United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Agents warned: Don’t fall asleep at the wheel
Robert Bailey, president and CEO of Abacus International, has told travel agents that there has never been a better time to get closer to customers and reinforce their loyalty.
But the challenge for agents, he said, was to leverage new technologies and not get caught between old and new business models – those reliant on commissions – and those gaining traction online with low cost operations.
"How do you step up your game to meet the changing needs of your customers," he asked travel agents attending the Abacus International Conference in Seoul.
The incentives to use new technology and solutions to transform the way agents do business were only too evident, Bailey said.
The Asia Pacific region has the largest mobile subscriber base in the world and smartphone adoption is soaring, according to a Phocuswright survey.
South East Asia sold USD2.4 billion worth of smartphones in the first three months of 2012, while in China more than half of smartphone owners said they would rather give up their televisions than their smartphones.
In Indonesia, the number of Internet users will reach 76 million by 2015 – and 61% of those users will connect from mobile devices.
In the mobile space, there was an opportunity for travel companies to use modern technology to build relationships, increase engagement and drive revenue before, during and after any customer booking, Bailey said.
"Mobile technology is a massive opportunity but it’s also a threat," Bailey added. "We can’t be asleep at the wheel. We must be up to speed with our customers’ use of technology…and co-create the travel experience with them."
by Ian Jarrett
Ian Jarrett
Tony from Gatto’s Pizza on Columbus’s Unique Pizza Trail
Sophia Hyder Hock on Global Social Inclusion in Tourism
Sustainable Tourism: Don Welsh on Community Values and Global Collaboration
Jane Cunningham: Enhancing European Engagement in Tourism
Kristin Dunne: Navigating Destination Strategy
Revolutionizing Mobile Connectivity: Boris Bijlstra on HUBBY eSIM
Capturing Glasgow’s Vibrancy: An Interview with Susan Deighan, Chief Executive of Glasgow Life
Lebua Hotel & Resorts: Rajan Khurana on Hospitality and Bangkok’s Charms
Sustainable Tourism and Growth: Insights from Chiravadee Khunsub from Tourism Authority of Thailand
Revolutionizing Travel: SmartSIM USA’s Dale Takio Unveils the Power of E Sims
TravelMole Interview with Hishan Singhawansa, Deputy CEO of Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, Sri Lanka
Unveiling the Essence of Magari Tours: A Dive into Authentic Italian Experiences
EU airports bring back 100ml liquid rule
CLIA: Anti-cruise demos could cause itinerary changes in Europe
Co-pilot faints, easyJet flight issues ‘red alert’
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Woman dies after getting ‘entangled’ in baggage carousel