INTERNOVA TRAVEL GROUP
Easy bookings for a new generation of travel advisors.
From command lines to click-and-book: how Internova Travel Group and Sabre optimized travel advisor efficiency
In the ever-evolving world of travel, Internova Travel Group faced a pressing challenge: empowering thousands of newly-hired travel advisors to book travel, fast. Enter Sabre Red Launchpad™, dubbed “Snap” by Internova, a game-changing application that promised to simplify bookings and boost productivity across their global network.
It’s easy to take-off with Sabre Red Launchpad.
The results were pretty amazing. Within a couple of months of launching it we’ve had over 10,000 agents sign up.
Peter Vlitas
Executive Vice President | Internova Travel Group
AMBITION
Seamless bookings for a new generation of travel advisors
Picture a newly-hired travel advisor, overwhelmed by new tools, tech and terminology, and reluctant to tackle learning new reservations systems. This was the reality for many recent hires at Internova Travel Group. Internova wanted a solution that could cater to a new generation of advisors while navigating the complexities of of multi-source content, including EDIFACT, NDC and LCC air options, in addition to hotel and ground.
“We have thousands of agents who did not want to book air,” explains Peter Vlitas, Executive Vice President of Internova Travel Group. “We have the new generation of travel advisors who do not want to learn cryptic command. We also have the onslaught of the combination of EDIFACT and NDC, and we had the challenge of: how do we move forward in fully servicing our customer.”
ACTION
User-focused design and feedback helped Sabre Red Launchpad take shape
Internova didn’t just adopt Sabre Red Launchpad; they’ve been its “godfather.” The agency worked with Sabre, providing crucial input that shaped the product’s evolution.
“We have spent hundreds of hours working together with Sabre, working with their engineers in Krakow, Poland. We have, even today, roughly five to six calls a week with Sabre on our Snap product.”
This collaborative approach paid off. Through meetings, chart reviews, and feedback sessions, Internova helped Sabre to create an application truly tailored tailored to the needs of modern travel advisors.
OUTCOME
Sabre Red Launchpad transforms Internova’s booking landscape
The impact of Sabre Red Launchpad on Internova Travel Group has been nothing short of transformative. It’s become an essential part of their strategy, revolutionizing how their advisors approach travel bookings.
“Within a couple of months of launching it, we’ve had over 10,000 agents sign up. The response from our people is amazing. But not only that, it fits our plan on how we’re going to consume content and deliver content to our customers for years to come.”
But the journey doesn’t end there. Internova sees Sabre Red Launchpad as a crucial tool in navigating the evolving landscape of travel content distribution, particularly as NDC gains prominence.
With Sabre Red Launchpad, Internova Travel Group isn’t just keeping pace with the travel industry – they’re leading the way, empowering their advisors to provide better service, increase productivity, and deliver comprehensive travel experiences. As Vlitas put it, “It just gives travel advisors more control from A to Z. Therefore, we give a better experience to the customer.”
