Travelport wins Helloworld GDS contract
Travelport takes on Helloworld preferred status.
Helloworld has entered into a 5-year partnership with Travelport, naming it a “premium” preferred GDS partner for Helloworld branded, associate and affiliate agents in Australia and New Zealand as well as for the Concorde Agency Network and helloworld.com.au.
The agreement marks first time the company has used the term “premium” in its preferred contracts, but declined to comment as to what additional benefits would be provided for franchisees who now chose to opt for Travelport as their GDS provider, but said feedback from agents have been “quick”.
“A key driver in our decision was the additional benefits for our agents that flow from choosing Travelport as their GDS services partner including financial returns, competitive product pricing, greater transparency and market-leading technology and support,” Helloworld ceo, Elizabeth Gaines said.
Despite the new agreement, the Helloworld model does not mandate franchisees to use preferred contracts giving agencies free reign to choose a GDS service provider other than Travelport. As a group, it will also continue working with other GDS companies.
“Whilst we continue to have commercial arrangements across the GDS providers throughout the various channels of our business, Travelport is our premium preferred partner for the retail networks,” Gaines said.
The group also declined to comment whether there was competition for the long-term contract, but said there was an “extensive review process” before the decision was made.
“This renewal demonstrates Helloworld’s recognition of Travelport’s continued investments and expertise in terms of the content and technology we bring to the agency desktop,” Travelport general manager Pacific, Kaylene Shuttlewood said.
Travel Weekly also contacted Sabre, who declined to comment. Sabre previously had preferred status with Helloworld after winning the Jetset Travelworld and Travelscene accounts in 2009/10.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
amadeus elizabeth gaines gds helloworld jetset jetset travelworld kaylene shuttlewood qbt sabre technology travelport travelscene american expressLatest News
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