SOUTHLAKE, Texas, Aug 18, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Sabre Travel Network announced today the launch of Hotel UpSell in the United Kingdom. Hotel UpSell is a product that enables hoteliers to automatically offer upgrades when travel agents book hotel rooms in the Sabre global distribution system (GDS). Travel agents benefit as they are able to offer customers higher-value products during the hotel booking process, thereby increasing commission payments. Hoteliers benefit by increased revenue through the sale of additional products and services.
Hotel properties in the U.S. have seen their revenue grow by an average of 13% on transactions that have been upsold by travel agents using the Hotel UpSell functionality.
Hotel UpSell upgrades include multiple combinations of products. Room upgrades enable an agent to offer accommodation in a deluxe room or suite, and amenity upgrades offer add-ons like complementary breakfast, parking or spa treatments.
Hotel UpSell is easy to use. As an agent completes a hotel booking in Sabre, an upgrade message appears on the booking screen, prompting the agent to either accept or decline the upgrade.
Over 1,400 properties are available in Hotel UpSell. Participating chains include Radisson, Country Inn and Suites, Omni, Fairmont, Copthorne, Best Western, Regent International, Park Plaza, Park Inns, WorldRes and Utell by Pegasus(TM).
“We designed Hotel UpSell to benefit both our hotel suppliers and our travel agency customers,” said Dean Bibb, Sabre Travel Network’s European vice-president of supplier relations and joint ventures. “Hotel suppliers will benefit from additional revenue opportunities while travel agents have the ability to offer their customers a better service and earn incremental commissions.”
“I applaud Sabre Travel Network for introducing this innovative new program and know how much value hoteliers and agents will gain from it,” said John Seaton, Pegasus Solutions’ regional director of sales and account management.
Hotel UpSell is another example of the end-to-end solutions that both corporate and leisure travel agents can use to help increase both revenue opportunities and enhance customer service. In addition, it accesses the largest travel agency base of customers to help hotels sell more services.
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.
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.
SOURCE: Sabre Travel Network
Sabre Travel Network, Southlake Rebecca Hauger, 682-605-4098 rebecca.hauger@sabre-holdings.com
