Mr. Jeet Sawhney : We are deploying world-class technology at India’s major travel technology brands and are also developing the second tier agencies so that they can expand across the spectrum or develop their niche focus. Abacus technology is end-to-end, multi-platform and scalable so that it works in every commercial setting. It is designed to optimize workflows.

Essentially, we help travel operators attract new customers and build their business with superior point-of-sale, mid and back-office solutions.

Major customers in India include Kuoni, Cox and Kings, Wipro Travel, Via.com and Akbar, though our footprint extends into 31 markets across the region, with Abacus deployed at over 20,000 travel agency locations.

Mr. Jeet Sawhney : There are 33 airlines that currently operate from this airport, of which 26 are international airlines (including 7 freighters), 7 are domestic airlines (including one freighter). The airport handles over 35,000 passengers per day with an average of 319 air traffic movements per day. It’s also a sign that this is an airport of choice for domestic and international travellers.

Mr. Jeet Sawhney : India was one of the earliest markets in which Abacus invested, to develop the fundamental technology that would serve and would clearly become a powerful force in terms of the global travel industry.

Mr. Jeet Sawhney : We are at the leading edge of the industry in Asia Pacific, we have invested over $200 million in R&D and our innovative technology. The influence we have is in sharing best practice, from the accumulated learning of 26 years and our deployment at over 20,000 travel agency locations around the region.

An example is in the area of cross-selling and upselling, with the technology making it easier with the result that we help strengthen agents’ yields and bottom lines. While we are focused on the development of opportunities in India’s aviation and hospitality sectors in particular to serve our agency customers, there is no doubt that our role as the leader travel technology provider in Asia/Pacific will strengthen the industry here. To give a sense of the scale of demand managed by Abacus now, we process 30 million searches for flights and hotels every day with partners interested in developing markets of all types in India. The breakthrough with our licensing by the Civil Aviation Authority of China to operate as a foreign GDS on the mainland is the beginning of something major that will positively impact India too, given the powerful economic links between the two nations.

On the question of innovation, we are incubating new products designed for travel professionals in this part of the world and we look forward to sharing news of those during the course of this year.

With the solutions and services offered by Abacus, our aim is to help agencies increase their revenue; reduce costs while enhancing their productivity. Abacus’ focus in 2014 on Front and Mid office solutions like Abacus WorkSpace, Abacus WorkLite and Abacus TicketingExpress enhances agency efficiency and helps control on their workflow.

Mr. Jeet Sawhney : 39% of Indian business travellers are now making travel arrangements including bookings via mobile devices while on the move. It’s a huge opportunity for travel and tourism practitioners and something we can help them with.

Abacus TripCase is a free smart mobile travel itinerary application that helps travellers to manage trip details in a single itinerary. With automatic syncing itinerary updates, up-to-the-minute flight notifications and trip-specific message, users are alerted and updated with the latest information.

We’ve also just launched Abacus TripAlert, matching early warning content on global incidents affectingtravel against local PNRs (bookings) two days ahead of departure and in-trip. Abacus agents using Abacus TripAlert can ensure travellers avoid the disruption or get out of harm’s way, before their options narrow. This is a very direct link with the customer and a service concerned with their care.