NEWS 9 Moving Fast in a
NEWS 9 Moving Fast in a Changing World GTA looks for ways to increase “footprint or range of accommodation, services and experiences” at ITB Berlin With a wealth of experience, privileged relationships and on the ground expertise, GTA is a true leader in the fully independent travel (FIT) industry. Rolf Schafroth, Chief Executive of Kuoni Global Travel Services and GTA gives ITB Berlin News an exclusive insight into what his organisation is highlighting at ITB Berlin 2013. Rolf Schafroth Chief Executive of Kuoni Global Travel Services and of GTA Rolf Schafroth is Chief Executive of Kuoni Global Travel Services and of GTA, their fully independent travel (FIT) business. With a degree in Business Economics, Rolf was a management consultant for Coopers & Lybrand (now PwC) and Deloitte & Touche. He joined Kuoni as Head of Financial Controlling and was quickly named Head of Finance & IT for Kuoni’s Incoming Strategic Business Unit. In 2003 he assumed overall responsibility for Incoming Europe, the Kuoni Group’s biggest incoming unit, and in 2006 was named CEO of Destination Management. In 2007 he was appointed to the Group Executive Board as Head of the Strategic Business Division Destination Management. Hall 9 Stand 202 We will highlight our booking sites – particularly our European retail brand, TravelCube and GTA for wholesale – which connect travel wholesalers, high street and online travel agents, tour operators and consolidators to a vast portfolio of travel options. We have hotels and other accommodation options, city tours and transfer services, unique experiences, attraction tickets and restaurants in more than 190 destinations – practically every part of the world. Increasing interest in sub-saharan Africa saw us add 170 hotels this year on that continent, while our partnership with Santika Hotels throughout the islands of Indonesia means our travel agents will benefit from increasing economic and visitor interest in this part of the world. What are the key tourism trends at the moment among your customers? Value for money is as important for travel businesses as it is for consumers. Hotels and other suppliers choose us because we have an established and farreaching network of offices and personnel. There’s less risk and more to gain by working with us to market their properties and services to a truly global audience of potential travellers. They can reach emerging markets that don’t yet warrant sales representatives of their own. And of course, it’s incredibly cost effective. Many hoteliers want to be sure that they are winning business through different channels and different markets so they can plan in the face of adverse market forces. GTA helps them do that. For our clients, and particularly in Europe, they are seeking to maximise profitability in the face of uncertainty. They want partnerships that offer a mix of competitive pricing that they can pass on to consumers. They want systems that are fast and easy to use, so they can get things done and move on to the next job. They want accommodation and experiences in destinations their customers want to visit. They want to call on support when they need it, from people who understand their business and their market. How do you differentiate GTA’s offering? GTA has been powering global travel for nearly four decades. Our reliable technology is the bedrock of our business, connecting the world’s travel sellers with unrivalled content at the best possible prices. Our integration with Kuoni has enhanced our global influence, ITB Berlin (…) It’s also a good time to take the temperature of the market ahead of the summer season which – coupled with a thorough understanding of destinations and the insightful application of local expertise – helps us secure year-round business for our partners. What do you aim to achieve at ITB Berlin and how important is the show for you? ITB is another chance for us to meet many of our clients and suppliers in person and our stand (Hall 9, Stand 202) is always buzzing. It’s also a good time to take the temperature of the market ahead of the summer season: not just Europe’s, but for other parts of the world too as ITB attracts exhibitors and delegates from around the globe. [Interview by Richard Barnes] German Travel Industry Club Honours Announced at ITB Berlin At one of the most prestigious travel award ceremonies on the global calendar, the German Travel Industry Club honoured both national and international travel professionals at ITB Berlin on Tuesday. Kurt Ritter was recognised for decades of services to the global travel industry with the Lifetime Achievement Award. One of the longest serving executives in the international hospitality industry, Ritter was President and CEO of the Rezidor Hotel Group between 1989 and 2012, and helped Rezidor become one of the world’s fastest growing hotel companies. Meanwhile, Roger Willemsen, a travel journalist, television presenter and producer, was crowned Tourism Ambassador for 2013 for creating “bridges between cultures and thus inspiring people to travel.” This year, the German Travel Industry Club not only awarded quality work by outstanding travel industry professionals, but also acknowledged travel businesses that promote social and corporate responsibility. Johannes Zurnieden, founder of Phoenix Travel in Germany, was inducted into the Travel Hall of Fame for enshrining the importance of philanthropy in Phoenix’s corporate philosophy long before the term Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) was invented. For almost 40 years, Phoenix Travel has been involved in charitable projects such as Bread for the World, and for significant financial contributions to natural disaster relief efforts. ITB BERLIN NEWS • Wednesday 6 th March 2013
