Face-to-Face: Adam Alford
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Adam Alford, managing director – Asia Pacific for the Lowcosttravelgroup, chats with Travel Daily about his company’s expansion plans in the region…
Q) The Lowcosttravelgroup is a big deal in Europe, but not so well-known in Asia. Can you explain a little about what you do?
Correct, yes as you rightly point out Lowcostbeds is well known in Europe and North America as a hotel supplier going through a phenomenal growth. Our company not only promotes 200,000 hotels in 13 languages but we offer transfers to our 36,000 travel agents globally also. We now have offices in the USA, Brazil, Sydney Bangkok as well as our three European bases.
Q) For you personally, this marks a return to Bangkok, where you spent many years with Hotelbeds. Do you think the travel landscape changed in this time?
Yes, I spent over six years with TUI Travel Plc. Personally I think the travel landscape has evolved considerably on the distribution side. The predominance of XML and the growth of mobile mean intermediaries have had to up their game considerably, especially on the technology side. Where things have not changed however, is in the importance of hotel supply. There is no substitute for good rates and availability. At Lowcostbeds we have are own buyers and play with our own risk in key properties around the world and this is the differentiator we are seeing as we expand globally.
Q) You will now be driving Lowcostbeds expansion in Asia. What key markets will you be focusing on?
I am pleased to announce that we are now live in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Korea. We will be live in over 15 APAC markets by the end of year.
Q) What challenges do you see in the coming years, and what opportunities are you excited about?
Honestly we’re focused on the opportunities! APAC and Brazil are similar in profile where we have a population that is really well connected and becoming global travellers. The APAC population is a huge opportunity because our range of stock is unmatched and travel partners all over the region have already feedback that with one connection they fill a huge amount of supply gaps.
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