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Travel factories for a mobile world

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Tour operator IT systems need to become faster, more flexible and better able to display different products, leading experts said at the fvw Travel Technology Day in Cologne yesterday.

TUI Travel IT chief Mittu Sridhara gave the keynote speech at the fvw Travel Technology Day in Cologne. Foto: http://www.TobiasVollmer.de

International tourism groups are extremely complex organisations in technology terms as they have to integrate airlines, hotels, tour operators and sales channels, TUI Travels Chief Information Officer, Mittu Sridhara, told delegates. This meant that systems had to be coordinated so that the entire travel cycle can be presented to customers on websites or mobile apps.

TUI Travel has already developed solutions such as the My TUI app for all European markets while the @comRes reservations system used in Germany is now being introduced in the UK as well. But this is just a start. We have to display what differentiates our products and become much faster, Sridhara said. Instead of large IT projects, many small modules that can be quickly developed and tested are needed today. Customers tell us today whether a system works well or not, he commented.

DER Touristik Frankfurt, which offers a large number of travel products and services that can be booked individually or as combinations, is about to update its 16-year-old Phoenix system with the new Phoenix Unlimited system. The objective, according to IT director Gudrun Schn, is to bring products to market faster and improve how the broad product range is displayed in order to get away from the focus on price comparisons and also to produce more cheaply and flexibly.

Phoenix Unlimited is not only a new system but a travel factory that can combine every single content form, such as hotels, flights, hire cars or cruises, and deliver them to travel agents together with plenty of information. Travel agents must know more than customers who have researched online about a product, she explained. Automatic rules would define whether, for example, hotels could be booked individually or only as part of a package holiday. This would automate production more strongly and enable more flexible production for all sales channels, she pointed out.

The tourism industry must respond faster to the rise of mobile technology, urged Stefan Spiegel, head of travel and tourism for internet agency Ray Sono. Smartphones will become the central device for digital communications in future, he predicted. As a result, tourism products must be modernised so that consumers can first obtain travel information on a smartphone and then continue the booking process later on a tablet or PC without having to re-enter all the data, he said.

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Travel factories for a mobile world

Travel Channel Greenlights Ten New Series, One Special, One Series In Development

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Travel Channel president Shannon ONeill today unveiled ten new series, one new special and a series in development. New seriesBig Crazy Family Adventure (wt), Hotel Amazon (wt), World Access (wt) and the special, One Day On Earth (wt), highlight the cultures, landscapes and people that make travel so transformative. Other series, including Big Time RV (wt), Booze Traveler (wt), Expedition Unknown, (wt), Resort Rescue and Tours By Unger (wt), will introduce new talent who share their knowledge on specific topics and places. And for traveling foodies, Travel Channel crisscrosses the country to discover Americas best grillers and BBQers in American Grilled and Underground BBQ Challenge. In addition, the network has greenlit two half-hour episodes for a new series in development called 1 Way Ticket (wt). Here is a description of the greenlit productions:

Series:

American Grilled pits grill masters from various backgrounds against one another in the ultimate outdoor cooking challenge. Host and renowned chef David Guas is turning up the heat on grillers across America as they compete for a $10,000 cash prize and bragging rights. Four contestants test their epic backyard skills by serving up delicious and original plates that skillfully showcase the grill and embrace the amazing local flavors. American Grilled (wt) is greenlit for 13 one-hour episodes produced by Original Media.

Big Crazy Family Adventure (wt) follows adventurer, writer and photographer Bruce Kirkby as he treks from Vancouver to the Himalayas with his wife and two children. Kirkby, an experienced world traveler, takes his family across undiscovered landscapes, through challenging climates and inside unique communities in an effort to escape the everyday modern world and expose his children to some of lifes simple wonders. Big Crazy Family Adventure (wt) is greenlit for eight one-hour episodes produced by dick clark productions and WD Entertainment.

Big Time RV (wt) gives viewers an all-access pass to Americas largest, and most prestigious, RV dealership located in sunny Florida. The larger-than-life sales force and over-the-top service center work together to satisfy the demands of RV lovers, looking to buy or rent the biggest, most customized RVs in the business. Big Time RV is greenlit for six half-hour episodes produced by Half Yard Productions.

