Featured Press Article
It's a niche way to be noticed - Travel Weekly - 25 Aug 2006
Travel Agencies and tour operators urged to innovate
In our ever-evolving industry, innovation is the key to staying ahead of the game and the Globe Awards recognises the long-sighted companies set on revolutionising how we work. That's what the Innovation Award in travel and Tourism is all about.
Last year, the award went to Holiday Taxis for developing an online system for pre-booked private transfers. Agents are given a username and password and set up an account, booking transfers in a wide range of destinations including, Europe, Florida, the Caribbean and Dubai.
Holiday Taxis national sales manager Damian Mc Donough said: "There was a gap in the market and we developed a user-friendly system that works in seconds, booking selected vehicles with a private driver from the airport to the clients' accommodation at a competitive price. Agents can now dynamically package holidays with a private transfer."
Far from resting on past achievements, Holiday Taxis intends to build on its success by servicing another 100 US cities by later this year and moving to Scandinavia, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and the Far East.
"Were going to continue widening the service in destinations across the world," said Mc Donough. "We're always working on the website too, making it clearer and quicker to use."
He advises other innovators to look for simple, good value, easy-to-use products that fill a gap in the market. "You could have the greatest idea in the world but if no-one actually wants to pay for it there's no point," he added.
Outsourcing and consultancy firm Accenture is sponsoring the Innovation Award for the third time.
Senior executive David Brown said: "Sponsorship of the Innovation Award is important to Accenture as we believe it is critical to both encourage and recognise successful innovation in our industry. It is only through innovation, in its many forms, that the industry can meet customer needs and grow revenue and profitability."
