TRAVELPORT, the business services provider to the global travel industry, has announced that it is extending its footprint in Africa with a new distributor operation in Tunisia. SIR Tunisie SARL was announced as Travelport’s new partner in Tunisia.
The Tunisian launch is the latest milestone in Travelport’s expansion in Africa, where the GDS provider is now operating in 47 countries with more in the pipeline. SIR Tunisie SARL will distribute the Galileo GDS platform to local travel agencies, providing them with industry-leading technology, access to the rich airline, hotel and car content as well as comprehensive training and support services.
“Africa – and especially North Africa – is a key strategic investment region for Travelport and this official launch of commercial operations in Tunisia serves as a testament to our commitment to this important part of the world,” said Rabih Saab, president and managing director, Middle East and Africa, Travelport.
“With its extensive local market knowledge and technical expertise, our appointed distributor is very well positioned to grow Travelport’s business in region and effectively serve our new travel agency customers here.”
In addition, Travelport and American Airlines, a wholly owned subsidiary of AMR Corporation, have announced a new long-term, global distribution agreement. In addition to enabling continued access to shop and book the full content of flights marketed by American Airlines, the new agreement positions Travelport to become the first global distribution system to offer access to American’s other products and services.
Following a period of technical integration, Travelport and American plan to use their industry-leading technology, including both Travelport’s Universal API technology and American’s XML-based direct connect interface, to deliver additional capabilities to all Travelport subscribers, including the ability to sell American’s newly introduced Main Cabin Extra seating product.
Another new multi-year, global content agreement was recently signed with China Eastern Airlines (MU), one of the leading carriers in China, and Shanghai Airlines (FM), a fully owned subsidiary of China Eastern Airlines. The agreement ensures travel agents in the Middle East and Africa using Travelport platforms – including Galileo, Apollo and Worldspan – have access to the airlines’ web fares and published inventories.
China Eastern Airlines and Shanghai Airlines have also partnered with Travelport to upgrade its GDS connectivity to the highest level, delivering travel agents with the most accurate inventory information with the ability to view and sell last-seat availability in real time. Both airlines also intend to implement other Travelport functionalities such as Online Check-in, allowing travellers to check-in via Travelport ViewTrip – a flexible online itinerary tool that gives access to itineraries, flight status and destination details.