Africa Travel WeekTravel has experienced several generational shifts over the past century, the most recent driving the fast-tracking of touchless technology to keep travellers and staff safe. Our panel discusses some of the innovative touchless technology solutions that support the travel industry in its efforts to minimise personal contact and make travel safer. We also unpack what the future of touchless tech looks like in the travel and tourism channel.
THE SPEAKERS
Aneke Kleynhans
Opera Operations Manager, Micros SA
Aneke Kleynhans is the Opera Operations Manager at Micros South Africa . She joined Micro SA in 2017 after a career in hospitality of more than 25 years. She is responsible for effective project delivery of the Oracle Hospitality Solution – Opera, integration of Third party hospitality technology solutions, and support of these systems for Micros South Africa’s clients across the SADC region. Under her leadership her team has implemented Oracle Opera Cloud Solution . Her moto – “ Always have a plan B ” – is how she approach daily challenges and obstacles.
Francois Blanc
Amadeus’s Traveler ID’s Managing Director
Francois Blanc is Amadeus’s Traveler ID’s Managing Director, a service that simplifies Traveller verification for Travel Players like Airlines, Airports, Hotels and Car rental. He’s been working with a range of partners to bring a specific version dedicated to COVID testing and vaccination, to support Airlines request for Traveler’s health verification purpose, from within their web and mobile channels.
Joseph Ling
CEO, Vouch Singapore
Joseph Ling is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Vouch, an award-winning technology start-up that helps businesses in the travel industry craft engaging digital concierges powered by A.I. His company’s portfolio of clients range across different tourism sectors – from hotels, attractions, museums, and even shopping malls – to redefine digital experiences and deploy accessible, intuitive, digital products for their customers. Joseph was a former government scholar and earned a Bachelor of Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the National University of Singapore.
Theresa Emerick
Managing Director, NightsBridge
A creative problem solver and successful entrepreneur, most notably in the travel technology space, Theresa Emerick is the Managing Director of NightsBridge, the “bridge” between independent hospitality suppliers and the marketing channels selling their inventory. Founded in 2004 by Theresa and her husband Neil, NightsBridge focusses on developing simple technology that increases online distribution and marketing opportunities for B&B, guest house and boutique hotel clients. Today a recognised and well-respected thought leader in the country’s tourism industry, Theresa pours her energy into strategic partnership development and championing the growth of South Africa’s tourism. Theresa holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pretoria in Political Science and International Relations.
THE MODERATOR
Natalia Rosa
Director of Big Ambitions
Natalia Rosa is the director of Big Ambitions, a specialist Cape Town-based travel content marketing consultancy. Rosa is a passionate follower of online marketing, social media, retail travel, inbound tourism and publishing. Rosa has editing, writing and management experience in the content generation, online marketing, social media and publishing fields, has completed an online marketing diploma with the University of Stellenbosch, Honours in Journalism and Media Studies and Masters in Publishing with specialisation in online publishing field cum laude.
