UK/INTERNATIONAL. ChangeGroup International CEO and Co-Founder Sacha Zackariya has published a book titled Leading Travel and Tourism Retail: How Businesses Can Sustainably Capture New Profits in Shopping Tourism.
It shares insights and expertise about the subject and outlines strategies and tactics to capitalise on growth opportunities.
Zackariya – who has been navigating the travel and tourism sector for more than 30 years through foreign currency and financial services provider ChangeGroup – says the strategies are as applicable to established brands as they are to newcomers.
“The travel and tourism industry represents 10% of global GDP, yet this is the first book to explore all sales channels within tourism, from high streets to airports to resorts. The intention has been to use my role as author and researcher to act as a guide to all sectors of the industry” – ChangeGroup CEO and author Sacha Zackariya
Over his time in what he describes as a complex industry, Zackariya notes that he has developed an understanding of the wants and expectations of travellers, and when, where and why they choose to spend money.
The book delves into a number of important and relevant industry topics, covering everything from the modern day traveller’s desire for personal experiences and the importance of travel cash, to human talent management and the role of technology and data in the retail space.
In addition to Zackariya sharing his own knowledge and experiences, Leading Travel and Tourism Retail also delivers insights through a series of interviews. He speaks to some highly-regarded names in the industry, offering glimpses behind the inner workings of some of the best-known brands in the world.
Industry leaders featured in the book include LVMH Asia Group Chairman Ravi Thakran, London Gatwick Airport CEO Stewart Wingate and Chanel Foundation President Andrea d’Avack.
Positive reviews of the book so far include one from former Abu Dhabi Airport Chief Commercial Officer Francois Bourienne. He said of the book: “A fantastic contribution to the industry which is full of concrete and practical advice.”
Walpole CEO Helen Brocklebank described it as “essential reading for everyone with a stake in the international visitor economy”.
Colliers International CEO Georg Muzicant stated that Zackariya’s “detailed exploration of the most important trends of the past decades makes the book a must read”.
Zackariya said: “My position at ChangeGroup has given me a unique insight into the travel and spending behaviours of millions of tourists throughout the globe. For three decades, I have had been deeply fascinated by the ways in which shoppers choose to spend the billions in cash ChangeGroup exchanges for people.
“I am lucky enough to have been able to observe these patterns through our tax refunding service, and as a result of people using our foreign exchange ATMs at various stages of their journey.
“Writing Leading Travel and Tourism Retail, I have embraced this passion and curiosity by carrying out extensive research to provide a 360 view of the entire industry, with the aim of creating a reference guide for brands and retailers as well as landlords and airports.
“The travel and tourism industry represents 10% of global GDP, yet this is the first book to explore all sales channels within tourism, from high streets to airports to resorts. The intention has been to use my role as author and researcher to act as a guide to all sectors of the industry.
“I have been able to achieve this, not only by drawing from my own experiences, but by picking the brains of some of people behind tourism and travel retail’s biggest successes.
“Leading Travel and Tourism Retail allows its readers to both deepen their understanding of how to adapt to international travellers’ range of needs and identify opportunities for business growth within the industry. It is a must-have book for anyone wanting to drive profits.”
