Galileo: ‘We’re here to stay’
Galileo UK and Ireland managing director Jason Clarke launched a vigorous defence of GDS’s after questions were again raised over their future.
He told delegates at the Advantage business travel conference in Munich that they will survive and prosper for years to come despite threats from new entrants and the Internet.
“We offer genuine global reach and operate in 115 countries,” said Clarke. “We work with 450 airline and 60,000 hotels. The scope of content is huge and we have proven technology that works.”
Clarke, responding to suggestions they will be obsolete in four year’s time, said new entrants in the market should be known as limited travel systems.
“Their content and functionality is limited,” he said. “They don’t have the global reach and they don’t have the tools for the agencies.
“Will we be here in four years time? Absolutely.”
Earlier, Traveltec managing director Kenny Picken said the rise of the Internet could spell the end for traditional GDS systems.
“The future is search engines,” he said. “It’s naïve if we think it is going to happen.
Yahoo already has Farechase which is fast, efficient and affordable.”
He added GDS’s are aware of the threat as they are embarking on acquisition strategies.
“They are buying content and distribution,” he said.
Report by Steve Jones
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