Following the successful launch of the Amadeus Champions Club in the Gulf in 2017, Amadeus has expanded the remit of its knowledge-sharing initiative. The club connects local travel agents and other industry leaders to review new policies and develop mutually-beneficial market intelligence.
In the year ahead, Amadeus will be offering more advanced topical seminars to club members. Dedicated members groups including social media forums are also being launched, with members gaining access to the new Amadeus Live Travel Community to engage with global peers. Team-building and other social activities are also being weaved into the club programme for the coming year. A special focus will be placed on enhancing member’s access to—and capabilities around— Global Distribution Systems (GDS). According to an IATA report, many of the rigid shopping processes the industry relies upon date back 50 years or more and reflect a different way in which products were sold. This is especially relevant as the combination of mobile devices, big data and Artificial Intelligence is set to revolutionise the retail experience. One recent report commissioned by Amadeus and conducted by the London School of Economics notes that the pressure to deliver more, differentiated travel content faster and in a digestible format brings great technical challenges.
Graham Nichols, Managing Director, Amadeus Gulf, said, “The Amadeus Champions Club is a unique programme for those who seek to constantly sharpen their skills and go beyond their daily duties to push the industry forward. We are committed to growing this initiative and continuing to innovate with club members in the years to come.”
Cristian Sucu, Director Operations, Amadeus Gulf, said, “The Amadeus Champions Club is a unique platform for representatives of the Gulf’s travel sector, enabling them to expand upon their knowledge and create new synergies within the travel market. It is evolving with more initiatives for the members as they gain more skills and expertise”.
Members offered a space within the Amadeus Champions Club are recognised for their exceptional knowledge of history within the region’s travel industry.