Victor McKenna joined Escalabeds five years ago, a company that has been in the travel business for over 40 years.
Escalabeds is a reliable and competitive distribution channel that helps hotels reduce global dependence on B2B through today's major market leaders, while ensuring the integrity and respect of the hotel business model.
In this interview, Victor explains us about the recovery of the sector after the covid pandemic, the reopening of borders, mainly the Asian ones, as a great opportunity for the sector.
Tell us a bit about you, what you do and your company.
Well, I´m Victor R. Mckenna, current Head of Sales for Escalabeds Group. I joined this project almost 5 years ago when I came back to Palma from my long adventure in my mother’s land, Scotland. Looking back, unbelievable all the global events and situations that happened in this period....an amazing, excited and bumpy journey. Regarding Escalabeds, with Over 40 years in travel business, Escalabeds is a reliable and competitive distribution channel that helps the Hotels to reduce worldwide B2B dependency through large current market leaders, while ensuring integrity and respect of the hotel commercial model. Worldwide product coverage, combining direct contracted hotels, connectivity with Global Chains and strategic partnerships with the main global distributors.
What are some of the biggest challenges for your sector right now?
I have to say that the high inflation over the globe will keep impacting on our travellers the way it does now, surely strongly. That’s the reality and probably could be the main challenge for the end of this year and 2023 that is about to begin. Coronavirus is something that unfortunately still with us today, although at much milder levels, but some of the restrictions in certain parts of the world continue to apply. Without overlooking the global impact of the current situation with the war between Russia and Ukraine.
What do you think are some of the biggest opportunities for the travel industry in 2022?
The very advanced, almost complete recovery from the pandemic, along with the tremendous desire to travel after Covid-19 restrictions. The reopening of certain borders, mainly Asian, should be a great opportunity also.
What is your favorite thing about working in hospitality/Travel/Tourism?
I’m lucky enough to do what I love for living, that involves travelling quite frequently and on top of that if you add meet new colleagues in the industry, that will be my favourite things. Also, I would like to mention that I’m fascinated with the technology that is highly important factor in our sector.
What does TravelgateX add value to your business?
Obviously TravelgateX is a very important and strategic partner for us that give us the opportunity to get in touch and connect new partners, this point must be the most remarkable for our business model. Friendly, clear, intuitive and efficient dashboard to proceed with any possible actions, needs and request. Above all, I would like to highlight the human team behind the platform and their constant support.
What suggestions/challenges would you give to theTeamX?
I would suggest more interaction between parties to introduce and understand, for example, the value and strength of a Supplier, in our case, to the new TravelgateX clients.
Can you talk more about solutions you think will be most impactful in the next 12 to 18 months as travel begins to recover?
Room mapping is gaining more strength, shape and consolidation, more and more clients are requesting this development not only when optimizing, but also when closing a new connection. In the negotiation process, it has already become a mandatory requirement to sign a commercial agreement. So, it is a solution that will impact and not only for the recovery, but to be up-to-date and be able to distribute your product with the greatest possible optimization.
What are the plans for 2023? Looking ahead to the next year, what are your top two or three priorities?
Absolutely, always prepared for what the new year will have prepared for us. We will continue with our main strategy that is mainly focus in keep adding new direct properties to our current portfolio, specifically in the American continent and growing our client base in worldwide.
What advice do you have for young people just entering the travel technology space?
Oh well…. Simply that they made the best decision and as an advice, do not stop being always attentive and open to all the advances within this industry to grow constantly, personally and professionally speaking.