http://www.wilhelmus.ca/2008/11/a-critical-look-at-phocuswrights-travel-innovators.html William Bakker is Chief Strategist at Think! Social Media. These are my personal thoughts. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:20:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://www.wilhelmus.ca/2008/11/a-critical-look-at-phocuswrights-travel-innovators.html/comment-page-1#comment-210 Wilhelmus Fri, 21 Nov 2008 17:10:47 +0000 http://beta.wilhelmus.ca/2008/11/a-critical-look-at-phocuswrights-travel-innovators/#comment-210 About the JABS thing. I received a few emails and now Stephens comment. It's not meant in a disrespectful way. We use it internally sometimes because we get so many phonecalls from people selling reservation systems (among other things). The reservation systems presented on Monday have new features, new business models or target a new sector. I guess it comes down to what your definition of innovation is. Wikipedia: incremental, radical, and revolutionary changes in thinking, products, processes, or organizations. That's a high bar to meet, at least in my mind. I know for a fact how complicated the technology behind travel booking systems can be. And also how competitive the landscape is. The systems presented this week all have their niche and are/can/will be very successful; innovative or not. About the JABS thing. I received a few emails and now Stephens comment. It’s not meant in a disrespectful way. We use it internally sometimes because we get so many phonecalls from people selling reservation systems (among other things).
The reservation systems presented on Monday have new features, new business models or target a new sector. I guess it comes down to what your definition of innovation is. Wikipedia: incremental, radical, and revolutionary changes in thinking, products, processes, or organizations. That’s a high bar to meet, at least in my mind.
I know for a fact how complicated the technology behind travel booking systems can be. And also how competitive the landscape is. The systems presented this week all have their niche and are/can/will be very successful; innovative or not.

]]> http://www.wilhelmus.ca/2008/11/a-critical-look-at-phocuswrights-travel-innovators.html/comment-page-1#comment-507 Wilhelmus Fri, 21 Nov 2008 17:10:00 +0000 http://beta.wilhelmus.ca/2008/11/a-critical-look-at-phocuswrights-travel-innovators/#comment-507 About the JABS thing. I received a few emails and now Stephens comment. It's not meant in a disrespectful way. We use it internally sometimes because we get so many phonecalls from people selling reservation systems (among other things). The reservation systems presented on Monday have new features, new business models or target a new sector. I guess it comes down to what your definition of innovation is. Wikipedia: incremental, radical, and revolutionary changes in thinking, products, processes, or organizations. That's a high bar to meet, at least in my mind. I know for a fact how complicated the technology behind travel booking systems can be. And also how competitive the landscape is. The systems presented this week all have their niche and are/can/will be very successful; innovative or not. About the JABS thing. I received a few emails and now Stephens comment. It’s not meant in a disrespectful way. We use it internally sometimes because we get so many phonecalls from people selling reservation systems (among other things).
The reservation systems presented on Monday have new features, new business models or target a new sector. I guess it comes down to what your definition of innovation is. Wikipedia: incremental, radical, and revolutionary changes in thinking, products, processes, or organizations. That’s a high bar to meet, at least in my mind.
I know for a fact how complicated the technology behind travel booking systems can be. And also how competitive the landscape is. The systems presented this week all have their niche and are/can/will be very successful; innovative or not.

]]> http://www.wilhelmus.ca/2008/11/a-critical-look-at-phocuswrights-travel-innovators.html/comment-page-1#comment-209 Stephen Joyce Fri, 21 Nov 2008 07:37:06 +0000 http://beta.wilhelmus.ca/2008/11/a-critical-look-at-phocuswrights-travel-innovators/#comment-209 There were two major themes at the TIS, Vacation rentals and Trip Planners. Rezgo was the only "innovation" targeted specifically at local tour and activity suppliers. Suppliers that specifically impact local economies. Although I agree with you that Rezgo is a booking system, I don't agree that it is "Just another booking system". What we launched at PhoCusWright is the RezgoConnect and Rezgo Vendor platforms which power the business relationship building between local tour and activity suppliers and vendors/retailers who sell these products. Even though Rezgo is not "sexy" like some of the fancy map enabled trip planning tools, I spoke to many people at the conference who could see the potential to aggregate massive amounts of supplier generated content (including rich text, geotag data, images, pricing and availability). Data, I might add, that can be re-used by DMOs and tourism partners at no cost. I am still convinced that the marketing has to start by engaging the people who ultimately deliver the services to travellers because they are the ones who make or break a traveller's experience. That's why we developed Rezgo. What would you guys bet on it? I'd bet my house, but I've already done that. There were two major themes at the TIS, Vacation rentals and Trip Planners. Rezgo was the only “innovation” targeted specifically at local tour and activity suppliers. Suppliers that specifically impact local economies. Although I agree with you that Rezgo is a booking system, I don’t agree that it is “Just another booking system”. What we launched at PhoCusWright is the RezgoConnect and Rezgo Vendor platforms which power the business relationship building between local tour and activity suppliers and vendors/retailers who sell these products.
Even though Rezgo is not “sexy” like some of the fancy map enabled trip planning tools, I spoke to many people at the conference who could see the potential to aggregate massive amounts of supplier generated content (including rich text, geotag data, images, pricing and availability). Data, I might add, that can be re-used by DMOs and tourism partners at no cost.
I am still convinced that the marketing has to start by engaging the people who ultimately deliver the services to travellers because they are the ones who make or break a traveller’s experience. That’s why we developed Rezgo.
What would you guys bet on it? I’d bet my house, but I’ve already done that.

