-- Five-Year Contract with Cendant Reinforces Value of Global Distribution Systems --
July 6, 2005 – Galileo International, Inc., a leading global distribution system (GDS) and subsidiary of Cendant Corp. (NYSE: CD), today announced a five-year renewal agreement with World Travel Inc., the 6th largest, full-service corporate and leisure travel agency in the U.S. with total sales reaching $350 million. The sizeable contract, both in scale and annual segments, signifies Galileo’s breadth of distribution capabilities and its ability to increase revenue and improve market position for its travel agency customers. Galileo will continue to provide World Travel core GDS solutions; leading products, technology and services to drive competitive advantage and incremental revenue.
“As we operate in an ever-changing and volatile industry, we are confident that the GDS will continue to provide the greatest combination of content and value to Travel Management Companies,” said George Gadebusch, MIS Director, World Travel, Inc. “World Travel’s continued commitment to Galileo as a technology partner is built upon a solid 22 year relationship and the belief that they will continue the development of technology solutions and vendor relationships essential to our success.”
“We are proud of the partnership we have with World Travel,” said Bridgette Christiansen, vice president of Sales and Account development, Travel Agency Services, The Americas. “Cendant is committed to the agency channel and providing the leading products and solutions that are necessary to ensure their success. Driving incremental revenue and helping agencies succeed through partnership is in the Cendant DNA.”
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About Cendant Travel Distribution Services:
Cendant Corporation’s (NYSE: CD) Travel Distribution Services Division, is one of the world’s largest and most geographically diverse collections of travel brands and distribution businesses. The division, employing nearly 9,000 people in approximately 120 countries, includes: a leading global distribution system (GDS) company (Galileo), serving more than 44,000 travel agencies and over 60,000 hotels; hotel distribution and services businesses (Neat Group®, THOR®, TRUST and WizCom®); leading online travel agencies (CheapTickets®, ebookers.com®, HotelClub.com, Lodging.com, Orbitz®, and RatesToGo.com); an airline market intelligence company (Shepherd Systems); an international travel technology and software company (Travelwire); a leading international provider of long-haul air travel and travel product consolidator (Travel 2®/Travel 4®); online global corporate travel management solutions (Orbitz for Business® and Travelport®); and a leading wholesaler and global online provider of hotels, destination services, travel packages and group tours (Gullivers Travel Associates, OctopusTravel.com® and Travel Bound, Inc.).
About Galileo International:
Galileo International is a global technology leader. Its core business is providing electronic global distribution services for the travel industry through its computerized reservation systems, leading-edge products and innovative, Internet-based solutions. Galileo is a value-added distributor of travel inventory dedicated to supporting its travel supplier, agency and corporate customers and, through them, expanding traveler choice. A subsidiary of Cendant Corporation (NYSE: CD) and part of Cendant's Travel Distribution Services Division, Galileo is headquartered in Parsippany, NJ, and has offices worldwide. Visit www.galileo.com.
About World Travel Inc.:
World Travel, Inc, has built a reputation on providing excellent service. Through experience and dedication to the travel industry, World Travel, Inc. is committed to providing the most professional, efficient and cost effective travel program. World Travel has grown to the 6th largest travel management company within the nation over the past 22 years. This growth has been realized completely through organic growth. World Travel hasn’t achieved this growth through any acquisitions or mergers. Our Senior Management is housed in our Corporate Headquarters in Douglassville, PA.
Media Contact:
Cendant Travel Distribution Services
Galileo Americas Inquiries
Sarah Berger or Jill Brenner
(973) 496-5870