Charity Trek 2012 A Success! - By Marco Gorin

While fund raising activities continue this is to report that Charity Trek 2012 reached the top of Imja Tse at 6,189 m above sea level in the late morning of October 2nd 2012. With ice and snow conditions deteriorating due to the lateness in the day Steve Skilbeck managed to reach the highest spot on the mountain to fly the flag for the 100+ HIV orphans of the Suthasinee Noi-in Foundation. The view from the top was spectacular and only rivaled in its beauty by the tremendous support that many have been providing in making this, most probably, the most successful Charity Trek ever in its 4-year history.

We will continue fund raising activities until early December just a few days before visiting the children in Thailand on 27 and 28 December 2012.

For the ones who needed any proof of our determination and commitment to the cause here are some pictures. It is not too late to make a difference by making a donation.

Visit: CHARITY TREK 2012 OFFICIAL SITE HERE

Thank you

2012 GDS is Yet to Tap 95% Market - By Marco Gorin

Here is a recent article published by TravTalk. I recently spent some time with a number of media representatives explaining the current scenario of the on-line hospitality space in the Indian market compared to global trends.

2012 InterGlobe Technology Quotient Renews Ties with Prestigious Travel Company Cox & Kings - By Marco Gorin

InterGlobe Technology Quotient (ITQ), an IT travel solutions provider and official distributor of Travelport Galileo in India and Sri Lanka, has announced the renewal of its contract with the travel conglomerate, Cox & Kings.

Cox & Kings is the longest established tours and travels company in the world. Established in 1758, they are headquartered in Mumbai with a presence in over a dozen countries worldwide. Their services include destination management, domestic and international holiday packages, luxury travel, business and MICE, NRI and foreign exchange solutions, as well as insurance.


The successful negotiations resulted in a renewal of the working agreement between the two organizations. The same was recently covered by The Economic Times of India.

2012 Note from the AVP of the Internet and Mobile Association of India - By Marco Gorin

Dear Mr. Gorin,

4^th Travel & Tourism Summit 2012

8 June 2012 · Hotel Shangri-La · New Delhi

Just a short note to thank you personally for sharing your invaluable views and experience at the 4^th Travel & Tourism Summit 2012.

Your inputs added tremendous value to the summit and, I am sure, would help participants draw up strategies conducive to their business areas.

I am enclosing a few photographs taken on the occasion for your personal album.

May I once again thank you for your presence and seek your support in all our future endeavours.

With regards,

Gaurav Chopra

Gaurav Chopra
Associate Vice President

Internet and Mobile Association of India
406, Readymoney Terrace, 167, Dr Annie Beasant Road, Mumbai 400018
Tel: 022 24954574 Mobile: 99670 29292

www.iamai.in / http://thinkingaloud.in

2012 Ezeego1 renews contract with ITQ - By Marco Gorin

The following is a recent press release to announce the renewal of a significant agreement in the on-line travel space in India:

New Delhi, June 20, 2012:  With the onset of 2012, InterGlobe Technology Quotient (ITQ) announces its renewed contract with Ezeego1. Ezeego1 is a one stop online travel bazaar that offers all travel related services.

Expressing happiness, the Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), InterGlobe Technology Quotient (ITQ) Marco Gorin says, “We are delighted to be on board with Ezeego1. We look forward to a more fruitful and mutually beneficial association.”

Reciprocating the same feeling, the Chief Operating Officer, Ezeego1, Neelu Singh says, “With ITQ’s association, Ezeego1, today, is known as a reliable platform where the consumer gets real time information at a faster transaction speed.”