]]> http://www.wilhelmus.ca/2008/11/a-critical-look-at-phocuswrights-travel-innovators.html/comment-page-1#comment-506 Stephen Joyce Fri, 21 Nov 2008 07:37:00 +0000 http://beta.wilhelmus.ca/2008/11/a-critical-look-at-phocuswrights-travel-innovators/#comment-506 There were two major themes at the TIS, Vacation rentals and Trip Planners. Rezgo was the only "innovation" targeted specifically at local tour and activity suppliers. Suppliers that specifically impact local economies. Although I agree with you that Rezgo is a booking system, I don't agree that it is "Just another booking system". What we launched at PhoCusWright is the RezgoConnect and Rezgo Vendor platforms which power the business relationship building between local tour and activity suppliers and vendors/retailers who sell these products. Even though Rezgo is not "sexy" like some of the fancy map enabled trip planning tools, I spoke to many people at the conference who could see the potential to aggregate massive amounts of supplier generated content (including rich text, geotag data, images, pricing and availability). Data, I might add, that can be re-used by DMOs and tourism partners at no cost. I am still convinced that the marketing has to start by engaging the people who ultimately deliver the services to travellers because they are the ones who make or break a traveller's experience. That's why we developed Rezgo. What would you guys bet on it? I'd bet my house, but I've already done that. There were two major themes at the TIS, Vacation rentals and Trip Planners. Rezgo was the only “innovation” targeted specifically at local tour and activity suppliers. Suppliers that specifically impact local economies. Although I agree with you that Rezgo is a booking system, I don’t agree that it is “Just another booking system”. What we launched at PhoCusWright is the RezgoConnect and Rezgo Vendor platforms which power the business relationship building between local tour and activity suppliers and vendors/retailers who sell these products.
Even though Rezgo is not “sexy” like some of the fancy map enabled trip planning tools, I spoke to many people at the conference who could see the potential to aggregate massive amounts of supplier generated content (including rich text, geotag data, images, pricing and availability). Data, I might add, that can be re-used by DMOs and tourism partners at no cost.
I am still convinced that the marketing has to start by engaging the people who ultimately deliver the services to travellers because they are the ones who make or break a traveller’s experience. That’s why we developed Rezgo.
What would you guys bet on it? I’d bet my house, but I’ve already done that.

]]> http://www.wilhelmus.ca/2008/11/a-critical-look-at-phocuswrights-travel-innovators.html/comment-page-1#comment-208 Wilhelmus Tue, 18 Nov 2008 07:58:26 +0000 http://beta.wilhelmus.ca/2008/11/a-critical-look-at-phocuswrights-travel-innovators/#comment-208 Some of the product presented is focused on a single new idea with a website build around it. They should combine all these ideas. You make a key point Reinhard. You can automate many things. But to sell a destination, it comes down to providing the right content to the user; and not just product and pricing. It has to inspire, motivate and educate. DMO's are in the business of content development. Our close relationships with our industry operators and communities allow us to gather it efficiently. And it's not just a matter of scraping a bunch of words and pictures together from a variety of sources. Some of the product presented is focused on a single new idea with a website build around it. They should combine all these ideas.
You make a key point Reinhard. You can automate many things. But to sell a destination, it comes down to providing the right content to the user; and not just product and pricing. It has to inspire, motivate and educate.
DMO’s are in the business of content development. Our close relationships with our industry operators and communities allow us to gather it efficiently. And it’s not just a matter of scraping a bunch of words and pictures together from a variety of sources.

]]> http://www.wilhelmus.ca/2008/11/a-critical-look-at-phocuswrights-travel-innovators.html/comment-page-1#comment-505 Wilhelmus Tue, 18 Nov 2008 07:58:00 +0000 http://beta.wilhelmus.ca/2008/11/a-critical-look-at-phocuswrights-travel-innovators/#comment-505 Some of the product presented is focused on a single new idea with a website build around it. They should combine all these ideas. You make a key point Reinhard. You can automate many things. But to sell a destination, it comes down to providing the right content to the user; and not just product and pricing. It has to inspire, motivate and educate. DMO's are in the business of content development. Our close relationships with our industry operators and communities allow us to gather it efficiently. And it's not just a matter of scraping a bunch of words and pictures together from a variety of sources. Some of the product presented is focused on a single new idea with a website build around it. They should combine all these ideas.
You make a key point Reinhard. You can automate many things. But to sell a destination, it comes down to providing the right content to the user; and not just product and pricing. It has to inspire, motivate and educate.
DMO’s are in the business of content development. Our close relationships with our industry operators and communities allow us to gather it efficiently. And it’s not just a matter of scraping a bunch of words and pictures together from a variety of sources.

