Industry is embracing e-commerce, says TFWE poll

Print Article E-Mail Article

The travel-retail industry has been praised by leading Internet expert Chuck Martin for being well ahead of other sectors in its acceptance of web technology.
Martin, an author, Internet analyst and president of the US-based Net Future Institute, was reacting to an interactive poll of delegates held during the TFWE Conference on their use of the web and how they have embraced the technology for their business.

An almost full house comprising retailers, suppliers, airport authorities and the media took active part in the instant electronic survey in which 75% of respondents recognised the importance of e-business to their operations. However a lower percentage, but still a significant number, had active initiatives planned for the Internet, indicating some uncertainty about what investment strategy to take.
Just over half the suppliers present (55%) said they would invest significantly in Internet initiatives over the next 12 months, with 45% accepting they would inject a conservative amount. The retail side reported 23% and 56% respectively.

"This is positive and extremely encouraging news," said Martin. "It shows the industry has got over behavioural problems. The industry is saying it has already invested in the Internet and is prepared to invest more, realising the competitive challenges it faces."
Asked how much business was conducted on the Internet, 92% of retailers said the figure was less than 10%, while 6% of respondents reported up to 25% Internet trade with end customers. But all suppliers present indicated all their transactions were via traditional means.
However, when asked about business in two years' time, 55% of retailers said they believed between 10% and 25% of their transactions would be completed over the Net. Suppliers reported that at least 25% of their business was expected to be conducted via the Internet.
"This shows that a lot of people in the industry are prepared to change as the Internet becomes more important," added Martin.
"You are all ahead in your thinking in the duty-free business compared with other industries in the world."