Travelport Worldwide Limited has provided insight on the commercialization of blockchain for the travel sector in the UK government’s TechUK White Paper launched this week.
The TechUK White Paper catalogs some of the diverse use cases for blockchain technology by UK-based businesses and showcases Travelport’s ‘Digital Traveler Wallet’ proof of concept, a travel-specific use case for distributed ledger technology developed in conjunction with its innovation partner, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).
Travelport is exploring how it can manage digital travel assets, such as flight bookings, hotel bookings, ground transport reservations, tours, or any travel experience, on and off a blockchain. Travelport and TCS created a proof of concept called the ‘Digital Traveler Wallet’ which can securely store and transact blockchain and non-blockchain based reservations. The Digital Traveler Wallet mobile app allows the traveler to securely manage, transfer, redeem and modify their travel booking, regardless of the source.
Commenting on the TechUK White Paper, Travelport’s GVP Government Affairs Simon Gros said: “It’s great to see the UK Government taking the lead in demonstrating the differing use cases for blockchain being developed across the UK, including at Travelport. We’re really proud of our innovation program, with a number of blockchain-based ideas currently undergoing proof of concept research. We partner with global technology leaders like TCS to ensure we’ve got the greatest minds in the world working to make the experience of buying and managing travel continually better for everyone.”
Travelport is currently testing a number of different use cases for blockchain including using the technology to make the hotel commission settlement process easier for all parties in the travel supply chain. More details on this will be shared at the GBTA Convention 2019 taking place in Chicago.
