CTI unveils ‘one stop shop’ for content from multiple sources

CTI unveils ‘one stop shop’ for content from multiple sources

PLANNET to give business travellers greater control over travel options Continue reading

A tool that pulls in content from multiple sources to provide a ‘one stop shop’ for customers making travel bookings has been unveiled by regional business travel firm CTI.

The Iata level 3-certified platform called PLANNET is being introduced to give business travellers and bookers greater control over the travel options they purchase, and to offer customers content direct from suppliers they are familiar with.

Customers can browse and compare travel options across all relevant channels and suppliers.

They can research and book hotels, rail, flights, car hire and ground transportation via a single sign-on, and with visibility of all available options and deals in one place.

Content is drawn from a wide range of sources including multiple Global Distribution Systems, OTAs such as Laterooms, Booking.com and the Expedia Affiliate Network, direct content from airlines and hotels, ground transport, and payment and expense management systems.

Content is also provided via the GPT marketplace, which sources air fares from across the globe at local prices, providing travel bookers with significant savings.

Developed by software company Atriis, PLANNET supports the APIs of all the major online booking platforms, as well as having the ability to develop APIs from new entrants – meaning that new content can be added from any source on an ongoing basis.

The platform supports bookings for multiple passengers, and allows corporate bookers to customise the content on display to show only the travel classes, hotel ratings and other parameters that are relevant – as well as being able to apply their own corporate deals.

PLANNET comes pre-loaded with corporate negotiated airfares and net deals alongside airline published content. It also includes an in-built budget management tool that helps users to set and stay within a defined spend for specific trips or projects.

CTI chief executive Clive Wratten said: “For many years, the options available to corporate travel buyers have proliferated, but until now, sifting through this array of platforms, search engines and deals has been a daunting challenge, but PLANNET now collates all the available options in an easy-to-manage way.

“There was a time when tools like Expedia and Laterooms were seen as competitors to traditional travel management companies, but we know from our clients how time and resource-intensive it can be to navigate these channels, compare options across them and plan entire trips in an integrated way.

“The introduction of PLANNET, combined with our deep knowledge of the travel sector, will help our customers create value for money end-to-end itineraries as quickly and efficiently as possible.”