business travel - even at TTW Montreux 2010 in an issue Time flies way too fast. Already is the
TTW Montreux 2010 again History and the daily business takes command. As usual, remains almost no time for a clean and professional post-processing of the event. I will try it anyway
J .
travel brain talking to travel agents and service providers
After his performance at the 5th
Swiss Travel Management Forum on 9 September and to make the task of the social media part with a keynote presentation and a discussion board, I've been asked, as part of the Business Travel Congress at TTW participate in a panel. On the subject of "TMC and SMEs: the same division - unequal opportunities" I was under the direction of beat Eichenberger, editor in chief
travel managers, with
· ; Stefan Haas, Head of Customer SBB
· Lena Knaus , Sales Manager, Air France / KLM / Delta
and
· ; Walter Ruggli , Country Manager, Carlson Wagonlit Switzerland
cross swords.
My
The object was in this round of talks on the role of corporate customers and their needs to the service providers to introduce. Contrary to expectations, was the discussion relaxed and "attacks" against the performers were completely made especially by the SME travel agents. We have then discussed more general information about the current situation, issues and "problems" between industry and service providers. For example, why the SBB
their online business tool does not open for travel agencies or what to expect in the future of the service providers on Direct Link / Direct Access. Where we were able to stage that SMEs and globally operating customers expect from your travel agents and TMCs in the future "Full Content". And thus ensure access to all available airline fares and additional services. Whether this is in the interests of airlines, Lena Knaus was not a clear answer. In the final round would beat Eichenberger participants know about us, where we see the challenges of the next 5 years in the business travel sector. In my view, these are the following:
first Mobile and Social Media
second Smart solutions to the complexity of the "unbundling" to keep under control
third Direct Connect / Direct Access vs. GDS and what we can expect from ONE Amadeus, Sabre and Travelport Red Universal Desktop
4th eliminated holding and / or increasing the quality of advice as simple bookings are
5th Corporate Social Responsibility with Travel Tracking, carbon footprint etc.
The reception afterward
During the subsequent drink I had the opportunity for some very good and informative discussions with representatives of the various TMCs and some service providers. In this case, especially the issues of "Mobile & Social Media" and the "Unbundiling" taken up again and have been controversial. In addition, of course, the legitimate question is whether we should have, despite statements maybe something more exciting by discussing the topic. Is actually - the TMC / SME debate did not come to work properly. Nevertheless, it was fun at the Business Travel Congress to participate actively.
lunch at Kuoni Village
So on to the next item on the program: Lunch at Kuoni Village
Florian Wieser of
coUNDco , friend and fellow at the Travel Management Forum in September in Zurich. He had the audience with his talk show "
Mobile & Social Media Trends for Business Travel " where the road goes. And hey presto further inquiries came from the industry. One of them - a "debate" at TTW about "social media in journalism
. When pasta and Ghackets "shortly discussed the morning's performances, a former staff member welcomes shake (great use in the service for Kuoni), other hand, enjoyed a glass of red wine and already back in the congress hall.
IT Congress to break the GDS business
· the Swiss market with its "still" high margins is a very interesting playground for foreign operators and the limits fall
· ; the new players on the market have incredibly good knowledge of the Internet, Mobile and Google in particular - and this lack of knowledge most local operators (Organizer & Travel agencies)
· and - who is in the next 9 - 12 months creates not to find the connection is, this battle customers can not survive without prejudice
then stood on the stage over under the direction of Chris Probst of Travel Inside the GDS-chief.
Cornel Küng (Amadeus), Anne
Rösener (Sabre) and the newly responsible for Travelport Switzerland
Jürgen Witte discussed the current challenges to the GDSs (including unbundling / Direct Access) and the importance of content. Unfortunately there was no information on the new desktop products, which are rolled out by all providers in parts of the world. Almost as a "savior" and "egg-laying Wollmilchsäue" Amadeus is One, Travelport and Sabre Red Universal Desktop promoted in USA and Australia. More then in a later post.
visit to the exhibition halls
the aperitif after the congress, I had to omit to say a brief to visiting exhibitors in the halls and to take some short pre-arranged appointments. I have noticed is that were already relatively empty after 14:30 the corridors and by and by even items were partially degraded. Nevertheless, there were still all good discussions on the stands of
Travel Job Market ,
Elvia / Mondial ,
Online Travel ,
Travelport and
Amadeus and some brief chat between.
conclusion of my visit at TTW
then at 16:30 h Departure from Montreux back home. And once more the knowledge that one day for me is simply not enough to bring out the maximum from the event. With the new concept that I think the way well done, I spent more time in the conference area and it is missing, of course, for the talks with the exhibitors. This is probably for the majority of other visitors. That is, during the presentations, people are missing in the halls.
I'm curious how they developed the theme TTW Montreux in the coming weeks and months and am looking forward to next year.
Adrian Matt TravelMate brain
