TravelMole Fast Conference: UK "backward in going forward"

THE UK is among the most backward in the world when it comes to new technology with a legacy of outdated, cumbersome systems, a Travelmole Fast conference heard. Australian Warren Kinny, managing director of technology supplier Exodus Systems, described some tour operator systems as a “ball and chain” around their legs. Referring to systems designed years ago for the package holiday market, Kinny said: “The UK has been rather slow in moving forward compared to the rest of the world. It is a very conservative market.” He said the package holiday systems are inflexible and “from a technological viewpoint have limited the process of moving forward.” “It is like a ball and chain around their legs,” continued Kinny, who revealed only 20% of tour operator websites are bookable enabled. Whatever the system, Cheapflights director of business development Liz Faherty said booking packages online “was not here yet.” “Customers are unwilling to book online but they are searching online,” she said. It’s a very different story with hotels, according to Great Hotels Organisation chief executive Peter Gould. “By 2010, half of all rooms will be booked through the web and 90% will be at least touched by the Internet,” he said.