IN BRIEF
problems across the industry. Amadeus Ventures, part of Amadeus IT Group, was formed three years ago in part as a response to this, and was one of the first divisions of its type in this space, according to its head Suzanna Chiu. “It’s about cross- geography fertilisation,” she says. “Amadeus Ventures is part of our corporate strategy; it’s a unit umbrella and looks at all our business channels – we have visibility across all sectors.”
SELLING MORE The division has made eight investments so far, but there are “three or four” further investments due to be announced later this year. “As a trend, we’re definitely seeing
things moving a lot faster. It’s constantly accelerating. Technology is easier to access. It’s easier for technology to take off in a niche area. There’s good opportunity for two partners to grow together, to leverage the ability of the start-up and grow quickly – to test a wider variety of areas.” Helping customers improve conversion
– ie sell more – is a key driver behind this activity, says Chiu, adding: “It’s less talking, more doing. We test them with our customers, to see if an idea gets traction. So if it fails, it fails.” This attitude reflects a dynamic environment that combines collaboration with competition.
¢ Amadeus has launched a mobile- first travel and expense tool. The travel technology firm claims that Cytric Travel and Expense will save companies up to 65 per cent on expense reports and 10 per cent on travel budgets. Business travellers will be able to compile and generate expense reports on their mobile devices and buyers will have greater visibility into traveller spend.
Nothing ventured… blockchain and beyond
SUZANNA CHIU AT AMADEUS VENTURES BELIEVES one area of interest is blockchain technology. IAG recently invested in a company called VChain as part of its Hangar 51 accelerator scheme. VChain technology allows customers to have control over their data and helps them get through airports faster. Statistics that show that 50 per cent of passengers make errors when submitting information to airlines before their flights, which then have to be manually corrected at the airport.
IAG is also working with VChain as part of IATA’s One
BUYINGBUSINESSTRAVEL.COM
Identity programme, to help speed up airport processes using biometrics and digital authentication.
“Blockchain is a new technology, and we want to understand how we can use it in travel,” says Chiu. “Bitcoin is commonly known, but is the only example in production. There are smaller ones, but nothing as big as bitcoin. We want to be close to the developments and movements of blockchain. I’m aware of the company IAG invested in. They’re looking at a universal problem in travel: identity.
Meanwhile, Amadeus
Ventures is poised to launch two new programmes. “Before the end of the year, we’ll launch ‘Amadeus for developers’,” she reveals. “It’s about being able to provide Amadeus technology in a much more streamlined way. Developers will be able to self- service and to test platforms.” A partnership programme is also due soon, which will see Amadeus Ventures work with other companies that might not need funding. “It focuses more on partnerships, but this is still at an early stage,” she adds.
¢ Travelport Hotelzon, a corporate hotel booking platform, has launched its new mobile app, which the company said is a mobile version of its Hotelzon site. Travellers can book, amend and cancel hotels on the move while also staying within their corporate travel policy.
¢ Click Travel is introducing a direct connection to Premier Inn’s new hotel concept, Hub. The TMC will offer content in its platform travel. cloud, and it will be the first place outside of the hotel’s channels where travellers will be able to book Hub rooms.
BBT July/August 2017 27
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104