Flight Centre Travel Group is growing its equity interest in
Dubai-based software as a service (SaaS) company TPConnects from 22.5%
to 70%.
Back in February 2020 when Flight Centre first invested in
TPConnects, its aim was to fuel the development of TPConnects’
technology platform. It is hoped that TPConnects’ platform can help
shape the future of travel distribution by aggregating airline content
from a wide variety of sources, including Global distribution systems
(GDSs); direct feeds from low-cost carriers (LCCs); emerging
supplier-direct channels; and other third-party new distribution
capability (NDC) aggregators.
Additionally, the platform also provides an NDC Gateway to service
customers in the aviation and travel agency sectors. Travel agents can
access a range of solutions via TPConnects’ universal application
programme interface (API), which can be integrated into any user
interface.
"By strengthening our investment and deepening our alliance with
TPConnects, we are able to leverage their expertise and NDC-enabled
technology to enhance our ability to service our corporate customers and
meet their travel program aims both in terms of options and value,"
Chris Galanty, global CEO of Flight Centre Corporate, explained.
According to Flight Centre, when the company’s corporate customers
utilise TPConnects’ technology, they will be able to stay a step ahead
of their competitors from the wide choice of global content available,
ranging from best available airfare rates to exclusive private fares.
Beyond the TPConnects platform, Flight Centre has also adopted other
technology investments in a bid to improve customer experience and cater
to the demands of post-pandemic business travellers. Some of these
acquisitions consists of WhereTo, a booking technology specialist; Sam, a
mobile chatbot platform; and the Shep browser extension tool.
“By integrating innovative solutions such as TP Connects into our
already powerful platform capabilities, we are better able to support
our corporate clients and propel their businesses forward in this
changed world,” Galanty said.