NEWS


UNWANTED LEGACY AGEING TECH SYSTEMS ARE TOP BARRIER TO GROWTH, TTE SURVEY FINDS L


egacy systems are the biggest barrier to digital transformation in travel, according to a poll by the


Travel Technology Europe trade show. The survey of suppliers and buyers


found 48% of travel professionals cited outdated technology as a barrier to transformation. This was followed by ‘knowledge gaps’ (45%), ‘budget’ (39%) and ‘talent or skills gaps’ (30%). Another major barrier highlighted by


respondents was a ‘lack of board buy-in or corporate vision’, with just over a quarter highlighting this as an issue. Charlotte Lamp Davies, founder of A


Bright Approach and advisor to TTE, said: “The travel sector is still rife with legacy systems and these survey results FRQUP MXVW ZKDW DQ LPSDFW WKLV LV having on progress. “Endless amounts of patchwork


solutions are being executed to antiquated technology platforms,


50


which prevent many established travel companies from moving forward.” She warned: “New players with better


tech will eradicate and replace those who don’t invest in new technology.” Lamp Davies’ thoughts were echoed


by Paul Stephen, chief executive at digital agency Sagittarius, who said: “Most travel brands have legacy technology at their core and are also KHOG EDFN E\ KDELW 7KLV LV YHU\ GLIFXOW to change and holds back progress.” Outside of the main barriers to


digitisation, respondents also agreed that a lack of integration between technology suppliers, alongside the speed of change within the sector, was SUHYHQWLQJ WUDYHO UPV IURP PDNLQJ much-needed improvements in this area. Brian Sheerin, managing director at


%DUULHUV WR GLJLWDO WUDQVIRUPDWLRQ Survey of TTE suppliers and buyers 48%


45% 40 39% 30 26% 20 22% 30% 30%


booking platform provider SABS, said: “Moving away from legacy systems UHTXLUHV VLJQLFDQW LQYHVWPHQW DQG development of talent. The truth is, though, they are very TXLFNO\ EHFRPLQJ XQW IRU purpose, are clunky to use and a drain on time and resources.” The survey also found that


10 9% 0


WUDYHO UPV SODFH D ODFN RI technological skills as the number-one internal concern for their businesses in 2020. The issue of a tech skills


gap was in fourth place behind economic concerns, sustain- able travel and climate change.


TRAVEL’S TOP ISSUES


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➢ Legacy systems Q&A, page 9


TRAVOLUTION.CO.UK — FEBRUARY 2020 — 7


Board buy-in/corporate vision


Budget


Knowledge gaps


Talent / skills gaps


Legacy systems


Lack of flexibility


Silo mentality


Other


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