Leading United Arab Emirates-inbound travel and MICE specialist The Vision Destination Management has inked a deal with Dubai-based travel technology pioneer Illusions for a solution, backed by a client support service, it believes are unrivalled in the region’s marketplace.

The Vision’s chairman, Ali Abu Monassar, explained how he was not only wooed by Illusions’ cutting-edge technology, which unlike other solutions, has been built with the region’s travel industry idiosyncrasies in mind, but also the company’s partnership approach to its customers.

“We are not just purchasing a system; we are buying the after-sales service,” explained Monassar.

“I believe Illusions has great operations and tech teams in place that will support and help us now and in the future.

“This is an ongoing partnership.”

But Monassar is no stranger to the Illusions system.

The travel industry stalwart, who has been running UAE-based DMCs for more than 20 years, was one of the travel technology company’s first customers when he was running his previous company, Net Tours.

“Since then, the system has reached even higher levels of sophistication given Illusions has worked closely with DMCs in the UAE for many years now,” added Monassar.

“The company’s experience and expertise has led to the creation of an advanced solution that without doubt, is the only such system that meets the region’s exact requirements.

“In Dubai, for example, the hotel rates can change daily due to factors such as promotions, offers, stop sells and upgrades, requiring a solution built specifically to cope with these market conditions.

“In this respect, only Illusions can do the job.”

The Vision has signed up to Illusions’ Enterprise edition, which will automate, integrate and centralise most aspects of the DMC’s operations to include product management, hotel and travel services contracting, client profiles, tariff rules and notifications, client and supplier documentation, accounts receivables and accounts payables, invoicing logistics and planning modules, as well as B2B booking engines.

It means The Vision’s trade partners will have online access to all of the DMC’s leisure products, including hotels, excursions, visas, car rental and transfers 24 hours a day, seven days a week, enabling them to check availability and pricing and make reservations in real time.

Monassar said the solution will also provide key clients, primarily in Europe, with the XML interface and White Label capabilities they are currently demanding.

Illusions chief executive Faisal Memon joins The Vision’s chairman Ali Abu Monassar at Arabian Travel Market 2014

Once the The Vision goes live with the Enterprise solution later this month, the next step is to adapt it to take into account the firm’s fast-growing MICE business, revealed Monassar.

“We will work with Illusions to add in our MICE product where possible,” he added.

Illusions chief executive Faisal Memon believes the firm’s deal with The Vision proves the technology firm’s off-the-shelf packages are hitting the spot when it comes to dealing with the complexities of the region’s travel industry.

“We understand better than any other travel technology specialist how the market works and what DMCs operating in this environment require in order to run their businesses efficiently and profitably,” he said.

“From providing real-time online booking capabilities for B2B clients to automating a wide range of back-office functions, from product management to accounting, Illusions really is a solution like no other.

“Partnering with an industry heavyweight such as Ali Abu Monassar gives Illusions extra kudos and also further cements our status as the UAE’s preferred travel technology provider.”

Memon also stresses that as soon as The Vision’s Enterprise solution goes live, the travel firm’s entire FIT product range will be automatically made available on Illusions’ new travel distribution portal known as the World Travel eXchange (iWTX).

“So The Vision’s products and services will be distributed to an enviable list of travel firms spanning all four corners of the globe,” confirmed Memon.

Monassar added he hopes iWTX fosters strong inter-trade partnerships and provides The Vision with access to allocations of competing DMCs when inventory is in short supply.

“In Dubai there is no longer an off-peak or shoulder season; the hotels are full year-round, with conference business filling the gaps there used to be, particularly during the summer.

“If iWTX gives us access to more hotels and more rooms, even if we have to sell at higher rates, that’s a key benefit.

“We will definitely explore the possibilities of this system from a sales and marketing perspective, as we look to promote The Vision through all channels available,” concluded Monassar.

More Information

Illusions Online is recognised as the Middle East’s Leading Travel Technology Provider by the World Travel Awards.

Head over to the official website for more information.