About Interglobe Technology Quotient:

InterGlobe Technology Quotient (ITQ), part of InterGlobe Enterprises (India’s foremost travel conglomerate) is the official distributor of Galileo in India & Sri Lanka and Worldspan in 5 markets across the Asia Pacific region. With its corporate headquarters in Gurgaon, ITQ provides cutting edge travel technology solutions with unmatched inventory options to its customers helping them increase their productivity and business efficiency. ITQ is the key differentiator of the GDS in India and offers technology innovations like Galileo Alerts, E-Commerce, ITQ Financials among a host of other business improvement and growth tools. With an extended network of over 500 cities with 23 dedicated offices ITQ reaches out to over 11,500 agency locations and has a nationalised service centre in India. The company has been adjudged as one of the "Top 25 Best Workplaces" in India for consecutively four years - 2008, 2009, 2010 & 2011 by Great Place to Work® Institute.

For ITQ, WordsWork                                                                      

Sumana Khan                                                                                   

Sumana@wordswork.in              

About Ezeego1.com:

Ezeego1.com is one of its kinds online travel company (Meta search) founded in 2006 which offers all travel related services. It offers innovative and interactive features like multi-city international flights booking, instant chat with a flight, hotel or holiday expert, online cancellations, sort hotels by themes, user ratings and the best price on offer for the product.

It is the first online portal to be ISO 9001:2008 certified. It is well known for its low-priced airfares & holiday deals offering the best suited option, making travel deals affordable to those who wish to budget their holiday and make the most of it with the best offers. The travel bazaar showcases attractive offers allowing travellers to choose the right package and making most from the deals. Ezeego1 has recently extended its presence in international markets like Australia and Sri Lanka.

On one hand are the suppliers i.e. the airlines, hotels, tour operators, transporters, insurance companies, the forex dealers and on the other are the customers, both B2B and B2C. The portal offers real time information and transaction capability online. It uses the best technology platform in the Indian travel industry and employs a unique Single Window platform for multiple services. Ezeego1.com has strong online and offline fulfilment systems, different modes of delivery and collections, which help cater to the customer in any part of India. The portal has tied up with various payment gateway options.

Ezeego1.com is also the first travel portal to have opened a new window for the vast Hindi speaking travel market by launching a Hindi travel portal http://www.hindi.ezeego1.com to book domestic tickets. The booking system and the entire payment option both online and offline are integrated in Hindi, making travel easy and least complicated to travellers who are comfortable with the local language.

For further media details please contact:

Mili Lalwani (Manager – Corporate Communications); 9833452362; mili.lalwani@ezeego1.com

2012 Moderator at the 4th Travel & Tourism Summit - By Marco Gorin

I had the pleasure of being invited to moderate one session at the recent Travel & Tourism Summit organized by the Internet and Mobile Association of India in association with Fox Traveler at the Shangri La hotel in New Delhi. The session I moderated was titled:

"TECHNOLOGY & PAYMENTS AS A BUSINESS ENHANCER: USER OUTREACH, USER EXPERIENCE AND USER SECURITY THROUGH TECHNOLOGY"

 The panel included representatives from Google India, Makemy trip.com, IndiaMART, Quadlabs, Atom Technologies and Compuware.

It turned out to be a very lively session highlighting some of the key developments in this space in India along with key differences between the India user experience compared to general global trends as well as some of the challenges faces particularly from a regulatory perspective.

2012 easyJet Signs New Agreement with Travelport - by Marco Gorin

While the dynamics of the Indian domestic aviation market continue to challenge the GDS model in the LCC space, things are quite different in other parts of the world. A sign that convergence is a reality and the recent advancements in GDS technology and solutions can be of great value to LCC carriers as well.


In this recent article by Express Travel World I comment on the relevance of this latest positive development for the Indian and Sri Lankan markets.

2012 Involve and Evolve - the TAAI Mantra for its 60th Convention - By Marco Gorin

Recently T3 covered opinions on the recent TAAI conference in Istanbul from leading participants. I happened to be one of them.

In my view this was one of the most focused events the industry has seen in recent years. A powerful message for change was delivered by a very wide variety of contributors with backgrounds ranging from aviation to technology as well as tour operators, DMCs, governmental organizations and general industry commentators.

Live a Perfect Day - By Marco Gorin

"You cannot live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you"

- John Wooden

Whenever I have been making a donation I have always wondered how far it will go, what will it do, will it make a difference and if so how?

