US rail operator Amtrak is to put its agent and operator booking tools under a single web address from the start of 2010 to simplify trade sales.
The rail company’s amtrakagentsupport.com website will become a one-stop shop for both agents and operators from January 1.
Amtrak senior director travel industry sales Craig White said: “Any agent or operator can sign up and they will have access.
“There were a lot of websites to remember, so they will be brought under the support.com name by January.
“Amtrak makes only about 2% of its sales from abroad and hopes that simplified booking, agents’ webinars and a programme of fam trips in 2010 will increase this.”
It had a record year in 2008, but predicts that 2009 will see it carry around 27 million passengers, about 5% less than last year.
White said: “Last year was a banner year, but once we started to see a decline in the economy, we saw a downturn, but the UK has managed to stay strong for us.
“A few of the UK operators have not experienced the decline that we have seen in international travel because the pound is still strong against the dollar.”
White also said the launch last year of a basic eight segment/15-day pass for $389 had helped matters, as it had replaced a more complicated zonal system of travel that had put off some customers. Amtrack pays agents 8% on all bookings. It offers operators a 15% commission.