Gatwick airport’s chief information officer wants larger companies to share data and information with small start-up firms to help provide a better travel experience for customers.
Speaking on Wednesday at the SMART London joint event with London & Partners as part of London Technology Week, Michael Ibbitson said “only by embracing the spirit of collaboration” can large companies meet the needs of travellers.
“Business and leisure travellers are looking for a seamless end-to-end experience which combines their travel, be it by plane, train or automobile, with their hotel and airport experience,” said Ibbitson.
“The travel companies that succeed in the future will be those that relax their grip on their own technology and information to work in partnerships to give their customers what they want.”
At the event Gatwick’s CIO announced the airport was sharing operational data for the research and development to have real-time access to data via an API, on request.
Ibbitson’s comments come as The Traveltech Lab, a working space created by the Trampery and London & Partners that aims to begin together tech start-ups and big corporates in the travel industry, announced a membership scheme to enable more start-ups to participate in the Lab’s activity.
“London has a vibrant tech scene and is one of the global centres for the travel industry. If major companies embrace partnerships and incorporate the dynamic innovation coming out of initiatives like the Traveltech Lab, London can cement its position as a global leader in travel technology.”
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