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GuestLogix Inc. launched its new global merchandising service, OnTouch. GuestLogix’ new service brings the world’s leading brands and airlines together to offer convenient tickets, shopping and more onboard, delivering a new experience in air travel, while also driving new profitable revenues for airlines and additional income for flight attendants. Powered by GuestLogix’ popular Mobile Virtual Store onboard transaction platform, OnTouch enables in-flight merchandising, free of inventory hassles and the associated fuel consumption costs. OnTouch is now live with several of its services available on a leading global carrier.
OnTouch is designed to let passengers get more out of their trip by making it as effortless as possible to access the things that make travel so infinitely rewarding. Airlines can ‘mix and match’ five programs that offer unique customer value propositions and drive deeper passenger engagement:
1. OnTouch Box Office – In-flight offerings of theatre, concert, theme park and attractions tickets purchased in the air;
2. OnTouch Ground Connections – In-flight offerings of airport transfers via taxi, bus, train, limo and more for a destination city;
3. OnTouch Shopping & More – In-flight catalogue sales with home and/or destination delivery in a variety of product categories;
4. OnTouch Minutes on the Go – In-flight offerings of prepaid phone cards, phone top-ups, rentals, and web connections; and
5. OnTouch Concierge Everywhere – Personal itinerary management and destination-based travel updates and offers via mobile SMS and email.
Nearly two years in development, GuestLogix worked with Canada’s Cossette Communications Group (TSX: KOS) to coordinate global market research and branding for OnTouch. Research confirmed that at least 50% of the world’s airline passengers would purchase the services provided through OnTouch if the onboard experience was convenient, made good use of their time, and made them feel privileged. The companies broadened the scope of OnTouch to extend airline revenue reach without requiring operators to carry or manage any physical inventory which became a factor in the positive reception by many GuestLogix airline partners.
“We are thrilled to have OnTouch ready for immediate implementation by our airline customers,” said Tom Douramakos, GuestLogix President and CEO. “We’ve designed OnTouch with our airline customers’ needs in mind, to allow them to offer unique products and services that can be customized to meet their specific marketing requirements, realize the full potential of their brand, and all the while building a profitable and loyal relationship with their passengers.”
OnTouch will have global appeal and will take into consideration each key focus city that GuestLogix’ airline customers serve. With the GuestLogix Mobile Virtual Store technology currently contracted to serve over 90% of the North American passenger trips and 50% of the European trips, OnTouch is extraordinarily positioned to become the de facto standard in-flight merchandising program in the industry. For branded product and service suppliers, OnTouch provides the most cost effective and rewarding distribution channel that reaches the largest community of buyers in the world. The combination of the GuestLogix transaction and merchandising platforms provides, for the first time in the industry, airlines and merchandisers with the capability to quickly create onboard stores to serve these affluent customers.
Managing Director of Global Onboard Merchandising for GuestLogix, Chris Gardner said, “We’re aiming to have OnTouch services address the fifty busiest airport cities in the world.” Offerings in New York City, Las Vegas, Orlando, Toronto, London, Paris and other major cities have already garnered the ovation of airline partners, product and service providers and industry experts. GuestLogix is also working on opening the OnTouch platform to partners in Singapore and Hong Kong. “With a customer footprint like ours, we knew that our program had to be extensive at the outset and the response to-date from our airline customers has been overwhelming.”
“In today’s volatile economic environment, consumers are cutting back on expenditure and there is a greater need for travel providers to emphasise areas such as customer service and value-add options to retain customer loyalty,” said John Devins, Director, GuestLogix Asia Pacific. “We’re very pleased to launch OnTouch, which will be able to help airlines cater to these evolving needs and ultimately change the face of air travel.”
“Asia Pacific is one of the world’s most robust economies and most popular tourism destinations, and sees a heavy traffic flow of both inbound and outbound travellers every year. OnTouch will not only be able to create a revolution in the onboard experience, but also continue to fuel growing travel demand within the region,” Devins added.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
