LONDON & SOUTHLAKE, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–June 15,
2006–Travelocity Business(SM)today announced the launch of its first
wholly-owned service center in Europe, and its plans to pursue
business local to the United Kingdom this summer.
As part of this effort, Travelocity Business will move its current
U.S. multinational customers that use Travelocity Business in the U.K.
from an outsourced facility to its own full-service fulfillment center
in Amersham, U.K. The state-of-the-art facility will act as a base for
its European operations, supporting new business local to the U.K. in
its first phase. In the second phase scheduled for this fall, the
service center will support the corporate travel requirements of
Travelocity Business customers that have offices in other European
countries.
The announcement comes following the acquisition of lastminute.com
by Travelocity in 2005, whereby Travelocity Business acquired the
company’s U.K.-based corporate travel offerings, Travelstore and First
Option. Both offerings have been re-branded as Travelocity Business,
with Travelstore now serving as Travelocity Business’ local
fulfillment center, and First Option continuing to serve as a hotel
reservations specialist that provides Travelocity Business customers
with valuable non-GDS hotel content.
As part of the rollout, Travelocity Business is deploying
localized versions of its unique technology and processes within the
U.K. facility, providing U.K. corporations with the opportunity to
gain efficiencies and cost savings already experienced by its U.S.
customers. This centralized approach also will offer its multinational
customers consistent service and consolidated travel data across the
United States and United Kingdom.
In addition, Travelocity Business is providing local agents and
account teams that cater to the specific needs of U.K. companies and
their travelers.
Ellen Keszler, president of Travelocity Business, explained:
“Travelocity Business has been very successful at serving the needs of
multinational corporations in the United States and we want to extend
that success into Europe. Leveraging Travelstore and First Option as
the base for our operations is a natural progression that will allow
Travelocity Business to compete in the global marketplace with a
consistent brand and service offering.”
Jason Stockwood, a former lastminute.com executive, who was named
managing director of the U.K. corporate offerings in May 2005, will
continue to lead Travelocity Business’ efforts in the region.
“This is a hugely exciting opportunity — not just for the staff
and clients of Travelstore and First Option, but also for corporations
across Europe,” said Stockwood. “We are creating a stronger entity
that will ultimately offer a wider portfolio of products and services
to our existing and new customer base.”
About Travelocity Business
Travelocity Business is a full-service corporate travel agency
that helps companies easily manage travel and reduce costs, while
providing more choices to travelers. Travelocity Business leverages
its own innovative technology to streamline travel processes, and
complements this with experienced corporate travel agents, strategic
account managers and in-depth consulting services.
Travelocity Business combines the expertise, service and travel
choices of Travelocity(R) with corporate experience gained from
serving more than half of the Fortune 200 companies. For more
information, companies can visit www.travelocitybusiness.com.
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.
CONTACT: Travelocity Business
Jane Sinclair, (00 44) 207 866 4272
jane.sinclair@travelocity.com
or
Noel Bilodeau, 415-932-1292
noel.bilodeau@travelocity.com
or
VOLLMER
Mary Kate Smither, 972-488-4790
marykate@vollmerpr.com
SOURCE: Travelocity Business