TRAVELLER TRIBES 2030

Last week's SPAA Seminar at the Waldorf Astoria  made many fascinating observations and raised a lot of interesting questions. Did you know that customers of the future will basically fall into one of six Traveller Tribes? Maybe it sounds strange, but it's a new and more creative way of analysing and categorising the behaviour of customers based on both technological advancement (the way people will actually buy and the information available to them) and predicting what influences their motivations to buy (why and from whom they buy a particular product).

Is your client of the future going to be a 'Simplicity Searcher' or a 'Cultural Purist'? Or perhaps even a Reward Hunter? If you weren't at the seminar but are interested in the findings - I won't spoil it for you. You can request a copy of the report (commissioned by GDS and travel technology company Amadeus) from  Jhogarth@spaa.org

We were also given a great insight into New Distribution Capability (NDC) and the reasons why dominant carriers in certain countries are pushing the 'direct connect' agenda, by Svend Leirvaag - Vice President of Industry Affairs at Amadeus, who engaged the audience in a very interactive and thought-provoking discussion. This is the second time that Svend has given us the benefit of his vast knowledge on the subject at an SPAA seminar - and not without some self-deprecating humour, as at one point he likened himself to a 'Muppet on a balcony'.  Got to say Svend,  with patter like that, you will be welcomed back anytime!

Massive congratulations are in order to Scottish Luxury Tour Operator If Only... - who not only scooped 'Best Luxury Tour Operator' at the TTG Awards in London - but also won the 'Best Tour Operator' category. It's a huge accolade and achievement for Brendan Maguire and his team at If Only... and it's great to see a Scottish company competing and winning at the highest level.