15 May 2002SINGAPORE - Sabre Holdings Corporation launched
"Empowering Agenda," a new five-point plan it says will
"empower US travel agents to better compete in the face of
sweeping industry changes".
Through the Empowering Agenda, Sabre announced several
new product solutions, policy changes and business options
for the travel agent community. These include Sabre
Exclusives, Sabre's first merchant model program for
hotels, which will provide travel agents with a new revenue
stream and competitive content; access to airline Web fares
integrated into the Sabre global distribution system; and
Sabre Magnify, yield management tools designed for travel
agents to maximise revenue.
It is understood a team from Abacus International,
Sabre's partner in Asia, is currently in the US, looking at
the viability of this plan for Asian travel agents who are
under similar pressures.
Sabre said recent industry pressures include the
elimination of base commissions from airline suppliers and
other industry players, demand from travellers for greater
access to the lowest fares and prices, and the immediate
and ongoing need for new revenue opportunities.
"The Empowering Agenda provides real solutions - not
just 'vapor ware' promises -- to help agencies proactively
respond to change in the industry rather than continuing to
react to the latest announcement of policy by suppliers,"
said Eric Speck, group president of Travel Marketing and
Distribution for Sabre.
"The changes in the travel industry have been volatile
and dramatic. However, to date there has not been any clear
leadership in addressing this new environment. Sabre's
Empowering Agenda is about bringing order out of the chaos
and leading a path for travel agents, suppliers and the
industry to get back to the business of selling travel,"
Speck said.
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