Orbitz for Business (www.orbitzforbusiness.com), the corporate travel brand of Orbitz Worldwide (NYSE: OWW) serving more than one million business travelers, announced today that its new Orbitz for Business International (OFBi) product is now live and fully operational throughout Canada and available to customers in the United Kingdom.
Canada is the first country to serve OFBi customers, and the product is operational and ready for implementation for new customers in the UK. Orbitz for Business plans to next launch OFBi in Continental Europe and Australia. The roll out of the international product is a key aspect of Orbitz Worldwide’s strategy to grow bookings outside the United States and in international markets.
“It’s gratifying to see the launch of OFBi on schedule, and we’re pleased to now be serving corporate customers internationally with this product,” said Dean Sivley, senior vice president and chief operating officer, Orbitz for Business. “As we continue to expand our global operations, we’re focused on offering our customers a true international product that supports complex and extensive travel in markets originating outside the U.S.”
OFBi is a customized solution designed for companies with international travel requirements originating outside the U.S., providing a myriad of features and services including:
The number of business travelers who book online continues to rise in both Canada and the UK. The growing percentage in Canada is contributing to a total online market that is predicted to triple in size from 2006 to 2009, according to market research firm PhoCus Wright. It projects the online market in Canada will eclipse $11 billion by next year.
In United Kingdom, the online travel channel is expected to comprise 48 percent of the total travel market this year, with a growth rate of 20 percent, PhoCus Wright says.
TRX to Provide Ticket Processing and Support Services
Orbitz for Business also announced today an agreement with TRX to provide international ticketing, fulfillment and support services for its corporate customers on the OFBi platform.
Under the agreement, TRX will automate quality control and ticketing for all OFBi travel bookings. TRX will also provide multi-lingual contact center support, exception processing and fulfillment services from their pan-European support center in Berlin.
“TRX has been a strategic partner in providing the latest technologies for reporting solutions and reservation processing systems, and we’re happy to expand our relationship as we continue with our International product launch,” added Sivley.
The deal further expands the relationship between TRX and Orbitz for Business, which currently utilizes the TRAVELTRAX reporting solution in the United States. Additionally, Orbitz for Business implemented TRX’s CORREX reservation processing platform for its U.S.-originating transactions in 2007.
“Leveraging the CORREX processing platform globally and our local market expertise allows early-stage, growing international customers like Orbitz for Business to enter new markets quickly and cost effectively,” said Trip Davis, president and CEO, TRX.
About Orbitz for Business
Orbitz for Business (www.orbitzforbusiness.com) is the corporate travel brand of Orbitz Worldwide. Launched in 2002, Orbitz for Business was one of the first full-service managed business travel programs offered by an online agency. Orbitz for Business includes a portfolio of business travel products for small to large companies. Its products include self- managed services for small business, managed travel services with fulfillment and service support and international capabilities.
About Orbitz Worldwide
Orbitz Worldwide (NYSE: OWW) is a leading global online travel company that uses innovative technology to enable leisure and business travelers to research, plan and book a broad range of travel products. Orbitz Worldwide owns and operates a portfolio of consumer brands that includes Orbitz (http://www.orbitz.com), CheapTickets (http://www.cheaptickets.com), ebookers (http://www.ebookers.com), HotelClub (http://www.hotelclub.com), RatesToGo (http://www.ratestogo.com), the Away Network (http://www.away.com), and corporate travel brand Orbitz for Business (http://www.orbitzforbusiness.com). For more information on how your company can partner with Orbitz Worldwide, visit http://corp.orbitz.com/.
About TRX
TRX (NASDAQ: TRXI) is a global technology company. TRX develops and hosts software applications that process data records and automate manual processes, enabling clients to optimize performance and control costs. TRX is a leading provider to the travel industry. TRX delivers technology applications in an on-demand environment to travel agencies, corporations, travel suppliers, government agencies, credit card associations, credit card issuing banks, and third-party administrators. TRX is headquartered in Atlanta with operations and associates in North America, Europe, and Asia.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and other factors concerning, among other things, Orbitz Worldwide’s strategic operational plans. The company’s actual results could differ materially from the results expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. More information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties and factors is contained in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), which are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or the company’s Investor Relations website at http://orbitz-ir.com. You are cautioned not to unduly rely on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Orbitz Worldwide undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events after the date of this press release.
Media Contacts:
Jim Cohn
Orbitz Worldwide
(312) 260-8413
Jim.cohn@orbitz.com
Nancy Bjorson
Brodeur Partners
(202) 775-2648
nbjorson@brodeur.com
Rolf Schwieger
TRX
(404) 417-7516
Rolf.schwieger@trx.com