Technology to drive Chinese agents – Amadeus
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Implementing new IT solutions will be the main factor driving the growth of travel agencies in China in the coming years, according to a new report by Amadeus.
Following a series of agent workshops held in Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai, the travel technology company said that 90% of the 300 Chinese travel agents it spoke to said they are looking to adopt new technological solutions to boost their businesses.
A survey conducted at the workshops revealed that the top three priorities for travel agents in China include delivering more content to customers, implementing the right technology and improving their online sales strategy.
Sixty-nine percent of those surveyed said the main customer expectation was for agents to provide more content. This made it the biggest priority for a business, ahead of offering low prices and high quality service.
The second priority was investment in technology. Travel agents in China were found to regard pricing pressure from competitors, operating costs and lack of technology as the main challenges they face in running their business. Ninety-three percent of respondents said that technology has the potential to transform their businesses.
Finally, the third major priority was driving more online sales. More than 90% of travel agents surveyed indicated that online sales were important or very important to their company strategy. About half (49%) however, said they are currently dissatisfied with their companies’ online business strategy.
“The insights delivered at these exclusive workshops are very valuable to us as we look to develop and deliver products and services that will cater to our customers’ needs in China as the market opens. Be it online sales or content, Amadeus is well-geared to deliver the best solutions that will meet the specific needs of travel agents here in China,” said Bart Tompkins, managing director of Amadeus China.
“China is arguably one of the fastest-growing and most important markets for travel in the world today, and travel professionals here are now recognising the importance of investing in technology to capture growth and take their business to the next level. We look forward to working with our Chinese customers to deliver customised solutions that are tailored to ensure the success of their business,” he added.
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