]]> http://www.wilhelmus.ca/2008/11/a-critical-look-at-phocuswrights-travel-innovators.html/comment-page-1#comment-207 Reinhard Tue, 18 Nov 2008 07:43:28 +0000 http://beta.wilhelmus.ca/2008/11/a-critical-look-at-phocuswrights-travel-innovators/#comment-207 I´m also not there but Martin keeps me informed. The question is, how destinations will be able to distribute and manage the content within all these plattforms and applications. I still believe that dmo workers are the local experts and they will need to design travel experiences for their visitors more than ever. Certain things might be handed over to "machines" but others will need the human touch. So which skills will be needed in future within a dmo on local/regional/national level? I´m also not there but Martin keeps me informed. The question is, how destinations will be able to distribute and manage the content within all these plattforms and applications. I still believe that dmo workers are the local experts and they will need to design travel experiences for their visitors more than ever. Certain things might be handed over to “machines” but others will need the human touch. So which skills will be needed in future within a dmo on local/regional/national level?

]]> http://www.wilhelmus.ca/2008/11/a-critical-look-at-phocuswrights-travel-innovators.html/comment-page-1#comment-504 Reinhard Tue, 18 Nov 2008 07:43:00 +0000 http://beta.wilhelmus.ca/2008/11/a-critical-look-at-phocuswrights-travel-innovators/#comment-504 I´m also not there but Martin keeps me informed. The question is, how destinations will be able to distribute and manage the content within all these plattforms and applications. I still believe that dmo workers are the local experts and they will need to design travel experiences for their visitors more than ever. Certain things might be handed over to "machines" but others will need the human touch. So which skills will be needed in future within a dmo on local/regional/national level? I´m also not there but Martin keeps me informed. The question is, how destinations will be able to distribute and manage the content within all these plattforms and applications. I still believe that dmo workers are the local experts and they will need to design travel experiences for their visitors more than ever. Certain things might be handed over to “machines” but others will need the human touch. So which skills will be needed in future within a dmo on local/regional/national level?

]]> http://www.wilhelmus.ca/2008/11/a-critical-look-at-phocuswrights-travel-innovators.html/comment-page-1#comment-206 Martin Tue, 18 Nov 2008 06:32:03 +0000 http://beta.wilhelmus.ca/2008/11/a-critical-look-at-phocuswrights-travel-innovators/#comment-206 But is it really critical. I also posted on my blog (in german) that I got a lots of ideas but nothing really innovative. things I kept in my mind: the travel search engine Travelbeen, Triporati with the huge top content of 1.200 travel experts, tripIt with the intensive focus to attract online networkers but most impressive - TRAVELMUSE. Because it is nearly an exact copy of the idea we have to launch our new website in spring. But I knew, as I met you last year, that we both have the same feeling for good ideas. Give your wife a kiss from me and CU at Enter in Amsterdam. Martin But is it really critical. I also posted on my blog (in german) that I got a lots of ideas but nothing really innovative. things I kept in my mind: the travel search engine Travelbeen, Triporati with the huge top content of 1.200 travel experts, tripIt with the intensive focus to attract online networkers but most impressive – TRAVELMUSE. Because it is nearly an exact copy of the idea we have to launch our new website in spring. But I knew, as I met you last year, that we both have the same feeling for good ideas.
Give your wife a kiss from me and CU at Enter in Amsterdam.
Martin

]]> http://www.wilhelmus.ca/2008/11/a-critical-look-at-phocuswrights-travel-innovators.html/comment-page-1#comment-503 Martin Tue, 18 Nov 2008 06:32:00 +0000 http://beta.wilhelmus.ca/2008/11/a-critical-look-at-phocuswrights-travel-innovators/#comment-503 But is it really critical. I also posted on my blog (in german) that I got a lots of ideas but nothing really innovative. things I kept in my mind: the travel search engine Travelbeen, Triporati with the huge top content of 1.200 travel experts, tripIt with the intensive focus to attract online networkers but most impressive - TRAVELMUSE. Because it is nearly an exact copy of the idea we have to launch our new website in spring. But I knew, as I met you last year, that we both have the same feeling for good ideas. Give your wife a kiss from me and CU at Enter in Amsterdam. Martin But is it really critical. I also posted on my blog (in german) that I got a lots of ideas but nothing really innovative. things I kept in my mind: the travel search engine Travelbeen, Triporati with the huge top content of 1.200 travel experts, tripIt with the intensive focus to attract online networkers but most impressive – TRAVELMUSE. Because it is nearly an exact copy of the idea we have to launch our new website in spring. But I knew, as I met you last year, that we both have the same feeling for good ideas.
Give your wife a kiss from me and CU at Enter in Amsterdam.
Martin

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