WORLDSPAN has signed 450 subscribers to its Internet-based product Worldspan Net which was launched in June.
Agents using the Worldspan Net product are able to access the global distribution system via the Internet instead of having to pay for a direct line to the GDS’s reservation system.
The product is aimed at small and medium-sized agents who do not make the volume of bookings over a GDS to qualify for free access, as well as large agents whose business is predominantly leisure travel.
Worldspan is also marketing the product at new agents who are just building up their business.
One of the key advantages of Worldspan Net is that access can be set up within 48hrs. A hard-line connection can take up to a week to be set up.
Worldspan senior director sales development and marketing Tim Wright said he expects the number of agents using Worldspan Net will increase to 4,000 over the next few months.
He said:”This is simply the first phase in the success of Worldspan Net and Iforecast increased demand in the next few months as travel agents realise the advantage of Internet connection to a GDS.”