Galileo International and Gullivers Travel Associates (gta), both leading global travel services companies and subsidiaries of Cendant Corporation (NYSE:CD), today held a Travel Industry Forum for leaders from Taiwan’s Travel Agency community , which focused on solutions that travel agents can use to grow their business. The organization of this kind of forum further demonstrates the commitment Galileo and gta have to shaping the travel industry in the Asia region by creating opportunities for innovative ideas to be shared amongst industry leaders. The staging of the forum follows the recently announced marketing partnership developed between Cendant and Eastern Multimedia Group (EMG), a business conglomerate with interests in media, shopping, travel and entertainment.
Held at the Westin Hotel in Taipei, Taiwan, the event themed “Unlock the Potential” attracted over 100 invited guests, including senior executives from the travel industry,. Attendees benefited by participating in a travel industry forum which focused on enhancing their awareness of generating revenue streams and increasing opportunities through new sales channels.
Opening remarks were delivered by Ms. Brenda Tang, General Manager, Galileo Taiwan and Ms. Jennie Chien, General Manager, gta Taiwan, followed by a keynote address titled: ‘The Taiwan Travel Industry in the Next 10 Years,’ delivered by Mr. Steven T.Y. Kuo Su, Deputy Director General, Tourism Bureau, Ministry of Transport & Communications (MOTC).
During the half day seminar, two panel discussions were featured titled ‘Generating New Revenue Streams from New Destination Content’ and ‘Enabling Sales Opportunities through New Sales and Technology Channels’.
The event received great support and participation from members of the travel industry including Taiwan’s MOTC, the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Tourism New Zealand, the Central America Trade Office, Thailand Tourism Division, RCI Asia and Central Insurance.
Also participating in the half day event was senior management representing Cendant TDS Asia including Mr. Marco Gorin, Market Development Director, and Mr. George Harb, Marketing Director.
“We are excited to participate in the “Unlock the Potential” forum, since this is the first of its kind in Taiwan. It is a great opportunity for us to interact with our professional travel counterparts from the local industry and other countries, since it helps us to explore new ways of doing business,” stated Ms. Sophie Weng, Manager Taiwan, Maison de la France.
“The collaboration among prominent members of the travel industry is crucial for being able to boost tourism in Asia and we welcome the initiative from Galileo and gta to organize such a forum, so that we can have an open discussion about industry issues and a candid exchange of ideas,” echoed Mr. Jackson Lin, General Manager, Delta Airlines.
Ms. Brenda Tang, Galileo’s General Manager, Taiwan stated “By utilizing the forum approach, Galileo and gta executives are provided an opportunity to meet with senior executives from the travel industry, key personnel from travel agencies and other travel organizations in an open and candid forum to exchange information and ideas regarding industry initiatives and developments as well as new technology and product/service offerings.”
And Ms. Jennie Chien, General Manager, gta Taiwan, commented that “Such a meeting format is another example of our continued drive to listen to our customers and deliver services that aim to improve operation efficiency, as well as open up new revenue streams for our travel agents,” she concluded.
About gta
Gullivers Travel Associates (gta) is one of the world’s leading wholesalers of ground travel products and services. gta uses industry-leading online technology to supply tour operators and travel agents with a ‘one-stop-shop’ of content comprising over 21,000 directly contracted hotels and apartments and more than 3 million ground travel items. gta’s vast inventory is available in 27 languages and includes more than 70,000 rooms every night, airport transfers, sightseeing tours and even concert tickets and restaurant reservations. The company was founded in 1975 and employs over 2,300 staff in 31 offices around the world. gta has been a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cendant Travel Distribution Services since April 2005.
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. A subsidiary of Cendant Corporation (NYSE: CD) and part of Cendant's Travel Distribution Services Division, Galileo is headquartered in Parsippany, NJ, and has offices worldwide. Visit www.galileo.com .
About Cendant Travel Distribution Services
Cendant Corporation’s (NYSE: CD) TDS is one of the world’s largest and most geographically diverse collections of travel brands and distribution businesses. The division, employing approximately 8,000 people and operating in nearly 130 countries, includes: leading GDS (global distribution system) Galileo, serving more than 50,000 travel agencies and over 60,000 hotels; GTA, (Gullivers Travel Associates), a leading wholesaler and global online provider of hotels, destination services, travel packages and group tours; and leading online travel agencies including Orbitz?.
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