Distinguished Companies Honored for Online Travel Program Achievements
SOUTHLAKE, Texas, March 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — GetThere recognized seven corporate customers last night for their exceptional online travel programs at an awards presentation in San Diego, California. The awards were presented as a part of the annual GetThere Corporate Travel Summit, an event created six years ago to provide hundreds of customers with an opportunity to discuss industry trends and issues, learn about new products and services, and network with industry peers.
“We are thrilled to honor these outstanding companies who have reduced travel costs for their companies as a result of their online travel programs,” said Tony D’Astolfo, senior vice president of corporate business, GetThere. “We look forward to working closely with all of our customers to ensure their continued success and a solid return on their investment.”
Companies were recognized for their outstanding achievements in the following categories:
Leadership Award
-- Verizon
Verizon received this year's Leadership Award for the significant
impact it made in the online corporate travel market in 2003. The
company achieved a 70 percent adoption rate and a 78 percent touchless
transaction rate by using an online fulfillment center, soft company
mandates, and a comprehensive communications program targeting
travelers and management. This approach helped Verizon save over four
million dollars last year using GetThere.
Most Comprehensive Travel
-- Program
AXA Financial, Inc.
AXA Financial drove several initiatives last year
that helped the company increase its overall online adoption rate to
66 percent. The company attributes the increase to a mandate for
online booking in the U.S., a rollout of GetThere DirectMeetings, and
a move to an interactive fulfillment center.
Fast Track Adoption
-- EDS
EDS reached an estimated 50 percent adoption rate within a year of
rolling out GetThere as a result of a comprehensive communications
program that was launched to travelers and senior management.
Adoption Excellence Awards
Four long-time GetThere customers were also recognized for maintaining consistently high online adoption rates. Recipients included:
-- HP
HP has been using the GetThere system since 1998, and has maintained a
65-70 percent online adoption rate. HP also recently completed a
simultaneous migration to the latest version of GetThere and a GDS
change from Apollo to Sabre, while maintaining high adoption levels.
-- Koch Business Solutions, LP
Koch Business Solutions has climbed to a 50 percent adoption rate
since implementing GetThere in 2000. In 2003, the company worked with
its agency partner to roll out an automated email awareness campaign
that targets travelers within 24 hours after making an agency-assisted
booking to encourage them to start booking online.
-- McKesson Corporation
McKesson's adoption rate has reached 85-90 percent since the rollout
in October 2002. The company secured support for a mandate in April
2003, and also uses the online booking site as a news and information
resource for travel industry and company updates.
-- Parker Hannifin Corporation
A long-standing customer since 1999, Parker Hannifin attributes its
85 percent adoption rate to traveler targeted marketing and senior
management support. Parker adopted an online booking policy in 2001,
and has continued support of the program due to consistent
communications about the system's return on investment.
About GetThere
GetThere, a Sabre Travel Network brand, is the world’s leading Web-based corporate travel reservation technology. GetThere enables global corporations and government agencies to provide a convenient way for employees to book travel and plan meetings while significantly reducing costs. GetThere’s advanced technology works with all major global distribution systems (GDS) and all travel management companies. More than 1,000 corporations, including half the Fortune 200, use GetThere. More information is available at www.getthere.com.
Sabre Holdings Corporation (NYSE: TSG) is a world leader in travel commerce, retailing travel products and providing distribution and technology solutions for the travel industry. More information about Sabre Holdings is available at http://www.sabre-holdings.com.
SOURCE GetThere
-0- 03/16/2004
/CONTACT: Michelle Sibbitt of GetThere, +1-415-932-1177, or
michelle.sibbitt@getthere.com/
/Web site: http://www.getthere.com
http://www.sabre-holdings.com /
(TSG)
CO: GetThere
ST: Texas, California
IN: TRA
SU: AWD
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