Five-Year Global Distribution System Contract Renewal Reinforces Unwavering Belief in Cendant Travel Agency Services
May 23, 2005 – Galileo International, Inc., a leading global distribution system (GDS), today announced an agreement to continue its long standing relationship as the GDS provider for Travel Management Partners, one of the largest corporate travel management firms in the United States, for an additional five years. The renewal will provide Travel Management Partners with the most effective tools to drive operational efficiency and the merchandising capabilities to increase revenue and profit.
“We stand firm in our belief that the GDS continues to be the most effective and efficient vehicle to drive our travel management business, and we are confident that Galileo is the most viable long term partner in the industry,” said John Lewis, president and CEO, Travel Management Partners. “Galileo has been with us since day one, and throughout our 11-year relationship, has continuously supplied us with the solutions, quality assurance technology and support that proves their dedication to the success of our business.”
Travel Management Partners currently establishes and manages customized on-site corporate travel offices and dedicated off-site travel centers for corporations through the use of Galileo-enabled technology and content. The contract renewal also signals Travel Management Partners’ move into the leisure market with the deployment of some of Galileo’s leisure-focused solution suites. Among the solutions to be implemented to further grow their business are Galileo NeatAgentSM to easily customize travel packages, and Galileo CruiseSM for extensive cruising content with efficient technology.
“Through our investments in the travel agency channel, we will continue to provide the resources necessary to help Travel Management Partners build upon the success they’ve realized with their corporate customers, and look forward to help grow the leisure arm of their business,” said Bridgette Christiansen, vice president of sales and account development, Travel Agency Services, The Americas. “We value our partnerships and will put forth any efforts necessary to ensure the continued growth and productivity of Galileo-connected agencies and travel management corporations. We can achieve this through the strength of our travel agency services and the scale and relevance of our Cendant-affiliated businesses.”
Through the content and technology of complimentary Cendant Brands, Galileo is working with Travel Management Partners to customize a leisure ‘Friends and Family’ Web site. Offered to employees of Travel Management Partners’ corporate customers, this site is being implemented in phases, which includes incorporating the technology of NeatAgent and content of Lodging.com and Gullivers Travel. The Web site will also offer content from Galileo Cruise, RCI, and Trilegiant’s Great Fun dining program and AutoVantage Gold.
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 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 (GDS) global distribution system (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 Travel Management Partners:
Founded in 1994 by John W. Lewis and Wanda Shankle, Travel Management Partners has grown to be one of the 15 largest travel management companies in the United States."Our Mission is total commitment to service excellence through advanced reservations and quality assurance technology that provides the TMP client with a fully customizable travel program with a high degree of personal attention." TMP prides itself on being a leading "solution provider" in the area of corporate travel management.
Media Contact:
Cendant Travel Distribution Services
Galileo Americas Inquiries
Sarah Berger or Jill Brenner
(973) 496-5870
TDS.CorpComm@cendant.com