Travelport, a leading travel commerce platform, will highlight how travel technology is driving the industry’s growth and redefining how travel is searched, shared and booked across the Middle East at the Arabian Travel Market taking place in Dubai, UAE.

Despite challenges facing the Middle East’s travel and tourism sector such as currency volatilities against the US dollar and recession in Russia, the industry is poised for more growth with online travel bookings forecast to reach $35 billion and offline sales expected to reach $63 billion by 2017.

Smartphone and tablet penetration in the Middle East is estimated to reach 600 million devices by 2018 and 90 per cent cent of the Middle East business travelers claim that apps improve their travel experience. Travelport's MTT, which is fundamental to its ATM participation this year, helps airlines and travel agents worldwide to deliver compelling digital travel experiences enhancing the end traveller’s journey.

A Travelport led seminar will introduce its cutting-edge “Incubation Labs” to the Middle East travel industry, which exist to get the best, most disruptive travel products into customers’ hands faster. The four-month travel startup accelerator programme will encourage Middle East participants to apply to participate in the initiative and highlight the program’s successes to date since its launch last year.

Rabih Saab, Travelport’s president and managing director for Europe, Middle East, Africa and South Asia said: “Our industry faces challenges, but prospects for the Middle East remain positive. We are delighted to showcase how Travelport technology is supporting the growth of travel industry trends at the Arabian Travel Market. For example, as airline offers get more complex and travellers seek more choice, personalization and flexibility to tailor their journeys according to their needs (i.e., travellers on a budget or who want to earn more miles, carry extra baggage or make last minute travel changes etc.), Travelport Smartpoint and associated technologies are helping travel agents maximize their revenues and profitability with the capability to seamlessly integrate this type of unrivalled content into their travel agency screens.  The latest airline ancillary revenue report estimates ancillary revenue will have hit more than $59 billion last year, an increase of more than 18 per cent than 2014’s figure of $36.7 billion.”

Visitors to Travelport stand TT1520 will have the chance to see its industry leading technology in action. - TradeArabia News Service