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Crunch to prompt more IT investment
Sunday, 11 Feb, 2009
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Big players in the travel industry will be spending more money on IT rather than less as the credit crunch bites deeper, according to the sales director of technology provider Blue Sky.
Nick Fowler told Travelmole that he anticipated a 20% year-on-year increase in business for 2009 compared to 2008, adding: “We deal with the Thomas Cooks of this world and we think at that level IT is going to play an even bigger role this year.
"Most of the systems that are out there are very old and can’t meet the changing demands of the market. They are also costly to maintain and you can’t get the people to operate them these days. It’s much more cost effective all round to invest in newer technologies. We have a good pipeline for 2009.”
Blue Sky’s business outlook rocketed in 2006 when it struck gold and inked a deal with Thomas Cook and went on to get MyTravel’s custom into the bargain.
The company has enhanced its reservation system itour in line with Thomas Cook’s requirements and used the Travel Technology Show to launch its souped up product afresh on Tuesday.
Added Fowler: “This product has the flexibility that other res systems lack and that can save operators money.
"I know of one tour operator that is now bundling their pre-bought hotel rooms with low cost flights to save money and our technology allows that – they are sticking to their traditional business model of packaging but adapting it to suit the economic times.”
by Dinah Hatch
Dinah
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