SOUTHLAKE, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–April 24, 2006–The consulting unit at Travelocity Business(SM)today introduced two new tools as part of its hotel procurement service to help companies increase overall compliance with their corporate hotel programs.
The first tool confirms that company negotiated rates with each hotel supplier appear correctly in the GDS, the main distribution channel for corporate hotel programs. This is especially important for companies with large or growing hotel programs that previously had to perform the time-consuming task of manually validating up to tens of thousands of rates loaded into the GDS after annual hotel negotiations were completed.
A second new tool helps companies avoid the use of unapproved rates that may appear as company discounts in the GDS, also known as “squatter” hotel rates. The capability crosschecks a company’s negotiated hotel program against these rates within the system, so that corporations can better regulate the use of legitimate hotel rates.
After the automated audits are completed, a Travelocity Business consultant meets with participating companies to review the audit reports and pinpoint areas that can be further streamlined. Companies have the option of choosing a standard package that includes two automated hotel audits within a six-month time period, or more frequent hotel audits based on need. Pricing is based on a sliding scale, so that companies with a larger number of hotel suppliers receive a volume discount on the hotel audits.
“Our corporate customers and their hotel suppliers work hard to create hotel programs that are mutually beneficial, and we don’t want those efforts to go to waste,” said DeAnne Dale, vice president of Consulting Services at Travelocity Business. “These new tools improve the accuracy by which corporate-approved hotel rates are used, allowing companies to meet their contracted commitments, which will be key for successful negotiations in 2007.”
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 combines the savings and convenience of online with the full service of dedicated agents available 24/7 who typically answer the phone in 20 seconds, and within 60 seconds guaranteed (see site for guarantee details).
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: VOLLMER Mary Kate Smither, 972-488-4790 marykate@vollmerpr.com or Travelocity Business Noel Bilodeau, 415-932-1292 noel.bilodeau@travelocity.com SOURCE: Travelocity Business