We have been hard at work with the Suthasinee Noi-in Foundation to establish and share some clear guidelines to help all who are interested in making a difference to the lives of the HIV+ orphans under its care, understand what difference their donations can make in the areas that REALLY do matter for the survival and future of the 100+ children we have now been working closely with and for over the past four years.

YOU can help CLOTHE, TEACH, FEED, NOURISH and HEAL the children and we hope this donation guide will help you better understand how much impact a simple donation can make to their lives.

"Only those who have learned the power of sincere and selfless contribution experience life's deepest joy: TRUE FULFILLMENT"

-Anthony Robbins

THANK YOU

VISIT: http://www.charitytrek2012.blogspot.in/

2012 Message of Appreciation from the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) - by Marco Gorin

Dear Marco,

Greetings from TAAI!

Thank you very much for your valuable support to the TAAI convention at Turkey. Your presence at the Convention and your presentation at the Business Session have been excellent values add for our Delegates.

It was not a surprise to see you do your presentation in such an effective manner. You have always held the fort well and Turkey was no exception. Thank you very much for your input on “T Drive your Tomorrow”. You have certainly hilighted the need for agencies to go tech savvy and change working patterns to remain in the lead. Thanks Marco.. for the wonderful way you delivered.

The spontaneous feedback clearly suggests that the Business Sessions, the Quality of Speakers and the relevance of subjects were hi-lights of the Convention. The Delegates took home some great learning and an insight into how they must shape up to encounter challenges that will confront them.

TAAI is ever grateful to you for your valuable time and for the splendid resource you were able to share with us. We are indeed honored by your participation.

Thank you once again, Marco. I am short of words to appropriately word our profound appreciation. It was once again a delight to have met you and heard you.

With warm regards

Sunil Kumar R

Hon. Secretary General 

Received by e-mail on March 18th, 2012

2012 Panelist on the Subject of Technology and Travel at the 60th Convention of the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) in Istanbul (Turkey) 11-14 March 2012 - by Marco Gorin

I was in Istanbul (Turkey) between 11th and 14th March 2012 to take part as a panelist in the 60th edition of the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) convention.

Never has the message requesting drastic change in the travel agency business model been so loud and clear and making it even more so was the fact that the line up of speakers over the course of the vent ranged widely to touch pretty much all of the various constituencies of the travel industry including Indian as well as external professionals.

2012 OTAs Endeavor to Provide 360 Degrees Service - by Marco Gorin

2012 Travelport Signs Full Content Agreement with Lufthansa - by Marco Gorin

2012 Travelport and SWISS Airlines Sign Content Agreement - by Marco Gorin

Rahul Bhatia wins E&Y Entrepreneur of the Year award - By Marco Gorin

Rahul Bhatia, group managing director of InterGlobe Enterprises, which owns low-cost carrier IndiGo as well as InterGlobe Technology Quotient (ITQ Pvt Ltd), was on recently named the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2011. Bhatia will represent the country at the Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur of the Year Award in Monte Carlo, Monaco, this year. 

I have had the honor and pleasure of being associated to Rahul Bhatia's organizations,in one way or another, for the past decade and believe that this award is absolutely and extremely well deserved. 

Charity Trek 2012 is Officially Off the Ground and Covered by Media - by Marco Gorin

I have always believed that dedicating oneself solely to the pursuit of commercial and / or professional goals is somewhat limiting. The same amount of passion and dedication that we put in daily at work can be equaled by   dedicating time and efforts to achieve more than improving the bottom line or achieve purely egotistic goals in one's life and career. A balance should be and can be found between achieving one's own goals and achieving  goals which can greatly benefit others who are not necessarily part of the immediate family / friends circles.

This is why in 2009 I started together with some like-minded people Charity Trek in support of HIV+ orphans under the care of the Suthasinee Noi-in Foundation in Thailand.