Booze Traveler (wt)features cocktail connoisseur Jack Maxwell as he travels around the world, one drink at a time. Maxwell grew up in South Boston, where bars served as the neighborhood living rooms hosting family dinners, birthdays and weddings. In this new series, he will take his respect and appreciation for specialty cocktails to explore new locales, seeking out the people, places, customs and cultures behind drinks across the globe. Booze Traveler (wt) is greenlit for eight one-hour episodes produced by Karga Seven Pictures in association with White Reindeer Productions.

Expedition Unknown (wt) chronicles the adventures of Josh Gates as he investigates iconic mysteries across the globe. Gates begins by interviewing key eyewitnesses and uncovering recent developments in the story, then springboards into a fully immersive exploration. This authentic, roughshod adventure leads Gates closer to the truth behind these unanswered global enigmas, such as the disappearance of Amelia Earharts plane. Expedition Unknown is greenlit for six one-hour episodes produced by Ping Pong Productions.

Hotel Amazon (wt) chronicles longtime friends Rusty Johnson and Stephan Jablonski as they leave New York to pursue their dream of building a world-class resort in the middle of the Peruvian Amazon. Johnson and Jablonski discover that the Amazon is a fierce terrain, and building a luxury resort on top of it is a grueling endeavor. In order to reach their goals, Johnson and Jablowski need to overcome dire conditions, including harsh jungle weather, dangerous native creatures and a severe lack of essential supplies. Hotel Amazon (wt) is greenlit for six one-hour episodes produced by Crazy Legs Productions.

Resort Rescue follows world-famous hospitality consultant Shane Green as he helps hotel and resort owners figure out whats going wrong inside their establishments. Green watches every move through hidden surveillance footage taken across the premises. Afterwards, Green reveals his findings to the owners and shows them how to fix these lingering issues. Resort Rescue is greenlit for 13 one-hour episodes produced by Relativity TV.

Tours By Unger (wt) goes where ordinary travelers cant, pulling back the curtain on the hidden history all around us. Host Brian Unger is the ultimate tour guide, bringing his irreverent humor and point of view to fascinating places most Americans dont know about. Tours by Unger (wt) is greenlit for six half-hour episodes produced by Half Yard Productions.

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Travel Channel Greenlights Ten New Series, One Special, One Series In Development

Outlook Traveller Awards names winners

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New Delhi, Apr 1 : Parvez Dewan, Secretary, Indian Ministry of Tourism presided over the fourth edition of the Outlook Traveller Awards, which concluded on Monday, announcing winners across 40 categories from the world of the travel and hospitality experiences in India, at Dusit Devarana, here.

The Outlook Traveller Awards are aimed to bring out the best in travel and hospitality industry and give its readers an unbiased forum to choose for the most exotic location while planning their travel.

Every year, for seven years now, Outlook Traveller has been conducting a comprehensive survey of the readers to assess the very best of travel and hospitality experiences in India.

This year, the canvas of the survey was substantially expanded by introducing a whole range of new categories and sub-categories.

The distinguished members of the jury panel selected the nominees from a comprehensive list of options and also made additional insightful suggestions.

As with previous surveys, the survey questionnaire was published in the November and December 2013 issues of Outlook Traveller, besides being offered online at outlooktraveller.com, with a deadline of Dec 31, 2013.

The survey responses were collected, collated and analyzed by market research company, Ipsos.

This year, two Special Jury awards were instituted: one for Outstanding Contribution for Travel, and the other for the Indian Hotel Debut of the Year.

The jury for the awards comprised of historian and hotelier Aman Nath, co-founder and co-chairman of the Neemrana Hotels, who is widely credited with having pioneered the heritage hotels movement in India.

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Outlook Traveller Awards names winners

Need to boost earnings

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Barbados and other countries heavily dependent on tourism for their livelihoods need to do more to increase earnings and jobs from the sector.

That advice has come from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), which pointed out that travel and tourisms contribution to the world economy has grown for the fourth consecutive year and is expected to show even stronger growth in 2014.

