The World Travel Agents Associations Alliance (WTAAA) has welcomed Amadeus as its first-ever Allied Member. The alignment aims to cement co-operation between travel agencies and technology providers, with a long-term view on positively impacting travel distribution.
Industry advocacy
Otto de Vries, executive director of WTAAA, explained that having organisations with the gravitas of Amadeus within the WTAAA fold gave the organisation broader influence in discussions with stakeholders across the travel ecosystem.
“This expanded reach strengthens our ability to advocate for and champion fair treatment of travel advisers and consumers globally,” said De Vries.
Upskilling on tech
Booking behaviours and the way in which travel is arranged and consumed have changed, and technology has had to evolve to keep up.
“It’s crucial for all industry players to come together to address opportunities and challenges faced by advisers,” said Juan Jesús García, Vice-President of Industry and Government Affairs for EMEA at Amadeus. Amadeus is supporting WTAAA by assisting them with strategies around distribution, technology adoption and future industry trends.
Forging ahead
Amadeus will guide WTAAA on its vision for updating industry programmes as well as the adoption of NDC.
“With travel technology and distribution systems intricately impacting travel agencies, it’s vital we work hand-in-hand with partners like Amadeus to promote sustainable, agency-friendly models,” said De Vries.
