WORLDSPAN is offering small to medium-sized travel agents cut-price access using a new Internet-basedproduct.
Marketing director Tim Wright claimed Worldspan Net will cost agents 50% less than its existing World Dial Link product which it has been designed to replace.
Agents using Worldspan Net can access the global distribution system via the Internet, rather than having to pay for a direct line to the GDS’ mainframe in Atlanta.
“This product is aimed at small agents who don’t do the volume of bookings over a GDS to qualify for free access, large agents whose business is predominantly leisure travel, and new agents who are just building up their business,” said Wright. “What this is saying to agents is that if they are not connected to the Internet then they should be.”
Worldspan has stopped selling World Dial Link and the 4,000 UK agents already hooked up are expected to switch to Worldspan Net.
“In addition, we would expect to sign up at least another 500 agents in the UK to Worldspan Net,” added Wright.
Worldspan has also launched a product aimed specifically at multi-branch agencies which it claims will cut 20% off their GDS bills.
Enterprise Gateway connects agents with several branches to the Worldspan mainframe through a single fixed line, removing the need for each individual branch to have a line to the GDS, which will save each one £3,000-£4,000 a year.
Branches running Worldspan for Windows will be linked to the GDS via a single central office gateway server which will allow them to offer a full range of services including printing itineraries, tickets and ATB2 tickets.
Two unnamed multi-branch agencies are already using Enterprise Gateway, which Wright said was aimed at Worldspan’s larger clients including Thomas Cook, Going Places, Co-op Travelcare, and consortia such as Artac Worldchoice, Advantage and Scotway.