Worldspan: ‘Business Travel Partnerships hold the key’
According to Worldspan chief Graham Nichols, corporate booking tools offer a range of benefits to both travellers and travel agencies – but agencies ignore them at their peril.
Mr Nichols, vice president – Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia, for Worldspan, spoke at Business Travel 2002 in London, where he outlined the benefits and challenges offered by the new generation of booking tools.
He said: “In the US, our corporate booking product is used by travel agencies to add value to their relationships with more than 1,100 corporate customers. It allows them, together, to plan, track and police travel expenditure far more effectively.
“Most importantly, it allows travel agencies to deliver travel – not technology – skills in these relationships. Instead of inputting reservation requests, they are adding real value to the travel management process.
“But many agencies still see such products as a threat. And I would warn them not to ignore these new developments as they roll out in the British market over the next two years. Corporates do want greater control over their travel expenditure – and agencies should work with them to achieve this.”
See: Worldspan strengthens e-commerce strategy with Priceline deal
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps