SOUTHLAKE, Texas May 6, 2010 – In an effort to increase the speed and efficiency of their technology platform and enable travel agents a simple, flexible and advanced process to book their hotel brands, Carlson Hotels recently became Sabre Hospitality Solutions’ beta customer for its Direct Connect XML (DCX) direct connect booking platform. Sabre Hospitality’s DCX platform is based on the Open Travel Alliance’s advanced, open XML technology standards. The technology will allow Carlson Hotels to increase the content, product, and promotions it offers its direct consumers and the more than 55,000 travel agent locations globally who are connected to the Sabre Global Distribution System (GDS).
“Enabling Sabre’s DCX provides us the ability to more effectively and efficiently communicate with the global travel agency community,” said Christine Brosnahan, vice president, Distribution and Reservation Services for Carlson Hotels. “We value our growing relationships with travel agencies and the Sabre DCX aligns with our strategy to grow our travel agency bookings through stronger relationships. The DCX supports our patented Look To Book Travel Agency program which is our loyalty program for travel agents. In the last year, Carlson Hotels has also greatly enhanced the commission payment process ensuring accurate and timely payment of commissions.”
By complying with OpenTravel’s standards for direct connect technology, Sabre Hospitality Solutions and Carlson Hotels are helping to facilitate the standardization of communication within the travel industry leading to a more seamless shopping experience for travel agents, and a more efficient way for all players in the industry to do business.
“Sabre Hospitality Solutions’ DCX was designed to enhance user experience and create technology that can keep up with ever-increasing technological demands in the travel industry,” said Stephen Fitzgerald, chief operating officer for Sabre Hospitality Solutions. “We were thrilled to have such a prestigious and global customer as Carlson Hotels as the beta customer for this project. With their help in the process, we have been able to create a product that meets hoteliers’ needs now and in the future.”
About Sabre Hospitality Solutions
Sabre Hospitality Solutions leverages the strength and breadth of Sabre Holding’s technology, marketing and distribution tools to bring hotel suppliers a global end-to-end solution. Sabre’s hospitality expertise and portfolio of solutions has grown significantly over the last several years and now includes SynXis, which provides distribution technology and marketing services; E-site Marketing, the leading hospitality Internet marketing solutions provider; Sabre Hotels GDS; Sabre Hotel RFP, which develops, delivers and manages hotel requests for proposals into a single organization; and Sabre Media Solutions for GDS and other creative services in hospitality. For more information visit http://www.sabrehospitality.com.
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. More information is available at http://www.sabre-holdings.com.
About Carlson
Carlson is a privately held, global hospitality and travel company headquartered in
Sabre Hospitality Solutions:
Carol Levitt
Director, Marketing & Communications
+1-682-605-3614
