Founded in 1994, AVIAREPS has emerged as one of the most respected name in Aviation and Destinations Sales & Marketing giving clients market access all over the world. As it celebrates its 30 years of operation, the apex travel and tourism marketing body runs a network of 69 offices in 65 countries globally. Edgar Lacker, CEO, AVIAREPS, in an exclusive chat with Travel Trends Today (T3)
AVIAREPS came to life as a solution for airlines, destinations, and hospitality brands to efficiently expand their product and reach into global markets, and by now we have grown to a wide variety of business fields, including mobility, lifestyle, retail, tourism attractions, trade promotion, and food and beverage – Edgar Lacker
Talk in brief about AVIAREPS’ THREE decades of journey and its contribution to global travel and tourism.
AVIAREPS was founded by Michael Gaebler in 1994 in Munich with the ambition of helping airlines and destinations grow their business and providing them with immediate market access. Today, we proudly run a network of 69 offices in 65 countries and are entrusted with and act on behalf of an increasing number of brands. AVIAREPS came to life as a solution for airlines, destinations, and hospitality brands to efficiently expand their product and reach into global markets, and by now we have grown to a wide variety of business fields, including mobility, lifestyle, retail, tourism attractions, trade promotion, and food and beverage.
We are proud to be the global leader in airline, tourism and hospitality sales and marketing representation and to actively influence, develop, and shape tourism, aviation and hospitality trends, demand and spend. 30 years after its foundation, AVIAREPS continues to follow its mission: Bringing people to the world and the world to the people!
Is there any strategic move to celebrate AVIAREPS’ three decades of growth and expansion?
It’s always been our aim to offer a 360° service portfolio to our clients and to provide them with market access all over the world. We will follow our path of the past 30 years and continue to grow our global office network and diversify our service and industry portfolio. Our plans include expanding the AVIAREPS network, e.g. in Africa, and offering GSA services to more cargo clients.
Additionally, we launched our travel platform SmoothTravel in cooperation with the Shanghai Government to seamlessly link international travel businesses with the thriving Chinese travel market. Smooth Travel serves as a gateway for the global travel industry to connect with both inbound and outbound Chinese travel agencies, tour wholesalers, online travel agencies and MICE agents in the East China market. We are proud to bring this platform, which revolutionizes the way the global travel industry engages with the Chinese market and redefines collaboration and connectivity, to life in the year of our 30th company anniversary.
As a birthday gift to ourselves, we have launched a brand-new, modern and interactive aviareps.com website that perfectly represents what AVIAREPS stands for: innovation, growth, excellence and inspiration.
Based on your THREE decades of deep industry insights, how do you see global travel and tourism evolving in the coming years?
In the coming years, global travel will evolve with a focus on sustainability, driven by consumer demand. Long-term sustainability is crucial for both tourism and aviation, as travelers are increasingly seeking eco-friendly options, from accommodations to transportation, and are more inclined to support destinations that prioritize sustainability. Digitalization is revolutionizing the travel experience, offering easier, quicker booking options right from our phones and on the go.
Moreover, there’s a growing demand for tailor-made, authentic travel experiences and niche tourism destinations. Travelers are seeking out unique cultural experiences, off-the-beaten-path adventures, and opportunities to engage with local communities, driving the growth of niche tourism markets. Simultaneously, the exclusive and luxury travel segment is seeing substantial growth. Travelers are willing to invest in premium experiences, seeking exclusivity and indulgence in their journeys. The concept of bleisure travel, combining business and leisure trips, is also gaining traction. More professionals are extending their business trips to include leisure activities, turning work-related travel into opportunities for relaxation and exploration.
In essence, the future of global travel and tourism will be defined by sustainability, technological innovation, personalized experiences, and a diverse range of offerings catering to evolving consumer preferences and lifestyles.
