SOUTHLAKE, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–April 4, 2006–GetThere(R), the world’s leading online corporate travel reservation technology, now allows business travelers to easily reserve dining and activity options in locations around the world. The new capabilities, available this quarter to GetThere users on the four major global distribution systems, are the latest in a series of enhancements that bring more leisure travel capabilities into the GetThere application. GetThere’s corporate clients booked more than $6.3 billion in corporate travel in 2005.
Through a new agreement with OpenTable, Inc., GetThere users will be able to make dining reservations at more than 4,500 restaurants from a corporation’s GetThere home page. A link connects travelers to OpenTable.com, a Web site that has live Internet connections to reservation systems at participating restaurants. OpenTable seats more than one million diners each month through its Web site service, which is free for business travelers and travel arrangers. Diners can review menu and pricing guides prior to making a reservation, and they receive confirmation e-mails that include directions, parking information and other restaurant details. Diners can include special requests for the maitre d’ and send e-mail invitations to other diners.
“OpenTable.com is an ideal service for business travelers and assistants who organize agendas for executives,” said Jaleh Bisharat, vice president of marketing for OpenTable. “In many cases, they’re booking their reservations before or after restaurant operating hours, when no one is there to take their call. With OpenTable.com, diners can peruse dozens of restaurant options via the click of a mouse, without waiting on hold, at any time. We’re confident that GetThere users will love the convenience of the OpenTable.com service.”
The addition of the Activities section on the GetThere home page marks the latest example in the broad-reaching technology sharing initiative between GetThere and Travelocity(R). This feature enables travelers to consider multiple venues for business and leisure activities in most major global cities, including:
-- Golf
-- Attractions (historical landmarks, theme parks, museums, etc.)
-- Shows & Events (theater tickets, sporting events, Las Vegas
shows, etc.)
-- Tours & Activities (Hawaiian helicopter tours, guided
museum/landmark tours, etc.)
-- Outdoors (skydiving, hiking, etc.)
These enhancements also benefit the growing number of companies using GetThere technology for meetings management. For example, OpenTable.com can facilitate reservations for as many as 20 guests, while a meeting planner using the Activities link can easily set up a team building venue with one of the Activities options. Online meeting registrations via GetThere technology grew by 63 percent in 2005.
“GetThere is committed to getting multiple options at the traveler’s fingertips, and it’s a natural outgrowth of our Travelocity relationship to give business travelers after-hours or team-building business options for their trip that go beyond air, car and hotel,” said Suzanne Neufang, vice president of product marketing for GetThere. “OpenTable’s innovation in bringing dining reservations online dovetails with our goal of deploying automation that enriches the travel experience via fast, informative services. We’re confident that business travelers using these new capabilities will save time both before and during their trip, even as they get more value from their journey.”
About OpenTable, Inc.
OpenTable is the leading supplier of restaurant reservation, table management and marketing software as well as the top provider of free, real-time online reservations to consumers, concierges and administrative assistants. More than 4,500 partner restaurants have adopted the OpenTable System, and more than 19 million diners have been seated through OpenTable.com.
About GetThere
GetThere is the leading global online corporate travel reservation technology, surpassing $6.3 billion in gross travel bookings in 2005. An established innovator in the global travel arena, GetThere enables global corporations and government agencies to provide a convenient way for employees to book travel and plan meetings online while significantly reducing costs. GetThere’s advanced technology works with all major global distribution systems (GDS) and all travel management companies. More than 3,000 corporations, including a majority of Fortune 200 companies that have online booking sites, use GetThere. More information is available at www.getthere.com.
Sabre Holdings Corporation (NYSE:TSG) is a world leader in travel commerce, retailing travel products and providing distribution and technology solutions for the travel industry. More information about Sabre Holdings is available at http://www.sabre-holdings.com.
CONTACT: Vollmer
Mary Kate Smither, 972-488-4790
marykate@vollmerpr.com
or
GetThere
Michael Brophy, 682-605-2565
michael.brophy@getthere.com
SOURCE: GetThere
