SOUTHLAKE, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Aug. 23, 2004–Sabre Travel
Network, the Sabre Holdings business that connects travel suppliers
and agents through the world’s leading global distribution system
(GDS), today announced the launch of the Hotel Spotlight program, a
new marketing and distribution initiative aimed at providing Sabre
Connected travel agencies better hotel rates while helping hoteliers
increase bookings through the GDS hotel availability display.
Hotels participating in the Hotel Spotlight program pay for
prominent positions generally found at or near the top of the GDS
hotel availability display. Sabre Connected agents benefit from the
program’s requirement that participating hotels provide Sabre Travel
Network with access to all rates, including Web rates.
“The GDS is a principal booking channel for our brand,” said Scott
Farrell, corporate director of Distribution for Fairmont Hotels &
Resorts. “The added benefits of the Hotel Spotlight program enable us
to further enhance our visibility with agents, one of our key
constituents, while also providing them with a consistent Fairmont
booking experience regardless of how or where they reserve their
travel.”
Although additional hotel rates are available to agents through
this program there is no disruption or change to their standard
practices for shopping and booking hotels. This content supplements
existing rate programs used by agencies today. Full access to all
rates is available now from over 1,000 properties that have already
signed agreements to participate in the Hotel Spotlight program,
including those from Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Hyatt Hotels &
Resorts, and Melrose Hotels, as well as several other branded and well
known independent properties.
“The Hotel Spotlight program offers benefits to both hoteliers and
travel agents,” said John Stow, president of Sabre Travel Network.
“Market research associated with the development of this program
indicates that premium placement on the hotel availability display
will increase property bookings for hoteliers. And complete content
gained from participating hotels will enable agents to easily offer
Web rates for these properties to their customers.”
Implementation of the Hotel Spotlight program will take place in a
phased approach. In a later phase, the Sabre system will enable travel
agents to easily identify and search for participating properties.
About Sabre Travel Network
Sabre Travel Network, a Sabre Holdings company, provides access to
the world’s leading global distribution system (GDS) enabling agents
at more than 53,000 agency locations worldwide to be travel experts.
The Sabre GDS, the first system to connect the buyers and sellers of
travel, today includes more than 400 airlines, approximately 60,000
hotels, 37 car rental companies, nine cruise lines, 35 railroads and
220 tour operators. 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 that enables members to sell more products from preferred
travel suppliers using sophisticated market intelligence.
Sabre Holdings Corporation (NYSE:TSG) is a world leader in travel
commerce, 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.
Sabre Travel Network, Jurni Network, GetThere, and Sabre Hotel
Spotlight are trademarks and/or service marks of an affiliate of Sabre
Holdings Corporation. All other trademarks, service marks, and trade
names are the property of their respective owners.
Cautionary Statement
Statements in this release which are not purely historical facts,
including statements about the implementation and expected benefits of
the Hotel Spotlight program or other statements about anticipations,
beliefs, expectations, hopes, intentions or strategies for the future,
may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of
the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Readers
are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking
statements. All forward-looking statements are based upon information
available to Sabre Holdings Corporation on the date this release was
issued. Sabre Holdings Corporation undertakes no obligation to
publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a
result of new information, future events or otherwise. Any
forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could
cause actual events or results to differ materially from the events or
results described in the forward-looking statements, including risks
or uncertainties related to travel suppliers seeking alternative
distribution models, and competition from other travel distribution
channels. Sabre Holdings Corporation may not succeed in addressing
these and other risks. Further information regarding factors that
could affect our financial and other results can be found in the risk
factors section of our most recent filing on Form 10-Q with the United
States Securities and Exchange Commission.
CONTACT: Sabre Travel Network, Southlake
Nanci Williams, 682-605-2271
nanci.williams@sabre-holdings.com
SOURCE: Sabre Travel Network