Bridging Gaps and Building Connections: Verteil’s Successful Breakfast Meet in Nairobi
On June 13, 2024, Verteil Technologies hosted an exclusive breakfast meet at the Jacaranda Hotel in Nairobi, marking a significant step in our commitment to fostering a deeper adoption of New Distribution Capability (NDC) in the travel industry. This interactive session was designed to address the industry’s questions surrounding NDC, and it saw active participation from airlines, the Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA), and 57 esteemed travel agencies from across the region.
Setting the Stage for Transformation
The event opened with a warm welcome to our guests in the elegant Karume room of the Jacaranda Hotel. This gathering aimed to demystify NDC, an innovative XML-based data transmission standard launched by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to modernize the way air products are retailed to travel agents, corporations, and travelers. We were delighted to have a robust turnout, underscoring the industry’s growing interest in understanding and adopting NDC.
The morning's session was led by Verteil’s leadership team, including Jerrin Jos (Co-founder and CEO), Satheesh Satchit (Co-founder & CPO), Nevin John Perumana (CTO), Abdul Bijur (Chief Growth Officer), Alfred M. Mwalili (Senior Director of Sales, East Africa), and Jyoti C (Key Accounts Manager). They collectively set the stage with an engaging overview of NDC’s potential to revolutionize travel distribution. Their presentations and discussions emphasized how NDC is more than just a technological advancement—it represents a significant transformation that empowers travel agencies with access to a broader range of airline content, including ancillaries, real-time offers, and personalized services. Further, this curated meeting allowed us to have one-on-one discussions to resolve any challenges individual agencies may be facing.
Interactive Sessions with Industry Experts
A key highlight of the breakfast meeting was the interactive session that followed. Representatives from Kenya Airways, Air France-KLM, Lufthansa, and Indigo joined our team to engage directly with the attendees. This collaborative approach provided a platform for travel agents to voice their queries, and receive firsthand responses from the airline’s NDC champions while Verteil was able to showcase how our solutions can resolve issues and create even greater revenue-generating opportunities.
Questions ranged from the technical aspects of integrating NDC into existing systems to the tangible benefits that agencies can expect in terms of enhanced service offerings and increased revenue opportunities. The presence of these leading airlines not only added depth to the discussions but also reinforced the collective commitment to the NDC transition.
Accelerating Adoption with Mature NDC Systems
Throughout the session, we tackled various misconceptions about NDC by showcasing the extent to which NDC systems have matured. Our live demonstrations of Verteil’s Direct Connect solutions showcased the transparency and efficiency that NDC brings to travel transactions. The attendees were particularly interested in how our platform streamlines fare searches, bookings, and access to exclusive airline deals, making it a powerful tool for enhancing their service capabilities.
One of the main points of discussion was how NDC helps in providing a seamless and more personalized travel experience. We demonstrated how our system allows travel agencies to access the same content and offers available on airlines' direct channels, thus enabling them to compete more effectively in the market.
A Collective Push Towards Innovation
Verteil’s role as a facilitator in this NDC revolution was evident. We emphasized our commitment to going the extra mile to ensure our partners in the travel industry have the support and tools they need to navigate the shift to NDC. Our team worked diligently to address each query, provide detailed explanations, encourage NDC adoption, and share success stories of agencies from various regions that have already benefited from adopting NDC.
The event also served as a testament to our growing presence in the region. By organizing this exclusive meet, Verteil underscored its dedication to being a reliable partner for travel agencies and airlines alike, driving the adoption of NDC and enabling a more dynamic and responsive travel distribution ecosystem.
Expressing Our Gratitude
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all the attendees for making this event a success. Your engagement and feedback are invaluable as we continue to refine our solutions and expand our reach. A special note of appreciation goes out to the Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA), Kenya Airways, Qatar Airways, Air France KLM, and Lufthansa for their unwavering support and for facilitating an environment conducive to open dialogue and collaboration.
We are also immensely grateful to the airline partners who joined us, bringing their expertise and perspectives to the table. Their participation not only enriched the discussions but also demonstrated the unified effort within the industry to embrace NDC and its benefits. Furthermore, the participation of their NDC Champions helped convince the market of the true maturity of NDC systems.
Looking Ahead
The breakfast meet in Nairobi was more than just an event; it was a significant milestone in our journey to champion NDC. It reinforced our belief that the future of travel distribution lies in the capabilities that NDC unlocks—enhanced flexibility, personalized offerings, and a more competitive market landscape.
As we look forward, Verteil remains committed to supporting our partners through this transition, offering cutting-edge solutions, and ensuring that the travel agencies and airlines we work with can fully leverage the potential of NDC. We are excited about the road ahead and look forward to continuing our work together to transform the travel industry for the better.
