Patrick Andres, Vice President Asia Pacific, Sabre Hospitality Solutions kicked things off by saying that there were possibly a number of ‘things’ he could pop up on the screen to answer this… “The Cloud”, “Social Media” for example… but he’s clear:

“What’s going to change travel, is what’s always changed travel, the pyramid of needs of people.  People will change travel.”

Sascha Hausmann CEO, eRevMax was up next, “We need a reality check”, he says, ” We are mistaken if we think mobile will replace computers.  (What can only be described as a large murmur from the audience then ensued) “We still have over a billion PCs that are being used everyday. We need to focus on mobile AND PC’s.  

Jason Nash , VP Product Innovation, Travelport GDS- “It’s convergence – convergence of technology and of devices.  HTML5, Social and search are slowly combining.  Mobility is where it’s at.  GPS – offers in specific locations – this represents totally new opportunities coming our way.  These are opportunities for differentiation.  We should ask ourselves, “How can we combine these components to bring new really useful solutions to the customer?”

Sascha is quick to clarify, “Of course mobile is important, but don’t JUST focus on mobile.  Jason is quick to add. “We have to focus on where the ‘ball’ is.  We need to think forward – if we don’t, we will be disappointed.” 

Siew Hoon asks Sacha, “What are you spending most of your money on? – “integrating or products – making them talk to each other.

Perhaps these integrated products will be aimed at the explosion of ‘new’ travelers Patrick talks about – new travelers who will demand that hotels and airlines change the way they do business.

At a conference where Mobile has been highlighted as key ‘Groove, one should perhaps listen to Sascha and make sure our focus doesn’t get too targeted around mobile only.

Or perhaps Jason might be more on the proverbial ball with his suggestion of convergence around mobile.

Patrick, of course, would add that it’s up to us all to decide.