The leading Hong Kong travel service provider and ticketing wholesaler is also using its 55th anniversary as the platform to launch new initiatives – one of which is its decision to re-enter the highly competitive retail travel market in Hong Kong.
It believes the partnership will give it a competitive advantage in the market, with Amadeus providing customised, end-to-end IT solutions and consultancy services which will enable Lotus and its affiliated companies to streamline their work flows and automate manual tasks for improved efficiencies.
Patrick Kong, Deputy Chairman & CEO of Lotus Tours Limited, said, “The travel agency business has become more challenging than ever in recent years with stiff competition from direct suppliers as well as online channels.
“Lotus will aggressively open up new business opportunities such as cruise and new retail business models to adapt to these challenges. Introducing smarter technology solutions from Amadeus will enable us to prepare for change, streamline our workflow and automate our processes, which will be imperative to increasing productivity, expanding our business volume and market reach, and achieving our future goals.”
Under this partnership, Lotus will work with Amadeus to develop a bespoke suite of solutions. The new solutions will incorporate a number of features aiming to improve Lotus’ operating efficiencies, offer greater customer convenience and minimise overall IT spending. For example, the solutions include a guided booking platform, which will eliminate the need for travel consultants to memorise commands for booking flights; also a smart checking system, which will help to ensure booking quality and allows travel consultants to issue point-to-point market and GDS (global distribution system) fare tickets. Being a web-based technology ensures that users can access these applications anytime and anywhere.
Additionally, a corporate self-booking website will also be built, allowing corporate customers to manage their own travel arrangements, create new profiles, view past data and much more – all done effortlessly and seamlessly.
Furthermore, transaction history will be kept in Amadeus’ newly developed mid-back office – Amadeus Travel Office Manager, resulting in streamlining of accounting procedures and strengthening of credit line control. This will allow all frontline staff to focus more on serving customers better and selling more.
David Brett, President of Amadeus Asia Pacific said,“Lotus Tours has established themselves as industry leaders in the travel market here, and they realise the importance of embracing next generation technology solutions to maintain their position as leaders in their field.”
