HMH CEO discusses travel and tourism innovation strategies
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Laurent A. Voivenel, CEO of HMH – Hospitality Management Holdings, has discussed his views on travel and tourism innovation strategies with the UAE Ministry of Economy and United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).
He was part of a panel discussion entitled ‘The Future of Travel Distribution Systems’ at the Tourism Innovation and Transformation Forum organised by ejtemaat in collaboration with the Ministry and UNWTO.
Global Distribution Systems (GDS) & Central Reservations systems (CRS) are complex and have changed the way travel itineraries were booked since 1964. In the session, the experts critically analysed the role and relevance of distribution within hospitality & travel, how it has changed the business, innovations within it and how it connects and interacts with the travel ecosystem including Online Travel Agencies (OTAs), airlines, hotels and tour operators. The speakers looked at the latest trends to map the future of travel distribution and how it may impact revenue and costs.
Commenting on the ‘brand websites versus OTAs’ debate, Voivenel highlighted some of the key challenges facing regional hotel management groups in terms of distribution.
“OTA penetration has been much higher in the Middle East region since the hotel sector here is extremely fragmented,” he said.
“There is need to drive more bookings through hotel websites as well as to have more added value from distribution partners given the budget limitations local groups have compared to global hospitality giants. Channel Integration has become more and more complex and dense with distribution costs increasing year on year.”
Voivenel also said that UAE travellers were looking for the seamless integration of mobile technology into travel.
“They want efficient personalisation – “My Stay, My Way” – and wish to be connected through automation,” he said.
“They want engagement, be it through smart apps, web chat or social media. It is all about IoT (Internet of Things). There is a need for more user-friendly Arabic and mobile booking engines.”
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