Augusto Vasconcelos
Abílio Pereira
António Loureiro
Managing director of Travelport
He is on the crest of a wave called tourism, as head of Travelport, a travel commerce platform. He has seen the sector evolve at an almost dizzying pace, with digital technologies playing a key role in this growth. He says that tourism is increasingly a commodity, making travel an everyday activity around the globe. A large part of our lives is therefore down to the work and innovation of people like António Loureiro. He does not fail to choose Portugal as his favorite destination, however.
What is the secret behind a company being successful for 25 years, taking into account being in a sector as dynamic as the one in which Travelport operates?
Having a highly professional and highly motivated team. Upholding a close relationship with your customers, which allows you to anticipate needs. Constantly innovating and providing local solutions, often adopted by the entire Travelport organisation.
What are the main tourism trends today?
It is becoming increasingly commplace and a real commodity. More people are travelling, aided by a growth of the entire economic activity surrounding it, connecting more and more points, making tourism affordable and more frequent.
«As the main economic driving force, tourism in Portugal has to grow and in a sustained manner»
Can tourism still grow in Portugal?
As the main economic driving force, tourism in Portugal has to grow and in a sustained manner. It is not true when we say that we grow because others have had problems. Portugal grew because it knew how to effectively communicate and connect narratives with the facts, offering unique ‘experiences’, provided by our utmost natural quality, the friendliness and rich history of coexisting with people of all nations. Now, we can not look only at those coming to visit us; domestic tourism has made a huge step forward and we have to create special conditions adapted to each profile of Portuguese tourist. Of course we have our usual ‘decision-freeze’ challenges to overcome. Some are just strange because of the speed with which we develop them, as if we had numerous alternatives and time available.
How have digital technologies changed tourism?
In every single way that you could ever possibly think of! From replicating the experiences of the destination in a virtual format, ensuring mobility and portability of all information, to the real-time monitoring and publication of all manner of possible emotions. If we look at how much we have evolved over the last ten years, we can consign, for example, the electronic ticket to the ‘Jurassic’ period.
Do you have any favorite travel destinations?
Of course, and the more I travel, which is often, the more I become a fan of my own country. I’d just change the water temperature... very cold for most of the year, except for the Algarve in the summer, of course.
