Happy Christmas 2008!!!!!

Despite the gloom and doom forcast for the economy next year promises to be a VERY exciting one for Mach Associates.  Keep watching this blog for announcements of yet more innovate features for our MARS software early in 2009.

Best regards to all.

From Richard Bristow and team

With more and more problems appearing with regard to fiscal safety in the UK travel industry, I think the answer is for more emphasis on Tour Operators providing Dynamic Packaging for the trade and direct customers alike!

The CAA appears to be finally cracking down on ATOL misuse and  questions are again being asked about 'when is a package not a package' and do travel agents who put together Dynamic Packages for customers become a provider and therefore need an expensive ATOL license? Hence my suggestion; why not go back to the old tried and tested method - a tour operator provides the flexibile Dynamic Packages that customers want and provide the financial security of their ATOL and ABTA bonding. The travel agent distribution channel has the commission they need without having to invest in the layers of technology they currently do and so can improve their margins by being more efficient while the tour operator gains considerable volume. Everyone wins; customers get the products and financial protection they demand and the trade gets the growth it needs to survive.

All that is need is the technology!!  That's where Mach Associates come in with our MARS software that provides links to an ever increasing number of suppliers so tour operators do not need to maintain expensive contracts and allocations (apart from core business of course) they can simply link Bed bank accommodation (hotels, villas, apartments) with Car Rental, Air bookings (GDS and Low Cost Carriers) or Ferries and rail to resort services like transfers and city tours and you have a Dynamic Package. All of which can be booked online.

Affilate software within MARS gives distribution to B2B sites so that larger Travel Agency consortia can maintain Brand Idenity by booking through their own websites and making a healthy commission.

I think it works despite what some of our competitors say (the ones with old legacy software, probably).

Some ground breaking news will be announced by Mach Associates soon watch - this space!!

Hi Folks

Having attended last weeks ABTOF AGM I thought I would share my thoughts with the outside world!

It was an excellent event. The Annual General Meeting itself was informative and very useful from a members point of view. The lunch (not forgetting the wine tasting) and the afternoon workshop were excellent network opportunities. In many ways it is a much better platform for me to tell potental tour operator customers about our MARS reservation software than for example WTM.

Because Mach Associates offer Ferry, Eurotunnel, Eurostar and air bookings live and online as part of MARS, ABTOF is a very good potential source of new custom for us.

Thanks to Martyn and colleagues for their usual excellent organisation!

With the current financial problems facing the economy, tour operators have a real opportunity to start a resurgence in selling package holidays! Following the XL leisure Groups demise last week the question of protecting customers payments in the event of an operator going out of business has become a major issue facing the travel industry.

Dynamic Packages from tour operators using our award winning MARS reservations software provide 'lower' cost transport options from suppliers like airlines, rail and ferry operators combined with the operators ground arrangements - Hotels, transfers, resort services etc - giving one protected pacakage. This provides the customer with the cost saving they are looking for plus the financial protection they demand whilst at the same time protecting the operators margin! Everyones a winner!!!!

MARS uses the latest technology to be able to handle the most complex holiday products in a simple and easy to use manner.  Clients can book via your call centres or online. using MARS dynamic packaging will allow you to maximise your call conversion rates and website 'look to book' ratios. 

MARS gives tour operators minimal cost of change because unlike other software suppliers because our application is a rental - no big capital expenditure just a one off start up fee and monthly rentals, your financial director will love it!!!

Join the booking revolution

Dynamically Packaged Holidays - Tour Operators using MARS can now combine their customers need for a good price and flexibility together with the security of transfers, accommodation and resort services.  MARS can book Low Cost Flights (or scheduled air or Ferry - come to that) plus ground arrangements.

The customer gets what they want and Travel Agents can get commission while giving valuably service to their customers and avoiding the time trouble and effort of using the Agent Dynamic Package systems.

Change the way you sell!

for more information see my blog of October 2007 and these URL's

www.machassociates.com/PressReleases/PR_20080130.aspx

or see a customer site

www.skiweekends.com

Mach Associates have signed a deal with Travco to provide access to their Bed Bank for all users of the MARS Tour Management System.  When the connect is available (very shortly) the first user will be Dertour.

The link to Travco will add over 4000 worldwide properties that will be bookable directly through MARS. This is in addition to the existing links to GTA and HOTELCONNECT.  MARS is able to search users accommodation allocation and search all three bed banks to offer the lowest price and last room availability to call centre’s and online.  When combined with Tour Operators own transfer and resort services and transport options - Air, Sea or Rail - it adds up to real Dynamic Packaging capability.

On line Travel Agents can of course use the same facilities to book their own Dynamic Packages using transfers etc from additional suppliers.

contact us for more details on this outstandingly powerful software feature.

On behalf of Mach Associates I would like to wish all our friends and colleagues and customers a merry christmas and a very happy new year.

Here's to the expanded use of technology in the travel industry. Lets move forward to improve efficiency and lower costs in 2008 towards bigger margins and profits.