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Galileo International, Inc., the provider of electronic global distribution services for the travel industry, and part of Cendant’s Travel Distribution Services (TDS), announced agreements with…
Galileo International, Inc., the provider of electronic global distribution services for the travel industry, and part of Cendant’s Travel Distribution Services (TDS), announced agreements with Meritus Hotels & Resorts, Shangri-La and Oberoi Hotels to add their properties to Galileo’s Best Available Rate (BAR) program, which increases this category of inventory to more than 30,000 properties. Galileo is the first GDS to sign such contractual agreements with major hotel chains to provide travel agents with access to the best available published, non-restricted rates offered either online or over the phone via the hotel chain’s reservation line.
Galileo BAR is an exclusive program for all Galileo-connected agents. It offers the convenience of one-stop shopping by giving agents the confidence that they no longer need to search outside the GDS for the best rates at participating hotel properties.
“As a cornerstone of Galileo’s suite of hotel products, Galileo BAR demonstrates the power and possibility for agents by providing extensive revenue generating content right in the GDS,” announced Mr. Joe Lim, Manager of Hospitality and Car, APAC, Galileo International.
Mr. Lim went on to say, “With Galileo Best Available Rate, we have addressed one of the major challenges for travel agents – the inconsistency of hotel rates across distribution channels. With an agent now having the assurance that through this one-stop shop they are booking the best available rate for a client, Galileo has put an end to extra searches and tedious steps in the booking process. And with the increased efficiency, agents are able to shift their focus to selling other components of a trip to improve agency revenue and provide an enhanced level of customer service during the booking process.”
Properties participating in BAR are now identified with an exclamation mark in the display screen. This new indicator makes it easy for agents to identify a BAR hotel, ensuring that they are booking at the best available non-restricted rate.
In addition to Meritus, Shangi-La and Oberoi Hotels, Galileo also has contractual agreements with major hotel chains including Accor, InterContinental Hotel Group, Raffles/Swisshotel Hotels, Stamford Hotels, Mandarin Oriental and Pacific International, World Hotels, Marriott International, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, Hilton International, Cendant Hotels, Outrigger Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton Hotels, Carlson Hospitality, Omni Hotels, Minto Place Hotels, Destinations, West Coast & Red Lion Hotels, Best Western and Kempinski Hotels & Resorts to provide access to their best available non-restricted published rates through the Galileo GDS.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales. She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
