SOUTHLAKE, Texas & TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–July 20, 2006–Sabre Canada announced today it has entered a Letter of Understanding with Travel Source Network “At Home Travel” business based in Canada. Sabre Travel Network will partner with Travel Source Network to promote together the host agency business in Canada that has been successful in the U.S. as Nexion. Nexion is the largest host agency in the United States with more than 2,000 participating members and sales in excess of $200 million. Nexion’s success has been overwhelming in the U.S. during the last three years of operation and Sabre is looking at this new partnership, in Canada, as a natural extension to their current offerings.
“Travel Source Network will work closely with Nexion to offer the best solutions and content to our members,” said Larry Finn, president of Travel Source Network. “This is yet another sign that Sabre is concentrating on strengthening the agency channel by focusing not only on technology but also on products, content and services that can greatly reduce retail travel agencies current operating expenses. In addition, Nexion provides unique marketing opportunities utilizing sophisticated customer relationship management programs and data base marketing services designed to drive business to its members.”
“We have been watching the Canadian market closely and the evolution of the host agency business for the past two years as we have honed the program in the U.S.,” said James McNair, president of Sabre Canada. “The market conditions are excellent in Canada and we expect through our partnership with Travel Source Network, that they will become the market leader in the very near future. No existing company in Canada can offer the unique technology platform, buying power or services which Sabre Travel Network and Nexion bring to the marketplace.”
Finn is extremely pleased with the partnership opportunities Sabre Travel Network and Nexion provide. “Larry has a proven track record with Sabre during the past 20 years, building a number of highly successful travel businesses. He is the ideal partner for Sabre Travel Network to expand into this new and emerging model in Canada,” McNair added.
Travel Source Network was the first “At Home Travel” host agency in Canada established in 1993. Finn said, “We have taken the last eight months rebuilding the foundation, technology platform, systems and processes, preparing for an aggressive growth over the next three years. From day one, our goal has been to be the largest most successful host agency system in Canada and we are on track.”
About Sabre Travel Network
Sabre Travel Network, a Sabre Holdings company, provides access to the world’s leading global distribution system (GDS). The Sabre GDS is a ready-built efficient marketplace that connects suppliers, including hundreds of airlines and thousands of hotels, with more than 50,000 travel agency locations. Suppliers get access through one single connection; travel agents get real time access to thousands of travel products from multiple suppliers through one source integrated into their businesses; consumers get access to a global supermarket of the world’s greatest travel possibilities.
Key brands of Sabre Travel Network include GetThere, the leading Web-based corporate travel reservation technology, and Jurni Network, the unique leisure travel agency consortium in the United States that enables members to sell more products from preferred travel suppliers using sophisticated market intelligence.
Sabre Holdings (NYSE:TSG) connects people with the world’s greatest travel possibilities by 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: Sabre Travel Network, Southlake
Media Contact:
Kathryn Hayden, 682-605-2252
kathryn.hayden@sabre-holdings.com
SOURCE: Sabre Travel Network
