LONDON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Nov. 14, 2005–The Sabre global
distribution system has won the accolade of ‘World’s Leading GDS/CRS’
for a record twelfth consecutive year at the World Travel Awards, this
year presented at World Travel Market (WTM) in London. Travelocity was
named the ‘World’s Leading Travel Internet Site’ for the eighth
consecutive year.
“Our parent company, Sabre Holdings, has led the way in expanding
and deepening its presence in every channel of travel distribution,
offering travel suppliers huge distribution value,” said John Stow,
president of Sabre Travel Network. “The Sabre GDS remains the most
efficient and profitable way for travel suppliers to distribute their
products. Travel agents and travel providers around the world have
recognized this, and today’s tremendous honor is the result.”
Michelle Peluso, Travelocity’s president and chief executive
officer, was named ‘Internet Travel Personality of the Year’ at the
ceremony. She said the dotcom’s award was the result of its continued
focus on “getting things right for the customer,” and its “before,
during and after” approach to the entire travel experience.
“Our acquisition this year of lastminute.com was a natural
extension to our view that travel is more than about getting to your
destination – it’s about everything that happens during and after the
trip. We’re just so pleased and grateful that this approach has been
recognised by the World Travel Awards, and we’re looking forward to
growing our presence in Europe still further through lastminute.com.”
“Since founding the World Travel Awards in 1993 we have seen a
growing sophistication in the travel and tourism trade, and increased
competition,” said Graham Cooke, president of the World Travel Awards.
“Although 2005 has seen its fair share of global events, from
hurricanes to soaring oil prices, our winners have continued to
survive and thrive. They’ve seen challenges as opportunities and led
the way for the industry. They are having a major impact and influence
on the world’s travel and tourism industry, and are true innovators
and benchmarkers, especially in the areas of customer service,
technology, operational efficiency, product offering and style.”
The World Travel Awards were organized in 1993 to acknowledge and
celebrate excellence in the world’s travel and tourism industry. They
are voted for independently by travel professionals worldwide. More
than 150,000 agents from 80,000 travel agencies across the globe
participated in the World Travel Awards’ recent voting campaign.
About Sabre Travel Network
Sabre Travel Network, a Sabre Holdings company, provides access to
the world’s leading global distribution system (GDS). The Sabre GDS is
a ready-built efficient marketplace that connects suppliers, including
hundreds of airlines and thousands of hotels, with more than 50,000
travel agency locations. Suppliers get access through one single
connection; travel agents get real time access to thousands of travel
products from multiple suppliers through one source integrated into
their businesses; consumers get access to a global supermarket of the
world’s greatest travel possibilities.
Key brands of Sabre Travel Network include GetThere, the leading
Web-based corporate travel reservation technology, and Jurni Network,
the unique leisure travel agency consortium in the United States that
enables members to sell more products from preferred travel suppliers
using sophisticated market intelligence.
About Travelocity
Travelocity is committed to being the traveler’s champion –
before, during and after the trip and works hand-in-hand with the
world’s most reputable travel providers so that everything about a
customer’s booking will be right. And if it’s not, Travelocity
guarantees that it will work with its partners to make it right, right
away. This customer-driven focus, backed by live 24/7 phone support,
great prices and powerful shopping technology has made Travelocity the
fifth largest travel agency in the U.S. – booking $4.9 billion in
travel in 2004. Based in Southlake, Texas, Travelocity also owns and
operates Travelocity Business(SM), and lastminute.com, a leader in
European online travel. Travelocity is owned by Sabre Holdings
Corporation (NYSE:TSG), a world leader in travel commerce.
About Sabre Holdings
Sabre Holdings connects people with the world’s greatest travel
possibilities by retailing travel products and providing distribution
and technology solutions for the travel industry. Sabre Holdings
supports travellers, travel agents, corporations, government agencies
and travel suppliers through its companies: Travelocity, Sabre Travel
Network and Sabre Airline Solutions. Headquartered in Southlake,
Texas, the company has approximately 9,000 employees in 45 countries.
Full year 2004 revenues totaled $2.1 billion. Sabre Holdings, an S&P
500 company, is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol
TSG. More information is available at http://www.sabre-holdings.com.
CONTACT: Sabre Holdings, Southlake
Nanci Williams, 682-605-2271
nanci.williams@sabre-holdings.com
or
Travelocity, Southlake
Joel Frey, 682-605-2178
joel.frey@travelocity.com
SOURCE: Sabre Holdings