2012 will see the third edition which aims at reaching the top of Imja Tse at over 6,000 meters above sea level (21,000 ft) in the Khumbu region of Nepal as well as doubling the amount raised for the children at the Foundation in 2010.

For more information and to make a donation visit  http://www.charitytrek2012.blogspot.in/

2012 SmartPoint and Universal DeskTop by Travelport - By Marco Gorin

2012 is set to be the year when some of the cutting-edge technologies designed to truly revolutionize the industry will come into play. It is going to be another interesting year with some complex challenges and some large opportunities. 

This article provides an insight into Travelport GDS latest technology as well as some commentary from me as to how we plan to implement in the Indian market where change will need to be gradual towards new business models and platforms. 

2011 Travelport Galileo in India Voted as Best GDS for 2011 at the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) Diamond Jubilee and Awards Ceremony in Mumbai - By Marco Gorin

In December 2011 I participated to the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) Diamond Jubilee celebrations and Travel Awards ceremony on the grounds on the Taj Lands End Hotel in Mumbai.

We received the award as Best GDS in India for 2011. Like for the TTG award bestowed on Travelport only a month earlier, this award also is granted based on votes from the travel agents fraternity. The award being a testament to our hard work and dedication in the market.

I received the award on behalf of InterGlobe Technology Quotient from Sri Subodh Kant Sahay, Union Minister of Tourism and Mr Iqbal Mulla, President of TAAI on 16th December 2011.

2011 Travelport Wins the TTG Travel Awards in Best GDS Category for the Third Year in a Row - By Marco Gorin

In November 2011 I traveled to Bangkok (Thailand) to attend the ceremony awarding Travelport as the Best GDS in the Asia Pacific region for the third year in a row.

Given the fact that this award is given based on the votes cast by the travel agents community in the region, India played a very important role in securing a high number of votes to seal the verdict.

2011 ITQ and Taj Hotels Announce Exciting Joint Promotion on Travelport Galileo and Travelport Worldspan GDS Bookings for Travel Agents - By Marco Gorin

The focus on non-traditional GDS content (non-air) continues in the form of strategic partnerships and promotional activities with leading hoteliers in India.

This press release and article cover the roll out of a special promotion undertaken with Taj Hotels.

Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces is a worldwide chain of hotels and resorts. A part of the Tata Group, one of India's largest business conglomerates, Taj Hotels Resort and Palaces own and operate 76 hotels, 7 palaces, serviced apartments 6 private islands and 12 resorts and spas, spanning 52 destinations in 12 countries across 5 continents and employ over 13000 people. Besides India, Taj Hotels Resort and Palaces are located in the United States of America, England, Africa, the UAE, Maldives, Malaysia, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Australia.

Jamshetji Nusserwanji Tata , founder of the Tata Group, opened the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, the first Taj property, on December 16, 1903. He was inspired to open the grand luxury hotel after an incident involving racial discrimination at the Watson's Hotel in Mumbai, where he was refused entry as the hotel did not permit Indians. Hotels which accepted only European guests were common across British India. Jamsetji Tata traveled to London, Paris, Berlin and Dusseldorf to get the best materials and pieces of art, furniture and interior artifacts for his hotel. Due to its prime location, traditional architecture and massive size, this hotel soon gained the status of the most iconic hotel in India.

2011 Online Hotel Distribution: a Far Cry for Independent Hotels - By Marco Gorin

In 2011 my attention remained on the subject of better integration of independent hotels inventory onto the GDS platform for better and wider redistribution in the off-line and on-line space.

This interesting article features my comments on the subject.

2011 Looking back to 2010 and Looking Forward. Providing Expert Commentary to the Industry - By Marco Gorin

2011 Charity Trek 2010 Raises 11 Lakh for Orphaned Kids - By Marco Gorin

The beginning of 2011 marked the return to Yasothon in Thailand to visit the children at the Suthasinee Noi-in Foundation and deliver the much needed funds following the completion of the second edition of Charity Trek in 2010.

