild hair has disappeared (for years), but he still works with the enthusiasm of a young dog. Staff shortage Over the past year, for example, Wilco has been investigating the extent to which ChatGPT and other AI tools can help Uwreisaccountant and the travel industry.
His main findings: AI is a useful tool, but not yet a solution to the staff shortage.
And be careful with confidential information.
&#8216;ChatGPT is a great basis for a nice text, effortlessly removes the errors from your emails and offers inspiration for a nice message on social media. But as a travel specialist, it&#8217;s up to you to put together the best trips for your customers.&#8217;
Lindsey van Ginkel (AA RB) YOURS/Uwreisaccountant       (This text is also the work of man)
Photo: Wilco Bouwman and Lindsey van Ginkel (Photo Yours).   
The post Column Yours: 40 years of human work, AI AI AI! appeared first on TravMagazine.
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                        <title>On an adventure around Saba</title>

            <link>https://www.travmagazine.nl/en/on-an-adventure-around-saba/</link>
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            <pubDate>Thu, 26 Sep 2024 15:00:10 +0000</pubDate>

            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Advertorial]]></dc:creator>

            		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

            <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.travmagazine.nl/?p=117250</guid>

            
            <description><![CDATA[
Have you ever thought about Saba as a travel destination? Be surprised by this special island and explore the beautiful landscapes and other parts of the Caribbean. The trip to Saba is an adventure in itself. You can see the island from St. To reach Maarten by air, Winair offering day trips starting at just &hellip; Lees verder            ]]></description>

            
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Have you ever thought about Saba as a travel destination?
Be surprised by this special island and explore the beautiful landscapes and other parts of the Caribbean.   The trip to Saba is an adventure in itself.
You can see the island from St.
To reach Maarten by air, Winair offering day trips starting at just $79 per person.
For a scenic experience, The Edge by Aquamania Adventures offers a ferry service every Tuesday and Friday, including day trip packages.
If you&#8217;re planning to visit neighboring islands as well, the Makana Ferry is a great option for island hopping, making it easy to explore more of the Caribbean.
With its stunning landscapes, vibrant culture, and unparalleled hospitality, Saba is the perfect destination for travelers looking to experience the Caribbean in its purest form.
Whether you come for a day or more, every moment on this pristine island will be filled with wonder and relaxation. More info  For more information, please contact the Saba Tourist Bureau at tourism@sabagov.nl.
Also visit sabatourism.com. Diamond Rock near Wells Bay, Saba, Dutch Caribbean       
The post On an adventure around Saba appeared first on TravMagazine.
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                        <title>TUI Group accelerates growth plans with next step in transformation</title>

            <link>https://www.travmagazine.nl/en/tui-group-accelerates-growth-plans-with-next-step-in-transformation/</link>
            <comments>https://www.travmagazine.nl/en/tui-group-accelerates-growth-plans-with-next-step-in-transformation/#respond</comments>

            <pubDate>Thu, 26 Sep 2024 11:06:08 +0000</pubDate>

            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Theo de Reus]]></dc:creator>

            		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[RMC]]></category>

            <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.travmagazine.nl/tui-group-accelerates-growth-plans-with-next-step-in-transformation/</guid>

            
            <description><![CDATA[
After two years of strong growth, TUI Group is launching a new structure to further accelerate its growth plans. The tourism group wants to expand its successful product offering and offer more third-party products. Classic package holidays are complemented by dynamic packages and individual components. TUI is also focusing on personalised offers and more extra &hellip; Lees verder            ]]></description>

