Galileo International and Gullivers Travel Associates (gta), both travel services companies and subsidiaries of Cendant Corporation held a Travel Industry Forum for leaders from Taiwan’s Travel Agency community, which focused on solutions that travel agents can use to grow their business.

The organization of this kind of forum further demonstrates the commitment Galileo and gta have to shaping the travel industry in the Asia region by creating opportunities for innovative ideas to be shared amongst industry leaders. The staging of the forum follows the recently announced marketing partnership developed between Cendant and Eastern Multimedia Group (EMG), a business conglomerate with interests in media, shopping, travel and entertainment.

Held at the Westin Hotel in Taipei, Taiwan, the event themed “Unlock the Potential” attracted over 100 invited guests, including senior executives from the travel industry,. Attendees benefited by participating in a travel industry forum which focused on enhancing their awareness of generating revenue streams and increasing opportunities through new sales channels.

Opening remarks were delivered by Ms. Brenda Tang, General Manager, Galileo Taiwan and Ms. Jennie Chien, General Manager, gta Taiwan, followed by a keynote address titled: ‘The Taiwan Travel Industry in the Next 10 Years,’ delivered by Mr. Steven T.Y. Kuo Su, Deputy Director General, Tourism Bureau, Ministry of Transport & Communications (MOTC).

During the half day seminar, two panel discussions were featured titled ‘Generating New Revenue Streams from New Destination Content’ and ‘Enabling Sales Opportunities through New Sales and Technology Channels’.

The event received great support and participation from members of the travel industry including Taiwan’s MOTC, the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Tourism New Zealand, the Central America Trade Office, Thailand Tourism Division, RCI Asia and Central Insurance.

Also participating in the half day event was senior management representing Cendant TDS Asia including Mr. Marco Gorin, Market Development Director, and Mr. George Harb, Marketing Director.

“We are excited to participate in the “Unlock the Potential” forum, since this is the first of its kind in Taiwan. It is a great opportunity for us to interact with our professional travel counterparts from the local industry and other countries, since it helps us to explore new ways of doing business,” stated Ms. Sophie Weng, Manager Taiwan, Maison de la France.

“The collaboration among prominent members of the travel industry is crucial for being able to boost tourism in Asia and we welcome the initiative from Galileo and gta to organize such a forum, so that we can have an open discussion about industry issues and a candid exchange of ideas,” echoed Mr. Jackson Lin, General Manager, Delta Airlines.

Ms. Brenda Tang, Galileo’s General Manager, Taiwan stated “By utilizing the forum approach, Galileo and gta executives are provided an opportunity to meet with senior executives from the travel industry, key personnel from travel agencies and other travel organizations in an open and candid forum to exchange information and ideas regarding industry initiatives and developments as well as new technology and product/service offerings.”

And Ms. Jennie Chien, General Manager, gta Taiwan, commented that “Such a meeting format is another example of our continued drive to listen to our customers and deliver services that aim to improve operation efficiency, as well as open up new revenue streams for our travel agents,” she concluded.