Sabre Travel Network launches GDS in Nigeria

Sabre Travel Network has launched its brand in sub-Saharan Africa. The company has signed a marketing agreement with Interguide Air Limited, a Nigerian travel agency, in a deal that will see the Sabre GDS being marketed to more than 800 travel agencies across the country.

An office in Lagos will be opened officially this evening (UK and Nigerian time – 2 May 2007), but has been operating since January and has proved successful with 67 agencies contracting to use the Sabre system. This represents 10 percent of the IATA-accredited agencies in the country, and includes three of its six leading multiples.

Sabre Nigeria comprises sales, marketing, technical, financial and administrative staff. It is run by Gabriel Olowo, Interguide’s chairman. He plans to shift 25 percent of Nigeria’s travel bookings onto the Sabre system by the end of 2007.

Sabre Nigeria is moving its new customers onto the Internet-based MySabre booking platform, using high-speed broadband Internet connections.

“We are coming into the market with efficiency and productivity technology that is streets ahead of what the other three GDSs offer,” Olowo said. “We’re planning to bring the Nigerian travel industry into the 21st century – agencies here have languished under sub-standard technology and a limited range of bookable travel products for far too long.”

Dean Bibb, Sabre Travel Network’s vice-president for the Middle East and Africa, said the company was evaluating other business opportunities in Africa.

“An ever-increasing amount of travel is being booked in countries right across the continent. The time is right for us to be expanding our presence beyond Europe and the Middle East, into the heart of this increasingly significant travel market.”

Sabre Travel Network sister company, Sabre Airline Solutions, has been working in Nigeria for some years. In 2000 and 2001 its consulting business helped the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority earn ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) ‘Category 1’ (highest safety level) status. Today it is in discussion with several of the country’s airlines with a view to providing them with decision-support and operational technology, as well as consultancy services.

Sabre Airline Solutions also has a close relationship with the African Airlines Association (AFRAA). It is one of AFRAA’s preferred partners and is currently working with the association in several areas, including network management and e-ticketing. AFRAA has welcomed the establishment of a new GDS on the continent and plans to attend the opening of Sabre Nigeria’s Lagos office today.

About Sabre Travel Network

Sabre Travel Network, a Sabre Holdings company, provides the most comprehensive end-to-end solutions for corporate and leisure travel. The Sabre GDS is the foundation for these solutions, providing a ready-built efficient marketplace that connects travel suppliers, including hundreds of airlines and thousands of hotels, with more than 50,000 travel agency locations.

Key brands of Sabre Travel Network include the GetThere online corporate travel booking tool and the TRAMS mid- and back-office solution and marketing service for travel agencies.

Sabre Travel Network works closely with sister company Sabre Airline Solutions, the world’s largest provider of products to help airlines market themselves, sell their products, serve their customers and operate more effectively, from planning to execution. The combined portfolio of marketing, sales, distribution, operational and decision-support technology is unique, and of huge value to airlines all over the world.

Sabre Holdings connects people with the world’s greatest travel possibilities.

##