            
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After two years of strong growth, TUI Group is launching a new structure to further accelerate its growth plans.
The tourism group wants to expand its successful product offering and offer more third-party products.
Classic package holidays are complemented by dynamic packages and individual components.
TUI is also focusing on personalised offers and more extra services, while maintaining the high level of service that customers are used to.
Retail and online channels remain a key focus in the growth strategy.
TUI Group wants to develop its Markets + Airline branch into a Global Curated Leisure Marketplace, the company said in a press release.
To capitalise on the growth potential, TUI is adapting the structure of Markets + Airline to its strategic priorities.
In the new structure, the functions of commerce and marketing will be integrated at regional level.
The commercial management will be in the hands of Stefan Baumert (CCO).
For each region, the focus is on local customer needs, with a particular focus on flight capacity, trade, distribution and local marketing.
Within the Board Markets + Airlines department, a new Managing Director has been appointed for each region.
From his position as Managing Director for Belgium and the Netherlands, Arjan Kers has been appointed to this Board Markets + Airline for the BeNe region (Belgium and the Netherlands).
Benjamin Jacobi sits on behalf of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Jessica Enbacka for the Nordics and Neil Swanson for the UK and Ireland.
These regions will retain their own P&amp;L statements and report directly to David Schelp, CEO of Markets + Airline.
&#8220;With eight consecutive quarters of double-digit growth in our profitability (EBIT, ed.), we are showing the strength of our strategy. We are accelerating our growth plans and are now taking the next step in our transformation. In addition to being a successful tour operator, we want to offer a broader portfolio of products, services and destinations. The goal is to sell more products to more customers worldwide, all year round. This transformation will help us to further expand our TUI smile worldwide.&#8221; Photo: Arjan Kers (archive photo TravMagazine).              
The post TUI Group accelerates growth plans with next step in transformation appeared first on TravMagazine.
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                        <title>Silverjet launches new destinations during busy sales run</title>

            <link>https://www.travmagazine.nl/en/silverjet-launches-new-destinations-during-busy-sales-run/</link>
            <comments>https://www.travmagazine.nl/en/silverjet-launches-new-destinations-during-busy-sales-run/#respond</comments>

            <pubDate>Wed, 25 Sep 2024 23:40:00 +0000</pubDate>

            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Theo de Reus]]></dc:creator>

            		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[RMC]]></category>

            <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.travmagazine.nl/silverjet-launches-new-destinations-during-busy-sales-run/</guid>

            
            <description><![CDATA[
Silverjet has added new destinations to its offer for next winter. These are Sri Lanka, St. Barth, Anguilla and St. Eustatius. The destinations were announced on Wednesday evening during the well-attended third evening of the now traditional sales run of the ultra-luxury holiday provider. The presentation took place in restaurant Quarte Bras in Best, where &hellip; Lees verder            ]]></description>

            
            <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Silverjet has added new destinations to its offer for next winter.
These are Sri Lanka, St.
Barth, Anguilla and St.
Eustatius.
The destinations were announced on Wednesday evening during the well-attended third evening of the now traditional sales run of the ultra-luxury holiday provider.
The presentation took place in restaurant Quarte Bras in Best, where a high-level dinner was served.
With about 50 travel sellers at the table, the evening was completely sold out.
This was already the case earlier this week during dinner meetings in Apeldoorn and Zoetermeer.
On Thursday evening there will be a presentation in Belgium, after which the week will end with a lunch presentation in Amsterdam.
Silverjet has more than 10,000 high-end passengers per year in the Netherlands and Belgium.
The average travel sum has risen sharply to 4,230 euros per person.
The Silverjet team has 30 employees in the Netherlands and 11 in Belgium.
The luxury travel provider works with more than 800 travel agencies and ZRAs, who receive an increasing commission scale of 11 to 13 percent (already on the third booking).
A commission of 10 percent applies to acco-only.
As always, Silverjet has joined forces with a number of five-star partners for this year&#8217;s sales run.
They are Rosselli AX Privilege (Malta), Hotel Baobab Suites (Tenerife), Hotel Cap.                St. George (Cyprus), Hotel LUX Belle Mare (Mauritius), Hotel Madinat Jumeirah (Dubai), Hotel Vila Vita Parc (Portugal) and the Barbados Tourist Board, which was represented by Kim Baljet of Check-in PR.
Suzanne Kochen, responsible for sales in Northern Europe at Explora Journeys, gave a clear presentation about this new luxury cruise line, which she described as a &#8216;luxury boutique hotel at sea&#8217;.  More in TravMagazine coming soon.  Photo: Silverjet employees and representatives of the participating partners.
&nbsp;
The post Silverjet launches new destinations during busy sales run appeared first on TravMagazine.
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