| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 17/07/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 28 |
| Copyright: Other |
Agents warned over Internet strategy
Sabre and Travel Weekly hosted a forum titled Embracing the Internet last week. Tanya Jefferies reports
TRAVEL agents have been warned not to attempt to establish an Internet presence on the cheap.Internet expert Peter Dennis, of Fi System said:”Agents seem to think they can do their own Internet site for £20,000.
“You need to put in as much as you can, and if it means going to the bank with a new business plan then that is what you must do.
“The bank will listen to you more than it will a young guy with no experience. It’s a matter of how good your strategy and your business plan is.”
Dennis, who was speaking at the Embracing the Internet forum at Le Meridien Waldorf in London, insisted that agents had to adapt to the reality of the Internet.
“The Internet is changing everything that we do in terms of communications. There is a fantastic communications jungle out there,” he said.
“Charles Darwin said it’s not the strongest that survive, it’s those who are most adaptable. You have got to adapt now as you have never adapted before.”
Dennis said agents used to be able to offer value by obtaining tickets and travel documents for customers but now they have to offer a quality service that is better than anything people can get on the Internet.
“If a customer contacts you by phone and hears one thing, then goes on to the Internet and sees another, then you are gone,” he claimed.
Talking technology: Peter Dennis, Fi System, left and David Brown, Sabre at the Internet forum