I SPECIAL FEATURE I
I SPECIAL FEATURE I TRANSPORT I Deutsche Bahn offers more train connections in 2023 Deutsche Bahn is not only presenting its new 2023 plans at this year's show, but also taking part in two conferences at ITB Convention. Deutsche Bahn (DB - German rail) is presenting its latest innovations at ITB Berlin, including the integration of new ICE high speed trains (3 per month) as well as higher frequencies. All across the network, travellers will benefit from improvements between Stuttgart and Munich, with travel time being reduced by around 15 minutes while daily services between the two metropolises increase from around 70 to 90 rides. The DB is also launching its “Deutschlandtakt” between North Rhine-Westphalia and Bavaria. It translates into direct services between Cologne and Munich twice an hour - and up to 15 minutes faster than before. The rail company also operates its brand new ICE 3neo between Dortmund, Cologne and Frankfurt. DB will further expand services with more train deliveries. Frankfurt airport is also getting faster and more frequent rail connections as an alternative to short-haul flights. More cities have been connected to the airport with DB offering 60% more seats. Additional night trains are also seeing the light of day. Zurich is now connected to Berlin and Prague via Erfurt, Halle, Leipzig and Dresden. From Stuttgart, a direct overnight service goes to Venice with some coaches going further to Budapest, Vienna, Ljubljana, Zagreb and Rijeka. In total, 41 German cities are now connected to the European night train network. At ITB Berlin Convention, Nils Hartgen, CEO at Deutsche Bahn Vertrieb (Distribution) is taking part in a panel discussion this Tuesday on sustainable mobility (1.30pm Hall 6.1 eTravel Stage). On Wednesday 8, DB Chief Marketing Officer Stefanie Berk talks about DB solutions on the issue of skills shortage (4.00pm- Hall 7.1b Blue Stage - Presentation in German) hub27 / Stand 302 PANEL: SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES AND THE IMPORTANCE OF COLLABORATION Tuesday, 7 March 2023 > 1.30 - 2.00 pm Location: Hall 6.1 eTravel Stage New ICE trains at Frankfurt main rail station Lufthansa presents new "First Class Suite Plus" – private room above the clouds As part of Lufthansa’s promise to offer premium quality to its passengers, the airline has rolled out its new "Allegris" product on long-haul routes. Passengers in the new Allegris generation Business Class have six more seating options with high levels of comfort, providing direct © Lufthansa Group access to the aisle, seat walls for greater privacy, a 17-inch screen while seats can be converted into a two-meter-long bed. Allegris also provides Lufthansa passengers with significantly more choice in Economy Class including booking a vacant neighbour seat in the future. Lufthansa First Class provides spacious suites that offer nearly LUFTHANSA ALLEGRIS FIRST CLASS SUITE ceiling-high walls that can be closed for privacy with a seat that can be converted into a large, comfortable bed. Storage option includes a large, personal wardrobe. Dining will also be exceptional providing the possibility for the passenger to enjoy gourmet menus with a fellow traveller at a large dining table. Entertainment is provided by screens that extend across the full width of the suite, with Bluetooth connectivity for wireless headphones. Guests in Lufthansa Business Class can also enjoy their own suite in the front row with extra comfort and privacy due to higher walls and sliding doors. The enhanced personal space includes a 27 inches monitor and a personal wardrobe. 15.6-inch monitor with high-quality, noise-canceling headphones. More than 100 new Lufthansa Group aircraft will fly with the “Allegris” service while aircraft already in service will be converted. By 2025, the Lufthansa Group will invest a total of €2.5 billion in product and service alone. To learn more, join Lufthansa at the stand for its LIVE! Talk sessions - daily from 11:00! Hall 25 / Stand 119 The new Premium Economy Class has a comfortable seat integrated into a hard shell offering generous space, a fold-out leg rest and a Scan & Read the full version 48 ITB BERLIN NEWS • TUESDAY 7 TH MARCH 2023 www.itb-berlin-news.com
I SPECIAL FEATURE I TRANSPORT I Discover AirportTransfer.com's new online marketplace shaking up the world of holiday taxis Innovative company AirportTransfer.com is aiming to ease the lives of travellers who are flying all over the world at ITB Berlin 2023. The global online marketplace offers alternate solutions to accommodate each traveller's preference by bringing local ground transportation companies and passengers together in a more efficient and personal way. Customers can search, compare, and book door-todoor transfers hassle-free thanks to the website's userfriendly design. The company operates worldwide, with major coverage throughout Canada, France, Greece, Japan and China to name a few examples. "No matter where you go, you can trust the contracted drivers of AirportTransfer. com and reach your destination quickly," the company states. "Our vision – flawless, timely, convenient, and friendly airport transfers that ease the latter part of your journey every time, all the time, and anywhere.” Passengers can request additional services such as a booster or car seat, bicycle rack, elderly assistance, and even a red carpet. The company is pet friendly meaning customers can © Viktor Bystrov - unsplash travel safely and comfortably with their beloved animals. What's more, Airport Transfer offers useful and friendly tips in relation to public transport in a customer's destination of choice. There are also useful travel guides and lists recommending popular destinations close to the customer's chosen arrival airport Hall 6.1 / Stand 140 AIRPORTTRANSFER.COM CLAIMS THE FOLLOWING USPS: • Local English-speaking drivers • A warm welcome • Secure online payments • Door-to-door airport transfer • Affordable prices • Free cancellation up to 48 hours before booking • 100% refund guarantee Relocation to Wales becomes major growth catalyst for online car rental platform Finalrentals Online car rental business Finalrentals, the brainchild of Pakistan-born Ammar Akhtar, is used by local car rental businesses throughout the world, including Canada, the United States of America and United Arab Emirates. Established in Dubai in 2019, Finalrentals moved to Wales and benefited from the FinTech Wales’ Foundry – a no equity accelerator programme providing support to start-ups. "We have worked tirelessly to build the software and get our product known in the market but taking part in the programme was the catalyst for our growth. It gave us a great opportunity to network with the investor community in Wales and benefit from mentorship which has ultimately let us secure this major investment that will enable to now scale the business. There is certainly a culture of innovation and growth in Wales and I am now proud to call Cardiff my home," explains Mr Akhtar. Finalrentals received the backing of a syndicate of four business "angels" led by investor Eamon Tuhami and venture capital company Fuel Ventures translating into a six-figure investment, matched by the Development Bank of Wales Hall 9 / Stand 120a ITB BERLIN NEWS • TUESDAY 7 TH MARCH 2023 49
