Galileo International, Inc., the leading provider of electronic global distribution services for the travel industry, and part of Cendant’s Travel Distribution Services (TDS), today announced agreements with Meritus Hotels & Resorts, Shangri-La and Oberoi Hotels to add their properties to Galileo’s Best Available Rate (BAR) program, which increases this category of inventory to more than 30,000 properties. Galileo is the first GDS to sign such contractual agreements with major hotel chains to provide travel agents with access to the best available published, non-restricted rates offered either online or over the phone via the hotel chain’s reservation line.
Galileo BAR is an exclusive program for all Galileo-connected agents. It offers the convenience of one-stop shopping by giving agents the confidence that they no longer need to search outside the GDS for the best rates at participating hotel properties.
“As a cornerstone of Galileo’s suite of hotel products, Galileo BAR demonstrates the power and possibility for agents by providing extensive revenue generating content right in the GDS,” announced Mr. Joe Lim, Manager of Hospitality and Car, APAC, Galileo International.
Mr. Lim went on to say, “With Galileo Best Available Rate, we have addressed one of the major challenges for travel agents – the inconsistency of hotel rates across distribution channels. With an agent now having the assurance that through this one-stop shop they are booking the best available rate for a client, Galileo has put an end to extra searches and tedious steps in the booking process. And with the increased efficiency, agents are able to shift their focus to selling other components of a trip to improve agency revenue and provide an enhanced level of customer service during the booking process.”
Properties participating in BAR are now identified with an exclamation mark in the display screen. This new indicator makes it easy for agents to identify a BAR hotel, ensuring that they are booking at the best available non-restricted rate.
In addition to Meritus, Shangi-La and Oberoi Hotels, Galileo also has contractual agreements with major hotel chains including Accor, InterContinental Hotel Group, Raffles/Swisshotel Hotels, Stamford Hotels, Mandarin Oriental and Pacific International, World Hotels, Marriott International, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, Hilton International, Cendant Hotels, Outrigger Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton Hotels, Carlson Hospitality, Omni Hotels, Minto Place Hotels, Destinations, West Coast & Red Lion Hotels, Best Western and Kempinski Hotels & Resorts to provide access to their best available non-restricted published rates through the Galileo GDS.
For more information regarding Galileo’s BAR program, please contact Mr. Joe Lim, Manager of Hospitality and CAR, APAC, Galileo International, Cendant Travel Distribution Services at Tel: +65 6412 2536; Fax: + 65 6223 2119; email:
[email protected]
About Galileo International
Galileo International (http://www.galileo.com) 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 traveller choice. Part of Cendant’s Travel Distribution Services Group, Galileo is headquartered in Parsippany, NJ, and has offices worldwide.
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 140 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?, THOR?, TRUST and WizCom?); leading online travel agencies (Asia-hotel.com, CheapTickets?, ebookers.com?, HotelClub.com, Lodging.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.).
For more information please contact:
Linda Ho (APAC) Cendant Travel Distribution Services
+852 2821 2388
[email protected]
Steve Lovato/G.E. Mead Incentive Dynamics (S) Pte. Ltd.
+6596253104 / +6618507979
[email protected]
[email protected] End.