Abacus To Launch Industry Learning Initiative

Bhisham Mansukhani - Mumbai

GDS major Abacus is gearing up to launch a learning initiative aimed at enhancing the travel trade's application of GDS software as well as lifting and maintaining the overall existing standards of service.

Abacus Distribution Systems (India) MD, Viiveck Verma told ET&T in an exclusive that the company sought to help the industry retain its talent and perhaps add to it. "We want to enhance the usage of GDS software, which is still far from optimum in so much as the positive impact it has on the travel agent's business," he said. "We want to create a platform wherein we can present the industry as an attractive profession for the latent talent that is being soaked up by other verticals. Travel as a profession needs some presentation and requisite energy and we are designing some modules that will be used to educate travel agencies in so much as maximising revenues using the technology platform and related software. Cost control is another important area and we will get our accounting partners into the fray," Verma said.

Abacus will also assist travel agents in training their new staff regarding systems. A lot of the training will be conducted at facilities set up in Abacus regional offices or at the agent's premises. Tie-ups with educational institutions that offer courses related to the travel trade are also on the anvil. "I think educational institutions need to do more with regard to introducing students to the automated elements. Software has become very sophisticated and has a significant impact on the business model of agents. The staff hence need to be cued into the technology."

Abacus currently has training facilities in six cities, which it will subsequently increase by four. Ten specialised trainers are already on hand to kickstart the programme.