Alive goes multimedia with travel, tourism platform

<p>A new regional multimedia platform has been established to cater </p><p>specifically to disseminating travel and tourism content. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Called Alive Networks, the platform combines cable television channels, </p><p>Internet sites, mobile products and printed guides to deliver travel and </p><p>holiday programming and information in entertaining and educational ways </p><p>to audiences across Asia-Pacific. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Television content, which will be transmitted to cable channels via </p><p>satellite, is divided into two main subject areas: travel and leisure, </p><p>and learning and self-improvement. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Internet sites will give people more detailed information should they </p><p>need it, while mobile devices can be used for a variety of </p><p>recommendations. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Print guides are also available for those still Internet shy. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Alive is headed and co-founded by chairman and chief executive Ian </p><p>Henry, who was previously Chinadotcom's president international. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Its chief operating officer is Mr Douglas Gautier, formerly the deputy </p><p>executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Association. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Mr Henry claimed that there was nothing like Alive in the travel and </p><p>tourism industry today. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"There are multiple sources of travel information in the marketplace, </p><p>but our research shows none of these are fulfilling the breadth of needs </p><p>of consumers in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"Alive Networks is providing something very different," Mr Henry </p><p>said. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"We don't just deliver basic travel information, but we provide content </p><p>and guidance that can be individualised for the specific travel and </p><p>learning needs of each consumer. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"Our integrated media platform means that Alive will become an </p><p>ever-present companion for travellers throughout the whole process of </p><p>planning, experience and sharing of their travel and learning </p><p>activities." </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The multimedia network is expected to drive significant advertising and </p><p>sponsorship revenue, with subscriptions, Internet and print </p><p>transactions, and the sale of premium content also contributing to the </p><p>bottom line. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"Advertisers have not been offered such an in-depth range of channels to </p><p>get connected to consumers," Mr Gautier said. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>He added that Alive was significant because "the consumer profile has </p><p>changed to the extent that people don't just book a holiday and then fly </p><p>off". </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"They research first; they want to know the culture, history and cuisine </p><p>to get as much out of the travel experience as possible. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"Travel is the world's largest business. In Asia alone, personal travel </p><p>and tourism generates USdollars 500 billion of economic activity that is </p><p>directly related to the service we provide, and it is growing at 6.5 per </p><p>cent a year. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"Alive will capitalise on this significant market opportunity to become </p><p>the travel and learning resource, providing consumers with comprehensive </p><p>and trusted information, ideas and services." </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>While not yet available, Alive will soon offer travel booking services </p><p>via the Internet through links to travel agents. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>However, Mr Henry believed that even with an online transactional </p><p>facility, 95 per cent of bookings would still be conducted offline </p><p>because "although the Internet has changed the way we live our lives, </p><p>traditional methods are what people are comfortable with". </p><p><BR><BR> </p>