Accor To Cut Costs, Drive Direct Bookings

22 February, 2013 by Martin Kelly

Hotel company Accor has embarked on a twin strategy to boost flagging performance by 1) cutting €100m in costs to counter poor market conditions in southern Europe and 2) accelerating new openings in more vibrant markets, especially Asia. Accor says it will also drive more bookings online line and sell direct (bypassing travel agency commissions) wherever possible. See stories in Financial Times and Travolution.

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Events

- Bangkok, June 25, 2013 -

Book now to get the early bird rate for No Vacancy SEA, Asia's most dynamic hotel event, in Bangkok on June 25.

The issues-based, info-packed conference - which last year attracted 160 hoteliers, OTAs, distributors and tech suppliers - is unique in the way it mixes the online and offline worlds.

This year's Southeast Asian conference is based around the concept of 'Beyond Price' and is full of relevant topics, speakers and information.

Marketing, distribution, consumers, pricing, internet, design, innovation, market analysis, technology and mobile are, as always, key themes.

Confirmed speakers include:

Scott Blume, CEO, Wotif Group
Bill Barnett, Director, C9 Hotelworks
Javier Cedillo-Espin, VP Communications and Loyalty, Accor Asia Pacific
Daniel Fraser, Director, Smiling Albino
Anthony Green, Digital Director, QUO Global
Nalin Kalayanamitr, Marketing & Sales Strategies Manager, Lub d Bangkok Hostel
Bambos Kaisharis, Industry Head, Travel, Southeast Asia, Google
Tomas Laboutka, CEO & Co-Founder, HotelQuickly
Max Lambert, Co-Owner, Vietnam Backpacker’s Hostels
Andrew Langston, VP Hotels Operations APAC, Banyan Tree
Vikram Malhi, GM, Expedia South Asia
Rajiv Malhotra, Head of Marketing SEA, Hotels.com
Clint Nagata, Founder and Creative Director, BLINK Design Group
Stephen O'Dell, Director, SODA
Lothar Pehl, SVP Operations and Global Initiatives, Starwood Hotels and Resorts AP
Rob Rosenstein, CEO, Agoda
Nikki Scott, Publisher, SEA Backpacker
Tejinder Sidhu, VP Sales & Marketing, Compass Hospitality
Tarandeep Singh, Director Revenue Management For Hire - AMEA, InterContental Hotels Group
Karthik Siva, Chairman, Global Brand Forum
Brendan Sobie, Chief Analyst SEA, Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation
Mark Southby, CEO, CheckInTonight.asia
Jerome Wise, VP eCommerce, TravelClick

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Program. Speakers. Bookings.

TRAVELtech: Reboot

- Sydney, September 12 & 13 -

This is quick shout out for ideas, speakers, sponsors and feedback for TRAVELtech, which was founded way back in 1999.

That would be the decade before last. A long time ago. Prehistoric in tech and travel terms, so time to change things up.

The big news is that TRAVELtech 2013 will be staged over two days - September 12 & 13 - instead of the traditional one.

The first day - the new day - will be all about travel technology with the content aimed at those working in the industry's growing IT sector.

Day two will address online travel, e-commerce, distribution, digital marketing, mobile, social media, web trends and other key issues.

In other words, day two is the "traditional" TRAVELtech program which has worked so well over the past few years.

The idea is to reboot TRAVELtech and broaden its appeal without losing program focus,which we'll be able to do by having two distinct days.

This modular approach will also be reflected in tickets and pricing.

Delegates can buy individual day tickets or a two day pass at a reduced rate, depending on what they interested in, and details on that will be available in early June.

Meanwhile, we are seeking speakers, sponsors, supporters and program ideas - or variations on all of those themes.

So please get in contact, let me know your thoughts, no matter how random they may be.

You can call on (02) 9882-1575 or shoot through an email: martin.kelly@traveltrends.biz

Thanks for your time and hope to hear from you soon.

Regards,

Martin Kelly
Founder, TRAVELtech

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