GLOBAL distribution supplier Worldspan has been inundated in the last few months by outsiders who want to get into the travel business through Internet ventures.
In a speech at ITB, Worldspan senior director sales development and marketing Tim Wright said: “We have been inundated with requests from start-up e-commerce companies, many with no travel experience just looking to make a quick buck.
“Many of those won’t make it. We are trying to sort out the good from the bad.
“I believe the companies that will make it are the ones that understand travel, have spotted a niche and have the backers to invest in heavy marketing.”
He warned agents who have not yet got involved in the Internet to do so now.
“Invest now and go and find your niche market. I have a friend who has an agency in the City of London, doing some retail and a little business travel.
“I encouraged him to get a bookable Web site. He took my advice, invested and now gets 15 bookings a day in incremental business.”