New app allows RP travelers to access flight info on their cellphones

MANILA, Philippines - A new mobile phone solution allowing Philippine users to access travel information has been launched by Amadeus, a global technology partner of travel companies. Called the Amadeus SMS solution, the application will allow local tour operators and their agents to alert their customers’ trip details. The solution—which involves more than 100 local agencies—permits customers to get travel itineraries, e-tickets, flight information, personal information, among others, through their mobile phones. Since most travelers seek convenience and quick access to information, travel agencies should exploit mobile phone technology to remain competitive, said the Madrid-headquartered company which has offices in Manila. An estimated 1.10 billion people are mobile phone users in Asia, compared to only 476 million in Western Europe. Meanwhile, some 65 million Filipinos—more than half its 90 million population—have mobile phones. The company said that travel agencies in Asia should maximize mobile phone technology to keep their customers and build on their loyalty, a global technology provider to the travel industry said. Travel agencies must find ways to strengthen revenue management through innovations, Amadeus Asia Pacific President David Brett. “The industry must be open to change," Brett said. “This may mean re-defining the way that things are done or offering travelers something totally new. Everyone must be prepared to change in order to adapt to a new environment." Amadeus will continue to provide Asian travel agencies with the latest technology to sustain their growth, said Amadeus, which began operations in the country in 1997. - GMANews.TV