2010 Tragedy, Hardship and Triumph in the Himalayas - By Marco Gorin

Towards the end of 2010 we concluded the second edition of Charity Trek. It was harder than expected but the goal of doubling the amount of funds raised during the first edition in 2009 was achieved.

This article published by Travel Daily Asia provides a taste of the experience I had with my dear friend Steve Skilbeck.

2010 Galileo Empowers Agents with e-Pricing and Rail Content Solutions - By Marco Gorin

In 2010 I looked into various possibilities to expand the range of travel product inventory available locally through the GDS.

The travel industry space continues to remain highly fragmented. Domestic travel demand in India is growing phenomenally generating a great potential for a GDS platform to create new revenue lines through the distribution of non-traditional GDS content be it rail, hotels, travel insurance and any other relevant products and services.

An increased level of attention was also placed on fares search and display technology. This is a space where much greater inefficiencies can be reached at the travel agency level.

The above article features such activities and provides additional comment on the subject.

2010 Participating to ICON 2010 - By Marco Gorin

In 2010 I also continued to cultivate close relationships with prominent travel agency fraternities in India. Participation to annual conferences as a guest speaker specializing in travel distribution and travel technology; both areas of tremendous relevance to the travel agency community which is in the middle of a true revolution be it through consolidation forces operating in the market or by the intrinsic propensity of markets such as India to leap-frog evolutionary stages particularly thanks to and in the field of technology and its applications.

2010 IATO to Focus on Key Issues at its Annual Convention - By Marco Gorin

In 2010 I also turned my attention to pockets in the Indian travel industry which traditionally had not been touched by the GDS. Tour Operators, be it in-bound or out-bound / domestic or international were not exactly on the GDS radar screen as the potential and valuable business partners which the could well be.

Participating at events such as the yearly convention of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) in the capacity of travel technology specialist ensured that better bridges and better business could be built in that space resulting in mutual benefit for both the tour operators and the GDS.

2010 The Launch of the Second Edition of Charity Trek - By Marco Gorin

When the general public remains unaware and, worse, when governments turn a blind eye on the struggle and tribulations of little innocent lives it is up to us individuals to make a difference, to stand out, to stand up and shout "I CARE" and most importantly to do something about it!

In 2009 I received tremendous support from family, friends, business associates and total strangers. In 2009 something GREAT was started. Something which I know made some difference to the lives of the orphans at the foundation. Something that inspired many in many different ways.

In 2010 I was not alone. Friends Steve Skilbeck and Nicholas James joined me as active fund-raisers and members of a new challenge which saw  Steve and I along with other fellow trekker friends set out to reach Everest Base Camp and summit Kala Patthar (Black Rock) at 5,643 meters above sea level(18,514 ft) in the Nepalese Himalaya in November 2010.

2010 Update Knowledge of Travel & Tourism is Essential for the Teachers - By Marco Gorin

As part of my work I have been establishing better and closer bridges into the travel education sector. India is experiencing a massive gap between the demand for well trained travel professionals and the supply of the same.

All areas of travel and tourism in India are in dire need for trained staff and more attention needs to be given by both the government and the private sectors to ensure demand is met.

From a GDS perspective it is paramount to ensure that GDS training becomes part and parcel of the curriculum at established government and private institutes with the view to ensure a healthy supply of GDS-trained professionals able to support the fantastic growth the market is experiencing and will continue to experience in the years to come.

The media coverage above reflects my commitment to this area.

2010 Cathay Pacific Airways and Travelport Announce Five-Year Marketing Agreement - By Marco Gorin

Global full content deals between airlines and the GDS continue to play a vital role in ensuring the relevance of  the well established distribution channel. While the airlines are under pressure to modify some of the legacies in the system, the GDS continues to provide a formidable distribution platform.

The deal reached between Cathay Pacific and Travelport proved of significant relevance in the Indian travel market. In this article I provide some comment when the announcement was made.

2010 Kuoni Renews Deal with Travelport - By Marco Gorin

In 2010 the business relationship with Kuoni including their business arm in India is renewed.