The Viewdata debate rages on

CIMTIG Debate Special: In a recent debate on technology in the travel industry the subject inevitably turned to Viewdata. As reported by TravelMole during the Travel Technology Show, Viewdata is still the agent’s favourite booking tool. Cendant Travel Distribution Services regional director UK and Ireland, Alison Bell, was speaking on the panel. She said: “I can’t see Viewdata disappearing in my lifetime.” Cosmos commercial and product director, Stuart Jackson said: “This debate has been going on for over two decades. In the mid-1980s people were predicting the death of Viewdata and they still are.” Mr Jackson argued that legacy systems were causing problems because they were designed to take orders of bookings and not designed to provide management information. The CIMTIG debate was held in London on Wednesday. The media sponsor of the event was TravelMole, and other speakers were TelMe Farebase managing Peter Muller and Cunard Line senior vice president Europe, Peter Shanks. For more news from the event check TravelMole on Monday. Commenting on the issue during the debate on TravelMole last week, Timothy O’Neil-Dunne, a consultant from T2 Impact Ltd said: “Viewdata distribution is an impediment to consumers. It gets in the way of the consumers’ ability to see, choose and buy. The creaking antiquated, slow and labourious process that Viewdata requires is preventing the industry from becoming more efficient and more consumer friendly. “The hazards of use are too numerous to mention. It is also very costly to maintain. I do hope that no-one is banking on the retention of Viewdata as a way to control distribution. If any agent or supplier to the UK market seriously believes that Viewdata will allow the status quo to remain then they need to get a new life or exit now while they can.” During the same debate, Comtec Europe group director, Daman Singh said he thought history would move on, but that “it must do so in a managed way, incorporating operators and agents, if the whole distribution system is not be wrecked”. He added: “The Big Four, aided by some of us system providers, will get there, and they are undoubtedly talking amongst themselves as to when and how. When they do so, with a sufficient transition period, change will happen.” Report by Ginny McGrath