Amadeus says that its recent business travel survey highlights potential new commercial channel
The technology and distribution solutions company for the travel and tourism industry, has revealed results from a recent poll detailing the rising popularity of user-generated content and its effects on booking habits.
All business travel agents in the UK questioned and 87% of leisure agents agreed that they used sites such as TripAdvisor, lgougo and YouTube, to review hotel ratings to provide advice and added value for their customers.
Most agents agreed that web 2.0 and user-generated content has had an effect on the way people book travel; more than half of the respondents admitted to not using such sites in the course of their everyday work.
Amadeus wants to address this with the provision of advanced selling platforms as it continues to make key signings in both the business and leisure travel sectors.
”It is clear that agents are all too aware what they need to be doing to keep customers happy, and our survey shows that the industry needs to be embracing emerging technology,” said Amadeus UK and Ireland director of marketing, Elaine Seeto.
”Amadeus is always on the lookout for new ways in which to help travel professionals and is seriously considering if and how to integrate Web 2.0 to benefit users of our proven travel technology solutions.”