SABRE Travel Network Middle East (STNME), the global technology company serving travel suppliers and agencies experienced an exceptional year of growth across all Middle East and North Africa (MENA) markets in 2011. Last year, the company signed partnership agreements with all major Middle Eastern travel agencies including AlShamel International, Dnata, Kanoo Travel and Fursan Travel and Tourism. The company also opened a new office in Kuwait and a second office in Egypt, based in Alexandria, to meet the continued growth in travel demand through the Arab Spring.
Speaking to TTN ahead of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM), where Sabre announced the sponsorship of the new Technology Seminar Theater, Darren Wickham, managing director, Sabre Travel Network Middle East tells us what’s in store.
What are your plans for ATM?
Sabre has a great show planned! We are sponsoring the new Technology Seminar Theatre and promoting the bourgeoning online travel technology segment.
We are one of the largest travel technology companies in the world, and the ATM is the top travel industry event in the region. Our sponsorship highlights the natural partnership and affinity we share for all things travel. Travel plays an important role in promoting business, friendship between nations and common welfare around the world, and technology is what drives travel.
What are the latest products from Sabre?
Our top product suite continues to be Sabre Red Workspace, which was recently upgraded with an innovative graphical view interface.
Currently more than 120,000 agents are experiencing the Red Workspace. Agents across the globe - in 114 countries so far - are realising the benefits of this award-winning innovation. That means they’re enjoying simplified navigation, faster start-up times, rock-solid stability and flexible configuration. In short, they’re working better, faster and more efficiently.
This year, we’ve also rolled out our online booking engine for travel agencies. This will help them grow their online business. The Sabre Web Booking Engine, which was developed in conjunction with UK-based Billian IT Solutions, will provide agencies with advanced online website capabilities such as quick search, calendar shopping, branding options, and access to Sabre’s popular low-fare search feature Bargain Finder Max. The result is a modern look and feel website that will help agents be competitive in the online marketplace.
You posted strong growth across the region in 2011. Tell us more about that.
We really did have a great year. I feel our key highlight would be our expansion. We continued expanding across the region in spite of regional political and economic instability. We opened a new office in Kuwait, a second office in Egypt based in Alexandria, and expanded our office in Bahrain. This is firm endorsement of our rock solid stability as a regional company and the critical role we play in travel industry in the region.
We also renewed agreements with some of the biggest names in the travel industry including Kanoo, Alshamel, Fursan and Dnata. Against a background of uncertainty, we have continued to invest significantly in new products to fuel our customers’ growth and success, and we’ve continued to do what we do best – provide the best customer service in the industry.
Tell us more about the new Sabre Web Booking Engine for agents?
Many years ago the internet was considered a threat to the survival of the travel industry. Today, online travel accounts for around one fifth of all travel bookings in EMEA, and is forecast to grow to a quarter of all bookings in the next four years.
With over 77 million internet users in the Middle East, the growth potential for this new business segment is exponential. Travel agencies who want to increase revenue need to have a clear online strategy and the technology to convert online shoppers into bookers. We’ve done the hard work and developed the Sabre Web Booking Engine with Arabic language support specifically for Middle East agencies.
How successful has Sabre Red been since its launch? What are your plans going ahead?
The key feature that makes Sabre Red different from others is its customizability. It will never be outmoded.
Last year, we opened up a whole new world of possibilities with the Sabre Red App Centre. The Red App Centre connects travel buyers and developers to expand the power of Sabre Red in a revolutionary way. Our customers will be able to bring new capabilities into your Sabre Red Workspace by tapping into the collective creativity of Red App developers from all over the world. Download and use Red Apps to accelerate workflow, deliver enhanced traveller services and drive more sales - making your workspace as unique as you are.
What new GDS trends are currently being talked about in the industry?
The global distribution systems will continue breaking new ground in travel marketing and selling linking more suppliers with more buyers.
The GDS will continue to be the most efficient and effective way to market and sell travel while meeting the varying needs of all travellers. For sellers, GDSs will continue to create services to help leverage new and more value-add ancillaries to increase revenue and build closer relationships with travellers. For travel consumers, notable innovations will take place in mobile and social media, making it faster, easier and more seamless to shop, purchase and manage travel using these channels.
GDSs will also continue to leverage emerging technologies like telepresence to serve new business traveller and corporate needs.