SOUTHLAKE, Texas, Jan 20, 2005 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Sabre Holdings Corporation (NYSE:TSG) today announced that Joseph William (Bill) Nicholson, a recognized hotel industry and IT expert, has been appointed president and general manager of SynXis, the Sabre Holdings business that provides reservation management, distribution and technology services for hotels. The company also announced the successful completion of the acquisition of SynXis Corporation.
In his role as president and general manager, Nicholson is responsible for all aspects of managing the SynXis business. The SynXis reservation system has gained significant marketplace traction as its hotel base has expanded to about 6,000 hotel properties. It enables hoteliers and chains to simplify complex tasks to sell hotel inventory in a multi-channel world. Through the system, hotel properties are able to seamlessly sell through global distribution systems (GDSs), including the Sabre GDS, as well as over 1,200 third party Internet travel sites and hotel reservation offices/central reservation centers.
“Bill brings a wealth of specialized hotel expertise that will benefit SynXis and its hotel customers in what is one of the largest and fastest growing segments of the marketplace,” said Eric J. Speck, chief marketing officer, Sabre Holdings. “His deep knowledge of the hotel industry will further our ability to optimize our core distribution business for scale and efficiency. His extensive background will also bring benefits throughout Sabre as we deliver even more services to hotels.”
During his 15-year tenure with Pegasus, Nicholson held a number of key positions, including executive vice president of strategic planning and corporate development, president and chief operating officer, Pegasus Solutions’ Technology Group, and chief information officer and vice president of information systems. He was responsible for the development and operation of many key technology products and services, including the hotel industry’s first worldwide multi-chain, commission-clearing and settlement service for hotels and travel agents and the first client-server based reservation switching service. Prior to his roles with Pegasus, Nicholson spent 10 years at Texas Instruments where he held various positions ranging from systems engineer to systems integration manager.
He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science from Texas A&M University-Commerce.
“I’m very excited about the opportunity to build on the success of SynXis,” said Bill Nicholson, president and general manager, SynXis Corporation. “This is an excellent organization with very talented people. I believe we have a great opportunity to address the specific needs of hotel customers and deliver sustainable value for hotels across Sabre.”
About SynXis Corporation
SynXis, a Sabre Holdings business, enables hotels to maximize revenue and reduce costs through innovative, market-driven technology combined with outstanding customized support. The SynXis Reservation Management System, at the solution’s core, empowers hotel operators to consolidate and manage hotel inventory from all sources — seamless GDS connectivity, over 1200 popular Internet travel sites, private-label central reservation systems, and full-service hotel Web sites. It also helps hotels build revenue by enabling them to independently manage each distribution channel from one easy-to-use control center. All of these reservations can connect directly with the PMS. SynXis is the technology source for close to 6000 hotels, bed and breakfasts, resorts and destinations, including Harrah’s, VIP International, Interstate Hotels & Resorts, Destination Hotels & Resorts and Jumeirah Hotels.
About Sabre Holdings Corporation
Sabre Holdings, an S&P 500 company, is a world leader in travel commerce, retailing travel products and providing distribution and technology solutions for the travel industry. Sabre Holdings supports travelers, travel agents, corporations and travel suppliers through its companies: Travelocity, Sabre Travel Network and Sabre Airline Solutions. Headquartered in Southlake, Texas, in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, the company has more than 6,000 employees in 43 countries. Full year 2003 revenues totaled $2.05 billion. Sabre Holdings is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TSG. More information is available at www.sabre-holdings.com.
SOURCE: Sabre Holdings Corporation
Sabre Holdings Corporation, Southlake
Nanci Williams, 682-605-2271
nanci.williams@sabre-holdings.com
