Skift Travel News Blog

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol has launched a new app for Apple Watch users that will provide them access to the latest information about their flight from their wrists.

The app, which is available to download now, will provide Apple Watch wearers real-time information on the status of their flight, along with all of the required information regarding what check-in desk they should visit and their departure gate.

According to a release from the airport, there have been more than 1.6 million downloads of the Schiphol app to iPhone and Android devices this year, and with figures showing that 30% of iPhone users have an Apple Watch as a complimentary paired device, Schiphol has said the development of this app was ‘a logical next step’. 

Tourism Cares, a non-profit dedicated to advancing sustainable tourism has unveiled its new Meaningful Travel Map.

The interactive map, which has been designed to connect travel professionals with ‘sustainable, community-led enterprises, products, services, accommodations and tours that can be added to itineraries,’ has been launched to commemorate the organization’s 20-year anniversary.

You can view the interactive map here, and find out more about the work Tourism Cares does in the video below:

Presently, the Meaningful Travel Map features over 150 verified sustainable experiences in various destinations including the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Colombia and Jordan.

“At Tourism Cares, we consider ourselves a pioneer in the meaningful travel movement – driving the industry to conduct business in a way that directly benefits host communities, protects cultural and environmental assets, and engages guests in a deeper, more responsible way,” said Greg Takehara, CEO, Tourism Cares. 

“Through our innovative programs, such as our Meaningful Travel Summits and the development of our Meaningful Travel Map, we have been able to generate significant impact for local communities and social enterprises around the world. We are excited for this next phase of programming with our expanded map and its ability to diversify the travel supply chain to incorporate more impactful, locally led tourism experiences that will benefit destinations and the people that call those places home.”

At Skift, we are looking to unearth the most creative and forward-thinking innovations in travel through our Skift Ideas Franchise, which includes the Skift IDEA Awards, Skift Editorial Hub and the Skift Ideas Podcast.

You can listen and subscribe to the Skift Ideas Podcast through your favorite podcast app here.

Bournemouth Airport, located in the United Kingdom, has launched a ‘pioneering’ 360-degree video experience aimed at assisting passengers with additional needs when preparing to visit the airport.

According to Regional & City Airports (RCA), the owner of the airport, the use of this technology for accessibility purposes is ‘a first in the aviation industry’.

The initiative is being launched with Cranfield University, as part of a wider strategic partnership aiming to develop the technologies required to create a more progressive future for travel.

Andrew Bell, chief executive of RCA, said, “We recognize that air travel can be daunting for passengers with additional requirements, and are committed to doing everything we can to make air travel more accessible and inclusive for all our passengers.”

“By providing our customers with the opportunity to explore the airport before their visit, we hope to make the experience more enjoyable and less stressful, and will be closely monitoring the results at Bournemouth to see if and how the concept can be developed further,” Bell added.

Passengers can now access the 360-degree video tour of the airport free of charge via the website, with the narrated tour guiding passengers from the point of arrival through to the boarding gate.

You can view the video below:

At the Skift IDEA Awards, we are looking for airport projects that are defining the future of airports and the traveler experience.

If you have an initiative to share, head to the Skift IDEA Awards and start your submission today.