Oct 14, 2019

Talking with Entrepreneurs...

Last week, I had the opportunity to talk with several Entrepreneurs looking for advice from an old chap always learning new tricks (this humble servant of no one).
Usually, they contact me because they want to use new technologies (Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, Augmented Reality...) in our beloved sector.
I pay full attention to them. I like to get the same when I try to seduce new customers, new investors, new services providers... to my new, new startup! 
I give curiosity, persistence, hard work...and I hope it will return in some way!
In this occasion, all the startups were focused on using Platform Economy’s ideas.
At the end of the day, they want to become the new, new intermediary/infomediary.
Using Blockchain technology to become an Intermediary, Jordi? - Would ask the usual expert that every time that appear a new technology, He/She proclaims that it will be the end of Intermediaries in Tourism!
YES! - Reply Touristology’s voice!

I listened to them I thought about their ideas and I highlighted the two things that they would need in order to be successful in Platform Economy's land.
1) If you don’t have USERS and SERVICE PROVIDERS. You don’t have wings. So, you are just a smarter bug!
Maybe you believe that you can seduce the service providers to use YOUR platform.
But, nowadays most of them have learned that in platform economy you need to use YOUR OWN ONE!
It is more and more difficult to create the new PayPal... or to be the next Bill Gates keeping the control over the software while IBM was happy just selling the hardware.
Maybe you believe that you can seduce generic Users... But, you know me... I, strongly, recommend to focus on Specialized ones.
2) Can you seduce/compel the members of the chain of value to use YOUR platform and YOUR technology?
Otherwise, it will be very difficult to become an End to End Platform, as AirBnB likes to call itself! A Platform giving support to the Tourists from the beginning to the end of the trip!
Otherwise, it will be very difficult to be and remain competitive!!!
I, really, have enjoyed sharing Touristology’s principles with you, future Entrepreneurs! I wish the best of luck for your Startups. I know that you already have provide the motivation, the self-discipline, the skills and the team that will build a competitive organization!
See you on Touristology’s world!!!

Oct 8, 2019

Thanks for being my mentors!!!

Today, Grupo Auren has release a book trying to disclosure the future related to Health, Education, Robotics, Blockchain.... AND TOURISM!!!
I have tried to summarize what I have learnt from my mentors during all these years enjoying being a Touristologist!
At the beginning of this OUR blog (almost 10 years ago!!!) I wrote a post saying thanks to MY  Touristologists.
Today, I want to say the same to my mentors in Touristology...
Espuña: First person that said to me “We are Touristologists!”
Almodovar: Master of masters dealing with intermediaries in the Tourism sector.
Urgell: Born to be a Hotelier.
Iglesias: A Marketing lighthouse.
Calabuig: A Geographer that fell in love with Tourism.
Codinas: A Psychologist genius entrepreneur and expert in travel agencies.
Gou: The best incoming travel agent in the entire world.
Martin and Peguero: The dynamic duo! The first ones that enlightened me with the Yield Management philosophy.
Arcarons: An incredible lawyer… 
Rajesh: A programmer Guru that has been my brother in arms mixing Touristology and Web-Engineering.
You were the best mentors in Touristology!
I also want to express my gratitude to all the people that have helped me to develop my career as a Touristologists builder:
Mar Isla, Francesc Uroz, Quim Majó, José Hernandez, Joan Miquel Gomis… from the bottom of my heart...THANKS FOR EVERYTHING!
The fight to build the best Science ever is going on!!!
Enjoy reading the book!
Enjoy Touristology!