eyefortravel - Travel Distribution India '06

‘The future is online for sure’

Ankur Bhatia Managing Director, Amadeus India and Executive Director, Bird Group

Ankur Bhatia, managing director of Amadeus India and executive director of Bird Group, speaks of the past, present and future of travel distribution

What are the initiatives your company has taken in the area of travel?

We are travel-focused and enable business-business, business-consumer, business-travel agents and travel agents-corporate interaction. Over the years we have developed various products to suit the needs for the above audience such as Airs and E-travel suites.

What role do you believe will technology play in the travel arena?

Technology will help integrate content in real time for air and non-air services like hotels, cars, cruises, insurance, etc.

Do you think the future is online?

Yes, the future is online for sure. But the brick and mortar set-up will also increase as well since the pie is increasing, which will lead to an increase in both segments.

How has the low-cost phenomenon transformed air travel in India?

The huge Indian middle class has the accessibility to travel and airline.com has given a major boost to online travel. There are check-in kiosks and e-ticketing today; tomorrow there will be e-visas. All this has transformed the way travel is done today.