Globe '08 trade fair in Rome

In the same month that Bookassist unveiled its new Travel2.0 booking engine, Bookassist's Italy operation also attended the trade fair in Rome - Globe 08.

Globe 08 is now one of the biggest trade fairs held in Italy and attracted over 35,000 delegates from hotels, tour operators, travel agents and technology companies from Italy, Southern Europe and the Mediterranean.

The Bookassist Italy team of Marco Buitoni, Sonia Marsella and Claudio Gallo were kept very busy meeting with clients. Sonia commented that there was a lot in interest in the Bookassist Travel2.0 booking engine in addition to the online marketing program "Trafficbuilder". Sonia also made the point that "while there is still a reliance on traditional 3rd party channels in Italy, hotels in Italy also see the value in carrying out online marketing for their own website and brand"

Bookassist's Operations Manager for Ireland, Roshan McPartland, also delivered a workshop presentation which highlighted the new challenges that exist for the accommodation sector in marketing their properties online as well as looking at current trends which are already affecting the industry.


In attendance at the Globe Trade Fair representing Bookassist were Marco Buitoni, Sonia Marsella (pictured above), Claudio Gallo, Francesca Frizzoni, Mauro Camiglia and Roshan McPartland from the Ireland Office (pictured below).

Bookassist office opens in Italy

Bookassist to roll out Booking Engine and Trafficbuilder services in Italy, launches Bookassist Italy office.

Bookassist has this month launched its award-winning services on the ground in Italy with an initial base in Perugia, Umbria. The Italian office will be responsible for the roll-out of the Bookassist Engine incorporating new Travel2.0 technology being pioneered by Bookassist as part of the booking engine suite, as well as Bookassist Trafficbuilder marketing services.

The initial Bookassist team in Italy comprises Marco Buitoni, Sonia Marsella, Francesca Frizzoni and Mauro Camiglia who between them have many years experience in the travel trade and in the hospitality sector in particular in Italy.

"We are excited to be moving in such a dynamic marketplace with such strong potential, and we have exciting plans for 2008 and beyond for Italy", said Yahya Fetchati, Head of Business & Operations at Bookassist. "The potential for Bookassist's very effective and personalised approach is enormous in Italy and the combination of our local knowledge and Bookassist's award-winning services will lead to a considerable success", predicts Buitoni.