"Asia is ready for mobile travel": Mobile Travel Technologies' Gerry Samuels

Travel Distribution Asia Special: By EFT Correspondent in Singapore
   
As mobile phones emerge as a valuable channel for travel servicing and
reservations, Mobile Travel Technologies (MTT) is gearing up to power the
leading mobile travel services in Asia.

As part of its expansion plans, MTT recently appointed Soren Langelund as
regional director - Asia.
   
"This appointment heralds a major expansion for MTT in Asia. Soren will work
out of the Singapore office. We shall shortly be launching services for a
number of clients in the region, including a range of MTT-powered mobile
services for the Asian client hotels of an MTT partner," said Gerry Samuels,
founder and  executive director, Mobile Travel Technologies.
   
Specifically on the readiness of the market, Samuels said, "We believe that
Asia is ready for mobile travel. In 2007 the number of mobile subscribers in
Asia will exceed one billion people, representing around one third of the
region's population. Subscriber numbers are growing by 20 percent per annum.
Most of these mobile subscribers use SMS and increasingly also use Internet
access via the standard mobile internet browsers incorporated on mobile
phones."
   
He added, "By licencing MTT's M2B mobile travel technology platform to power
their mobile services, Asia's airlines, hotel groups and travel intermediaries
can enable their customers to make new bookings and self-manage existing
reservations via SMS, via the browsers on their mobile phones or via a
downloadable mobile application. This provides a highly convenient service when
users are on-the-go or have no access to an internet-connected PC. "Online"
travel is no longer just for PC Internet users."
   
On how MTT is an advantageous position to leverage its expertise in Asia,
Samuels referred to  management team extensive experience in Asia.
   
Talking about Soren, who has more than 25 years experience in the travel
industry and launched OctopusTravel.com's operations across the region, Samuels
said, "In 2004 Soren joined OctopusTravel.com, the leading online hotel
intermediary, as executive director Asia. Based in Hong Kong, he launched
successful operations in seven Asia markets and established business
partnerships with the region's airlines and hotel groups. MTT's senior
management also includes individuals with a highly successful track record
developing internet booking engines for many leading travel suppliers including
airlines across Asia. So we have an ideal team in place that understands the
market."
   
He added that technically the company's M2B platform is designed to meet
diverse local requirements across Asia, such as working on virtually all mobile
phones and devices, across virtually all Asian mobile operator networks, and
supporting multi-language, -character and -currency.