Worldspan to tap into no-frills sector

Worldspan is making a new push into the UK and Europe with a product specifically developed for the market on this side of the Atlantic.

The GDS’s vice president agency marketing worldwide travel distribution, Cheryl Weldon, said a new webfares search facility, which will enable agents to tap into the booming no-frills sector, will be among the first new Euro tools to appear.

Worldspan is also pushing forward with a plan to become totally Internet Protocol (IP)-based in the UK and Europe. Under the code-name Project Eclipse, Worldspan is securing an IP infrastructure to serve the region while also working on a rich browser-based product to be delivered over the Internet.

With the Windows-based system heading for oblivion, Worldspan will offer agents seven levels of connection, starting with the simplest through an Internet Service Provider (ISP).

Roll-out for the UK is scheduled for the first quarter of next year and agents who need upgraded computers to cope will be offered help through a commercial agreement with hardware supplier Dell, which will mean discounts of up to 30%.