The WTTC, which said the information was contained in its 2014 annual economic data report, added that policies need to be implemented to increase tourism receipts and jobs.

David Scowsill, who is president and chief executive officer of the organisation, which called itself the global authority on the social and economic impact of travel and tourism said it has been another really good year for the sector but many governments lack of openness is restraining their countrys travel and tourism potential.

The data underlines travel and tourisms undeniable status as a driver of growth. Some countries have taken huge positive strides with visa facilitation over the past few years. But many countries economic contribution from travel and tourism is still being held back, particularly due to restrictive visa policies, he said.

He pointed to 2012 research from WTTC and the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) that demonstrates that improving visa processes could generate an additional US$206 billion in tourism receipts and create as many as 5.1 million jobs by 2015 in the G20 economies.

Scowsill said there was real momentum in some countries with visa facilitation but there is still a lot to do.

To capitalise on, rather than thwart, travel and tourisms potential to boost visitors, spend and jobs, we would encourage countries to implement progressive approaches to visas, which make it easier for people to travel.

Governments also need to ensure that they have intelligent rather than punitive taxation measures in place. Last but not least, it is also essential that the public and private sectors facilitate growth in a responsible and sustainable way, with people and the planet at the forefront of policies, he noted.

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Need to boost earnings

Luxury Travel Advisors ULTRA Summit 2014 Yields Insights into Affluent Travel

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NEW YORK -- Luxury Travel Advisor's ULTRA Summit 2014, which concluded last week at the Park Hyatt Chicago, brought together the world's most elite travel advisors and suppliers for an exclusive discussion about the latest research and trends in ultra-luxury or "affluent travel."

A hand-selected group of ultra-luxury advisors and suppliers, invited for their expertise as the world's top purveyors of affluent travel, participated in the invitation-only, three-day program, which featured intimate, prescheduled appointments, strategic networking functions and expert presentations about high-net-worth travelers, trends and business opportunities.

Ruthanne Terrero, Questex Hospitality + Travel vice president of content and editorial director, presented the results of an exclusive survey of ultra-travel advisors. A key finding was the fact that personal contact still matters in sales, as evidenced by more than a third of respondents who said they conduct 75 percent of their business by phone and in person.

Clayton Reid, president & chief executive officer of MMGY Global, told the group that traveler intent, a measure of consumer inclination to travel, is "picking up very dramatically," to its highest point since 2004. "Eight in 10 U.S. travelers are suggesting they will take an international trip in the next two years," he said. "That is double what it was 12 years ago."

Kate Lorenz, content strategy director for Leo Burnett Group in Chicago, provided a primer for marketing through social media. Her advice included devoting a half hour to social media in the morning and again at the end of the day. Also, she urged advisors to focus on one or two key channels, notably Facebook and Instagram, before expanding to other channels.

John Wallis, chief marketing officer for Hyatt Hotels Corp., joined Anthony Ingham, vice president of North American brand management for St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, The Luxury Collection, W Hotels Worldwide and Le Meredien, to discuss how their respective companies are redefining the luxury experience.

"Transparency is the new green," Wallis said. "We will spend less money on advertising and more on delivering the experience." By the same token, he predicted hotels will change their traditional hierarchical organization scheme to become less process-oriented and more focused on customer experience.

Ingham said his company's luxury hotels are being redesigned to meet the expectations of a new generation of affluent travelers who prefer a more personal, less formal experience. That effort involves retaining the historical significance of older hotels while adding modern touches including technology, but keeping it hidden so as not to detract from the hotel's authenticity.

Kristian Anderson, senior vice president of sales and general manager, North America, for Silversea Cruises observed that the ultra-affluent "are not easily impressed" and urged suppliers to focus on "small details that are repeated time and time again." Meeting the needs of individual travelers is more important that providing "iPad portals in every room," he said.

Peter Yesawich, vice chairman of MMGY Global, provided assurance to advisors in the audience that affluent travelers value time over money and that, accordingly, 29 percent plan to use advisors to plan their next trips. Their attitude is, "If I'm going to travel, it had better be good," he said.

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Luxury Travel Advisors ULTRA Summit 2014 Yields Insights into Affluent Travel


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