HOTEL & TOURISM SMARTreport #33

Editorial: TRAVEL & TOURISM INTELLIGENCE:
A DIFFERENT ANGLE OF ATTACK

At the recent ILTM show in Cannes, I had the chance to discuss at length with Virtuoso CEO & Chairman Matthew D. Upchurch. This was obviously interesting from several points of view. None the least was his clear explanation of the very “different” philosophy of his organisation – the essence of its success. Indeed, it’s a question of how to “process” intelligence (information) in the tourism sector.

In some way, at our very modest level, our own philosophy of “Information Intelligence” is along similar lines to this. Today, more than ever, there is too much information readily available to anyone at anytime. Access to the information is not a problem. Channelling it and understanding how to apply it is. Much like in the travel industry itself, the strength of a media such as this SMARTreport lies in having the right connections and sources, and knowing how and when to use them, with a rm understanding of how our readers want or need to use the information, so I would like to think we’re perhaps on a wavelength with Mr Upchurch! Virtuoso has the brilliant approach of understanding that the agent’s role is not to know everything about the places, but to get the right “intel” through an unparalleled network of in-the- eld contacts. We are thus proud today to spotlight the “man at the helm” of this organisation that has it “worked out”.

In this issue, we look back at an exceptional ILTM Cannes, bringing you key news and highlights. We also look at the increasingly lucrative high- end wedding tourism market, and in our regional spotlight, we look at developments in Europe.

Our innovations and technologies section spotlights the Internet of Things, and how this is changing the face of hospitality. We also examine the onset of artificial intelligence in the guestroom… All in all, we trust that the “information intelligence” in this issue will help guide you on your way to a brilliant 2017!

• Richard Barnes – Editor-in-Chief