IT Solutions and the rise of global online bookings
According to the following sources(Condor Ferries: "Over 70+ Online Travel Booking Statistics 2024"; Stratos Jets: "Travel Booking Data 2024"), online bookings are increasingly getting popular.
Online travel booking accounted for 63% of the approximately $1.2 trillion the travel industry generates every year.
In 2022, 68% of travel and tourism sales happened online, bringing in $667.55 billion in revenue by 2023.
By 2028, 76% of all travel and tourism revenue is expected to come from online sales.
In 2023, 72% of travelers said they preferred to book their trips online, compared to only 12% that preferred using a travel agent.
Statista - we quote - "estimates that by 2026, online sales will make up 73% of all revenue in travel and tourism".
80% of travellers worldwide prefer to book their entire trip online.
How remote local communities can benefit from IT solutions
Global Distribution Systems (GDS) like Amadeus can play a significant role in helping local communities access IT training, particularly in the context of the travel and tourism industry. While GDS companies themselves may not directly provide comprehensive IT training to local communities, they can contribute in several ways:
Partnerships with educational institutions: GDS companies can collaborate with local schools, colleges, and universities to provide specialized training programs focused on travel technology. This can help prepare students for careers in the travel industry and improve their overall IT skills.
Online learning platforms: GDS providers can develop or support online learning platforms that offer courses on travel technology, booking systems, and other relevant IT skills. These platforms can be accessible to local communities, allowing them to learn at their own pace.
Workshops and seminars: GDS companies can organize workshops and seminars in local communities to introduce travel technology concepts and provide hands-on experience with their systems. This can help raise awareness about career opportunities in the travel tech sector.
Internship and apprenticeship programs: By offering internships or apprenticeships, GDS companies can provide practical, on-the-job training to local community members, helping them develop valuable IT skills specific to the travel industry.
Support for local tourism businesses: GDS providers can offer training and support to local travel agencies, hotels, and other tourism-related businesses, helping them adopt and effectively use travel technology. This, in turn, can create a demand for IT-skilled workers in the community.
Collaboration with government initiatives: GDS companies can work with government agencies to support digital skills development programs in local communities. For example, they could contribute to initiatives similar to the GDS Academy in the UK, which aims to improve digital skills across the public sector.
Funding and resources: GDS providers can allocate resources or funding to support local IT training initiatives, either by sponsoring existing programs or creating new ones tailored to the needs of the community.
Train-the-trainer programs: GDS companies can implement train-the-trainer programs, where they educate local instructors who can then pass on their knowledge to the broader community. This approach can help scale IT training efforts more effectively.
By leveraging these approaches, GDS companies can contribute to improving IT skills in local communities, particularly in areas related to travel and tourism technology. This not only benefits the communities by enhancing employability and digital literacy but also helps create a skilled workforce that can support the growth of the travel industry in these regions.
By harnessing these capabilities, GDS like Amadeus can significantly contribute to more equitable and sustainable global tourism practices, benefiting both travellers and host communities in developing nations whilst addressing the challenges of overtourism.