Newly Formed Agency Partners with the Leading Provider of Content and Technology for the Travel Industry
PARSIPPANY, NJ, April 17, 2006 – Galileo International, a leading global distribution system (GDS) and subsidiary of Cendant Corp. (NYSE: CD), today announced a new multi-year distribution contract with the newly formed travel partnership, The Odyssey Group. Based in Denver, Colorado, The Odyssey Group was created in September of 2005 when industry consultant, Walter Gay, helped bring together three leading travel agencies - Polk Majestic Travel, Journeys by Ambassador and Peak Travel. Each individual agency is a long established, known market leader for both service and growth. The formation of the Odyssey Group will bring together unique benefits that when combined with Galileo will bring unprecedented value to customers, affiliates and employees.
Galileo beat out the competition vying for the business, and solidified the enviable position of primary GDS for the company by offering a flexible model that goes beyond the traditional agency/GDS relationship. The new agreement will provide The Odyssey Group with comprehensive content, product and service offerings, including a consolidated Travelport Preferred Program, corporate and affiliate lead programs, comprehensive mid-office capabilities, and unique packaging offerings for The Odyssey Group’s affiliates.
“We recognize the potential growth opportunities that The Odyssey Group will enjoy in the coming years, and are dedicated to creating an environment that will foster long-term success for the partnership” said Lee Fimmen, vice president, U.S. Sales and Account Management, Galileo International, Americas. “Among other possibilities, we are anxious to work with The Odyssey Group to leverage the synergies of the individual agencies and expand both their affiliate and corporate business.”
“Galileo has upheld long-standing relationships with each of the individual agencies and therefore was the clear frontrunner when it came to selecting our GDS partner,” said Jack Brinkman, owner of Journeys by Ambassador, partner of The Odyssey Group. “We needed to ensure that our GDS had the global footprint and negotiating power to provide the content we need to grow our business and drive success. With Galileo we are in the best possible position. We are confident that we will continue to have the tools necessary to keep, attract and service our clients and employees.”
# # #
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 and part of Cendant's Travel Distribution Services Division, Galileo is headquartered in Parsippany, NJ, and has offices worldwide. Visit www.galileo.com.
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 over 8,000 people in approximately 40 countries, operating in 130 countries, includes: a leading (GDS) global distribution system (Galileo), serving more than 50,000 travel agencies and over 60,000 hotels; hotel distribution and services businesses (Neat Group®, TRUST and WizCom®); leading online travel agencies (Asia-hotel.com, CheapTickets®, ebookers.com®, HotelClub.com, Lodging.com, NeedaHotel.com, Orbitz®, RatesToGo.com, and The Away Network); 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 The Odyssey Group
Based in Denver, Colorado, The Odyssey Group is a partnership of three leading travel agencies - Polk Majestic Travel, Journeys by Ambassador and Peak Travel. Each agency remains an individually owned market leader. Known for extraordinary customer service within their local markets, the companies have partnered together to find new ways of sharing unique value with all of our customers and affiliates. The entire Odyssey Group includes affiliates across the Unites States and extending to 32 countries around the world. Every client everywhere is a VIP with the Odyssey Group.
Media Contact:
Cendant Travel Distribution Services
Jill Brenner 973-496-5870
TDS.CorpCom@cendant.com