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
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Mary Kate Smither, 972-488-4790
marykate@vollmerpr.com
SOURCE: Travelocity Business
