Boosts Capabilities in Growing Leisure Travel Industry in Eastern Europe
SOUTHLAKE, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–March 8, 2007–Sabre Travel Network, the leading provider of innovative travel distribution solutions for travel agencies, suppliers and corporations, said today it had acquired a 40 percent stake in ESS, a technology provider and distributor of tour content to the travel industry in Poland. The acquisition, effective on 1 March, complements Sabre Travel Network’s ongoing investment in Europe, its focus on growth regions, and its drive to boost the range of European leisure products bookable in the Sabre GDS.
ESS is one of the leading providers of leisure travel solutions for tour operators and travel agencies in Poland. It is headquartered in Wroclaw and has 18 employees. The investment enables Sabre Travel Network to meet the full technology and distribution needs of the broad spectrum of tour operators and travel agencies in Poland, including small and mid-sized leisure-focused agencies.
Sabre Travel Network has operated a technology and product development centre in Krakow, Poland, since 2000.
“Sabre Travel Network has an outstanding reputation with travel agents and is a perfect partner for ESS,” said Tomasz Berdowski, founder and general manager of ESS. “Both companies share the vision of growth in the European leisure sector and Poland, with its population of 38 million, is one of the most lucrative travel regions in Eastern Europe.”
The Polish travel industry has grown strongly over the past few years. The number of organized foreign trips purchased by Poles has grown by 15 to 20 percent annually.
Sabre Travel Network will evaluate opportunities to expand the ESS business into other countries in Eastern Europe, although its primary near-term focus will be growing its presence in Poland.
Richard Adams, Sabre Travel Network’s senior vice president for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), said the move would help expand the Sabre global distribution system (GDS) into the growing region of Eastern Europe, while also helping to support existing travel agency customers who plan to do business in the region.
“We are focused on enhancing our leisure booking capabilities and are investing in the growth in Eastern Europe,” Adams said. “Our investment in ESS brings these two strategies together.”
Sabre Travel Network has operated a technology and product development centre in Krakow, Poland, since 2000.
About Sabre Travel Network
Sabre Travel Network, a Sabre Holdings company, provides the most comprehensive end-to-end solutions for corporate and leisure travel. The Sabre GDS is the foundation for these solutions, providing a ready-built efficient marketplace that connects travel suppliers, including hundreds of airlines and thousands of hotels, with more than 50,000 travel agency locations.
Key brands of Sabre Travel Network include GetThere, for corporate travel reservation technology; Jurni Network, a consortium of leisure travel agencies providing marketing and promotion services; Nexion, a host agency; SynXis, for hotel reservation management, distribution and technology services; and TRAMS, mid- and back-office solutions and marketing services for travel agencies. Sabre Travel Network also markets TripTailor, a travel wholesaler providing dynamic packaging for the travel agency marketplace.
Sabre Holdings (NYSE:TSG) 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 about Sabre Holdings is available at http://www.sabre-holdings.com.
CONTACT: Sabre Travel Network
Kathryn Hayden, 682-605-2252
kathryn.haygen@sabre-holdings.com
SOURCE: Sabre Travel Network
