As the travel and tourism industry remains a pillar of many GCC economies, executives at Amadeus have previewed some of the emerging technologies and business models that will lead to better experiences for travellers in 2020 and beyond.

During a recent forum held in Abu Dhabi, UAE, the company hosted some of the region’s leading travel agencies, tour operators, and other industry players. The Product Success Forum showcased a wide range of digital solutions to help travel companies optimize their fare offerings, ease bookings through remote ticketing tools, and tailor services to regional and international consumers who are increasingly searching for deals on their mobiles.

Amadeus also launched its latest net rate hotel programme, Amadeus Value Hotels, giving travel agents even more choice when booking hotels for their customers. A new digital marketing course was further announced for the local travel community, offering consultants the chance to gain the title of Amadeus Digital Marketing Certified Associate through a professional development program.

Forum keynote speaker Ernesto Sanchez Beaumont (above), managing director of Amadeus Gulf, said: “Our purpose at Amadeus is to shape the future of travel. New sophisticated tools are helping travel companies within the region to better identify, understand, and connect with travellers who are spending more of their time on digital platforms. Each touchpoint along the customer journey is an opportunity for technology leaders to improve the experience, and for service providers to bring added-value to their customers.”

The forum comes at a time when governments across the Gulf are placing great emphasis on attracting both new and repeat visitors in a competitive global market. The digitization of travel services—from searches to bookings—is one of the key methods through which destination management companies and travel agents are seeking to build a competitive edge in emerging as well as established markets.