Scenic Group is readying to launch a new cloud-based version of its booking platform, ExpressBook, which will include heightened levels of security.
The move comes as Scenic Group nears a solution to a cyber attack on the IT systems of its brands, including Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Emerald Cruises and Evergreen Tours. In the coming days, travel advisors are expected to be able to access their clients’ bookings again as the company deals with huge demand while its platforms were down.
The websites have been out of action for several weeks “due to issues caused by unauthorised access” of Scenic Groups’ IT platforms, creating difficulties for travel partners, and clients, to get in touch with the companies.
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According to an update yesterday, and based on current testing, “ExpressBook should be available for use by our Travel Advisor partners by Wednesday, March 16 2022,” Scenic Group said.
“Our Reservations Team currently has internal access and has started processing inquiries since the incident occurred.”
Partners will be contacted via email once ExpressBook is operational again for external use, and provided an updated user guide for the platform.
“To help you provide faster responses to your clients, we recommend self-servicing online once available.”
Scenic Group said in order to get on top of the backlog of clients’ travel arrangements, its Reservations Team will work through all queries received by phone and email since the incident occurred, in order of departure date.
The memo to travel partners also suggests there may be delays in the final payments of a client’s booking appearing in ExpressBook.
Delays are also likely to affect the issuance of travel documentation, while ExpressBook’s Trip Personaliser functionality is tipped to be rebooted in the next week.
Scenic Group also notes that at this stage, the cyber attack appears to have not breached any client, partner or personal information. “If this changes, we will inform the impacted directly,” the company said.
