Marrakech-Safi tourism professionals discussed it
Five recommendations were retained at the end of the day of reflection organized by the Regional Association of Travel Agencies of Marrakech-Safi. Held on Wednesday January 25, 2016, this meeting provided an opportunity to take stock of the issues that threaten the activity of travel agencies. In order to combat disintermediation, travel agencies in the region are calling for intelligent professionalism both in terms of offer and service. In this sense, professionals focus on quality which, according to them, is a criterion of choice for the customer. “Professionals from each region will have the task of proposing product offers based on experiences to be had and in relation to the specificity of the region: cultural, seaside, nature, sports, leisure, discoveries, families and others”, recommend the travel agents of Marrakech-Safi in this sense. And to specify that “the notion of brand is essential”.
The digitalization of services has also been at the heart of professionals’ thinking. In this sense, they called for taking advantage of technological advances in order to meet consumer expectations both in terms of supply and demand. The need is to invest in the acquisition of a digital platform allowing all stakeholders to negotiate their services in real time and provide them via a national portal. The latter should also be available in regional portals, equipped with applications for smartphones and tablets. The issue of Uberization was also debated.
For the travel agents who took part in the meeting, Uberization is not a threat. “It is rather an opportunity which must be used in the quality of service which meets customer expectations in all respects”, we note from the speakers. Participants in the brainstorming meeting also invited the Moroccan National Tourism Office (ONMT) to support them in their fight against disintermediation.
“The ONMT will then have to promote across all the source basins with air offers highlighting the experiences to be had in Morocco”, they underline. And to add that “this promotion must make maximum use of social networks, bloggers, online media, advertorials and other means of communication which must all refer to the national portal”. Remember that this meeting saw the participation of around a hundred players including travel agents, hoteliers, guides and restaurateurs all concerned by the phenomenon of disintermediation which impacts their business model and causes them to lose market share.
Source: http://jourhui.ma/economie/desintermediation-ce-que-recommandent-les-agents-de-voyages
