Galileo by Travelport exhibited at this year's show. Galileo by Travelport exhibited at this year's show.

On show

Technology was a major talking point at Business Travel Show Dubai with major initiatives underway to adapt and develop solutions specific to the Middle East, tailored to the needs of the local market.

BCD Travel demonstrated its TripSource NetSearch proprietary technology, aimed at simplifying comparison of web and GDS rates while tying this in to clients' managed travel programmes.

"The perception of what is needed here is very different when seen from the ground and we are streamlining our POS technology for agents," said managing director Greg O'Neil.

"We have also strengthened our regional position with the appointment of Apollo Travels as representative in Yemen."

At Alshamel International, now tied in with Carlson Wagonlit Travel for one year, vice president sales Dalia El Nazer said technology was a focus of the new partnership.

"We are working closely together to come up with local solutions, starting with reporting and management information, and the first phase is currently under development and testing - we hope to go live with this in Q1 next year," she revealed.

Story continues below
Advertisement


Dnata meanwhile scoped the competition and excited interest with the launch of the first online travel and expense (T&E) system in the Middle East, which could cut company expenditure on travel, according to Dnata Travel Services senior vice president Abdulla Tawakul. "We anticipate this technology will offer corporations savings of up to 20% of their travel spend while optimising their travel processes and providing additional services and security to travellers."

Kanoo Travel was promoting its new 24/7 corporate services centre at Kanoo Towers in Bur Dubai, while Hilton was out to tempt conference and event bookers with a programme of rewards that include Sony Playstations and Nintendo Wii consoles as well as photo printers, and navigation systems.

And, when it all got too much, Premier Inn, Virgin, Qatar Airways and BA all had beds on show, while the latter had a new terminal to promote too.

"The last tranche of flights went in to Terminal 5 this month and now it is bedded in, we will be seriously promoting the facility," said BA's Starrs.  "There has been a substantial improvement in customer satisfaction, baggage delivery and punctuality, and it is now the best transfer proposition in Europe, if not the world."

But, the last word went to the camel, patiently standing guard at entrance for two days.  Not just a tourist gimmick, but an advertisement for Dnata's new corporate initiative - camel polo.