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TECHNOLOGY www.travelweeklyweb.com Abacus presents bullish forecast for 2014 It expects more corporate and leisure travellers this year. Abacus, as the region's leading GDS is looking forward to a great year's trading in 2014, given the economic fundamentals of Asia Pacific and realisation of years of investment in technological innovation, anticipating related changes in demand for travel that are happening now. In the more favourable business climate, increasing numbers of corporate and leisure travellers are taking to the skies, particularly from India and China where demographic changes are creating massive domestic and international demand. Deregulation is also broadening the choices for all. Robert Bailey, President and CEO of Abacus explained, "We are very positive about the outlook in the world's largest and most dynamic travel market, with the adoption of new travel-related technologies and low cost flights expanding the market for Abacus and our partners exponentially." The result is a burgeoning distribution grid for the travel technology company, with increased business from new sectors taking Abacus in different directions this year. "2014 will be ground-breaking for Abacus," Bailey added. CAAC Licensing Abacus has just announced its approval for licensing by the Civil Aviation Authority of China (CAAC) to give travel agents across the mainland its GDS technology to book foreign airlines directly. Active in China since 1995, this could represent step-change for www.travelweeklyweb.com to technological innovation around LCC content and pricing. In a recent Abacus study of corporate travel agencies and travel management companies, three-quarters had noted greater demand for LCC seats from their clients. Another poll focussed on those online, however revealed that a third were having difficulty quoting total fares. The company, with the widest portfolio of low cost carriers in Asia Pacific, is determined to make LCC booking simple and seamless, for the benefit of suppliers, intermediaries and the consumer. "We are committed to helping the trade channel market low cost carriers' ancillary products at the point-of-sale, explaining to travellers what they are buying vis-à-vis hybrid and full service alternatives. This is especially important to corporates and their travel management companies. It's a huge potential win for them and for the carriers looking to build share of the business sector." We saw budget carriers integrated with Abacus grow their bookings by an average of 86 per cent in 2013. It will double again this year," Bailey predicted. Mobile apps Robert Bailey, President and CEO, Abacus Abacus, opening up an outbound market estimated to be worth 94 billion CNY to the travel agent channel there in 2012. Low Cost catalyst Indonesia is also powering growth in Southeast Asia for the GDS, with agents installing its Abacus PowerSuite and Abacus WorkSpace end-to-end solutions, spurred by the network of low cost routes serving the archipelago. Corporate travel innovation Low cost travel is not, however, just about broadening access regionally. It's adding a new dimension to corporate travel, leading Another major focus for 2014 is the personalised web-based and wireless technology. Abacus has invested heavily in mobile apps, but is incubating more product concepts this year to test and bring to market. "Gone are the days when consumers accepted a one-size-fits-all travel experience. They expect to customise every aspect of their trip, from where they sit, what they eat or watch and the type of hotel they like better for a few dollars more or less," commented Bailey. "True also of corporate travellers who are subject to policies, they want more choice and control." In conclusion, it is a much more collaborative Abacus for 2014, working with our partners, adjacent technology specialists, new and different airlines and travel vendors to realise the opportunities the company sees in the region this year. JANUARY 2014 | TRAVELWEEKLY ASIA ■ | 5

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