Galileo International, Inc., the leading global distribution system (GDS) and Travelport brand, today announced its overriding support for over 900 Galileo-connected travel agents in Thailand in response to Thai Airways’ decision to move to a single GDS for domestic distribution of Thai Airways fares.
According to Mr. Simon Nowroz, Managing Director, Travelport Asia, Galileo disagrees with the Thai Airways decision, and supports local travel agents’ views that such a decision is not in the best interests of the Thai market. He fears that limiting the distribution of domestic fares to distribution through Thai Airways controlled Amadeus-Thailand is against the spirit of Thailand’s open market business environment and is a step backwards for the Thai travel industry.
“Galileo believes and endorses open markets as it provides travel agents options in services and healthy competition that is essential for the development of any market,” announced Nowroz. “Agents have raised concerns that Thai Airways’ long term strategy to distribute its domestic content through a single GDS could lead to increased costs for agents to access this content. If agents are forced long term to use one GDS, what incentive is there for that GDS to provide appropriate levels of service?”
Over the past 10 years, Galileo International has enjoyed a strong working relationship with Thai Airways through the distribution of Thai Airways international fares to travel agents around the world. The domestic ticketing agreement which is currently the subject of discussion with Thai Airways was built on this long relationship and the significant international business that Galileo supports for both inbound and outbound travelers. By entering into an agreement with Galileo to distribute Thai Airways domestic fares, this provided Thai Airways with an opportunity to distribute its domestic content to more agents within Thailand. For travel agents in Thailand, being able to sell Thai Airways domestic tickets through Galileo offers them greater choice, distribution alternatives and the other benefits which flow from having a competitive GDS market.
“We will continue to keep the needs of our travel agency customers at the forefront of our continuing discussions with Thai Airways in order to ensure a satisfactory resolution to the current situation.
Notes to Editors
About Galileo International
Galileo International is a global technology leader. Its core business is providing electronic global distribution services for the travel industry through its computerized reservation systems, leading-edge products and innovative, Internet-based solutions. Galileo is a value-added distributor of travel inventory dedicated to supporting its travel supplier, agency and corporate customers and, through them, expanding traveler choice. Galileo, a Travelport brand, is headquartered in Parsippany, NJ, and has offices worldwide. Visit www.galileo.com .
About Travelport
Travelport, Inc., one of the largest and most geographically diverse travel companies, is dedicated to creating the exceptional travel experiences the world demands. Across more than 140 countries and through a network of 8,000 local professionals and customers, Travelport delivers greater choice, tremendous travel content and cost savings to travellers, travel professionals and travel suppliers every day. Travelport offers a wide range of business and consumer services, from distribution technology and travel packaging to retail sales and solutions. Travelport operates over 20 leading brands, including Orbitz, an online travel agency; Galileo, a global distribution system (GDS); and GTA, a wholesaler of global travel content. Visit www.travelport.com
For media enquiries:
George Harb (Asia) Galileo by Travelport
+852 2821 2252
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