Datalex signs Japanese deal

Datalex has just signed a deal with one of the largest agencies in Japan, JTB Corp. According to Damian Hickey, senior vice president of Business Development for Datalex, one of the biggest areas of growth in business travel services is the ability to connect many different types of content. “Traditionally, agents were really under the control of GDS because they were the suppliers for technology,” he said. “A lot of agencies today are looking for more independent relationships where they have access to more content.” Datalex recently was contracted to supply their new travel agency technology platform for JTB Corp, said to be Japan’s leading travel agency group. Mr Hickey points out the contract is the first of its kind to be awarded by JTB to a foreign technology company. But he expects many more in the future. The Dublin-based Datalex provides technology to global travel industry suppliers and distributors that enable them to aggregate and package a broad range of travel components for distribution across many sales channels. Mr Hickey admits the company’s technology tends to be on the high end of the market, but the company offers alternatives in a pilot program. “Rather than offer the technology to customers to deploy and operate themselves, we’re offering it on a subscription basis. So an agency can sign up and have monthly access without having to worry about installing or operating costs,” he said. The cost is less and it’s easier to use, he said. Datalex’s diverse customer includes Delta Airlines, Disney Cruise Lines, Air Canada, Aer Lingus and the California State Automobile Association. Report by David Wilkening