TUI is to push its hotel content through a GDS for the first time after signing a deal in Berlin with Worldspan. The deal will thrust around 26,500 hotel properties onto the Worldspan system and allow independent agents and online players to book accommodation directly with TUI. In return TUI will also gain access to…
TUI and Worldspan agree hotel distribution deal
TUI is to push its hotel content through a GDS for the first time after signing a deal in Berlin with Worldspan.
The deal will thrust around 26,500 hotel properties onto the Worldspan system and allow independent agents and online players to book accommodation directly with TUI.
In return TUI will also gain access to 70,000 additional hotel sites already featured on the Worldspan network, boosting the German-based travel provider’s strategy to allow consumers to create their self-packaged holidays.
Kathy Fitzpatrick, worldwide supplier solutions vice president for Worldspan, said: “The distribution of TUI’s celebrated brands through Worldspan, combined with our use of TUI’s Hotel Manager product, will result in a win-win-win scenario for travel agencies, hoteliers, and leisure travellers worldwide.
“We are pleased to forge this milestone partnership with TUI, and eager to throw open the doors to a new world of exclusive and niche leisure content for our travel agency customers.”
The deal, which was announced at the ITB conference in Berlin this week, will also allow Worldspan to use the TUI web-based Hotel Manager system for bookings.
TUI head of web platforms, Andreas Nau, said: “TUI is focused on innovative use of Web-based technologies with the goal of making our hotel and resort offerings more easily accessible to the end consumer.
“Our Worldspan partnership will enable TUI to market hotels through one of the travel industry’s most advanced distribution channels, achieve real-time connectivity with travel agents, and lend electronic marketing opportunities to more hoteliers through Worldspan’s use of TUI Hotel Manager.”
