WTM 2009 Turns the Spotlight on Technology, Online Travel

With the frantic pace of change that is happening in online travel, businesses face an uphill struggle to keep pace with so many new digital developments appearing on the scene.

This year World Travel Market has attracted more travel technology exhibitors than ever and is producing the most comprehensive program of conferences and seminars to help businesses get to grips with the latest from the digital world.

One of the key areas of rapid change is mobile technology, which World Travel Market has identified as potentially the most important new platform for the future of the travel industry.

The mobile has taken on far more significance for business travelers than just personal communications, it is a business tool. For instance, mobiles are being used to develop paperless travel by airlines like Lufthansa and British Airways. With 3 billion mobile users compared to 1.3 billion PC users in the world today, the age of the mobile has arrived.

This is largely due to the availability of mobile broadband which speeds up internet access. Google has paved the way by introducing Google Mobile which accelerates internet search speeds and has made the mobile a viable alternative to the PC for Internet browsing and email. The Google Travel Team will be presenting the latest from the Internet giant in their Travel Technology @ WTM seminar.

Mobile Technology in Travel takes place on Tuesday 11 November and is the first event of its kind for the travel industry. Leading travel and mobile brands will come together to outline how mobiles can make money with essential insights into the mobile space.

Among these will be speakers from Vodafone, Google, British Airways, Lufthansa, Sabre, Amadeus, Mobile Commerce and Mobile Travel Technologies. With over 3 billion mobile users worldwide compared to just PC 1.3 billion users, the mobile has come of age.