TTI Summer Forum
Make the most of Analytics - 17 April 2012
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Presentations and photos now online
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Questions:
TTI (Travel Technology Initiative) is a European based organisation which is focused on improving standards and utilising technology to improve the way in which travel orgainisations conduct business with one another.
In consultation with its members, two questions are continually asked:
Thus the concept of TTIcodes was born as a method of providing a unique way of identifying a property across a multiplicity of channels, service providers, tour companies, representation companies and third parties involved in the booking, administration and fulfilment of travel within the hospitality industry.
Over 200,000 properties around the globe have already been assigned a unique 8-digit TTIcode.
TTIcodes is more than just the codes themselves; it is also the definitive listing of properties' core information (over 50% of the properties have a full definitive listing) such as name, address, postcode or zip code, contact number plus the primary brand/chain id to which each property belongs. Thus any property can be identified regardless of variant spellings, double listings, changes in trade names or business owners.
In addition, over 80,000 of t he properties have also been geo-coded, the majority (over 80%) to street or residency level. Approximately between 2 and 3 thousand properties are geo-coded every month by TTI's publishing partner GIATA GmbH.
As part of the TTIcodes commercial proposition, any subscriber to TTIcodes has access to the complete set of over 200,000 TTIcodes. GIATA, as part of the implementation process, will match a file of the subscriber's properties to the master TTIcodes database; research any properties that could not be automatically matched, adding any unmatched properties to the master TTIcodes database including its unique TTIcode, before returning the subscriber's file.
Note, a Hotel Group can be a subscriber to TTIcodes under a different agreement that has been specifically designed for an individual Hotel or a Hotel Group's participation in TTIcodes.
TTIcodes are flexible in that they can be used by any entity across the gambit of Travel Distribution. Hotels, for example, many find it easier in the billing fulfilment process or commission collection process. Equally, withing the distribution process they no longer need to know when a distribution channel chanes their id within their system or have multiple ids, the TTIcode acts as the common denominator.
From a distribution channel perspective they have a common identifier and base information about a hotel so no longer have to worry about internal system ids that are used by the properties.
The Goal is that everyone is talking about the same hotel as illustrated by the following diagrams:
1. Communication can cause confusion
2. Once the same code is used, communication becomes clearer
This is a question that is often asked, TTIcodes equally apply to the business travel sector, particularly with respect to tying together Management Information, as today bookings are made through a multiplicity of channels. The same principle would apply to collection of commission. TTIcodes will therefore be of use to the large Travel Agency Consortia in this respect.
Global Standard is very hard to define, but in terms of the question 'Will TTIcodes, along with the supporting information, become a common way through which different systems interact?' - the answer is yes. In this respect, TTIcodes is not just a unique identifier, it is an enabler that facilitates the interchange of data between travel entities using a common denominator.
Conversations have been held with all types of Travel Entities on how TTIcodes can be used to best advantage in their environment. For example, TTI is working closely with OpenTravel who are now integrating the TTIcodes flield into their standards. What we are seeing already is continual evolution and therefore we believe the value will only increase as we adapt the usage of TTIcodes and the supporting information to meet the needs of these different entities. 'Will the concept be expanded to other entities in the hospitality world?' - possibly. Sabre Germany already uses the basic product for its tour operator business as well as Traffics, a second German Distribution Switch & GDS for Tour Bookings.
Yes, you will be contracting with TTI's service partner GIATA GmbH. Contact Pete Hazel, UK Co-ordinator to receive a copy of the contract.
Email : enquiries@tticodes.org
Call: +44 1442 825 408
GIATA will send you an invoice along with instructions on how to provide a data file of your properties for matching and coding.
The invoice will include the initial set-up fee and the first year's subscription. Payment instructions will be on the invoice if you wish to pay by credit transfer.
On receipt of payment you will be activated on GIATA's TTI customer database. You will be provided with credentials through which to access the TTIcodes online utility plus you will be sent an electronic copy of the TTIcodes database as it currently stands.
Yes, you can upgrade your subscription at any time to one of the premium TTIcodes services. GIATA will upgrade your contract and invoice you accordingly.
Contact us on enquiries@tticodes.org with details of your question. If this can be answered simply we will email you, otherwise we will arrange a telephone/skype discussion.
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