Amadeus updates Agency Internet Engine solution to provide more functionality for Travel Agencies
New graphical seatmap selection function for flight bookings. Travel agencies can add a wider range of service fee options to their websites. More online payment channels for customers: PayPal, AsiaPay and Moneydirect.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Asia Pacific), 12 October 2009: Amadeus, a leading provider of technology and distribution solutions for the travel and tourism industry, announced today the release of the latest version of the Amadeus Agency Internet Engine (AAIE) (Asia) solution that is customised for the Asian region. AAIE (Asia) offers many new features that make it easier for travel agencies to build more effective websites and increase online revenues.
One of the highlights of the latest version of AAIE (Asia) is a wider range of service fee options. This allows travel agencies to pick and choose from an enhanced “menu” of service fees to suit their business model, including credit card charge fees, service fees per Passenger Name Record (PNR), per booking class, per segment and more.
In addition, the upgraded solution is integrated with the Payment Gateway, allowing the travel agent’s customer to make purchases online using PayPal, AsiaPay and Moneydirect. By providing additional payment options, travel agencies deliver better service for their customers.
Also included is a graphical seatmap function, enabling the travel agent’s customers to select their seats, enhancing the online shopping experience.
“Amadeus is committed to ongoing investment in development of solutions for travel agencies, such as the Amadeus Agency Internet Engine (Asia),” said Olivier Froger, Director Business Solutions at Amadeus Asia. “This solution is recognised by the industry as a low-cost, low-risk route to travel e-commerce.”
“PhoCusWright recently projected a 17% gain in the APAC online leisure and unmanaged business travel market to reach US$35.7 billion in 2009 . To date, Amadeus has seen online travel agency bookings in Asia Pacific grow by 34%, compared to the same period last year.”
“Travel agencies need to evolve in line with this trend and leverage the Internet to their advantage. With the enhanced AAIE (Asia), travel agencies in Asia will gain greater control and flexibility over their websites to create a more dynamic and customer-oriented online presence.”
The new features of AAIE (Asia) complement the existing strengths of the solution. AAIE (Asia) is closely integrated with the Amadeus Global Distribution System, thus allowing travel agencies on the existing platform to seamlessly align content and other applications such as profiles or mid-office functions with their websites. Agencies are also able to use AAIE (Asia) to customise the look and feel of their websites, as well as expand their offer to include services such as hotel booking and car rental.
About Amadeus
Amadeus is the chosen technology partner for providers, sellers, and buyers of travel. The company provides distribution, IT and point-of-sale solutions to help its customers adapt, grow and succeed in the fast changing travel industry. Customer groups include travel providers (airlines, hotels, car rental companies, railway companies, ferry lines, cruise lines, insurance companies and tour operators), travel sellers (travel agencies) and travel buyers (corporations and travellers). Solutions are grouped in four solution categories – Distribution & Content, Sales & e-Commerce, Business Management and Services & Consulting.
Amadeus has central sites in Madrid (corporate headquarters & marketing), Nice (development) and Erding (Operations – data processing centre) and regional offices in Miami, Buenos Aires and Bangkok. At market level, Amadeus maintains customer operations through 69 local Amadeus Commercial Organisations covering 217 markets.
The company is majority owned by WAM Acquisition, whose shareholders are BC Partners, Cinven, Air France, Iberia and Lufthansa. Amadeus employs over 8,500 employees worldwide, representing 105 nationalities.
More information about Amadeus is available at: http://www.amadeus.com
Contact details:
LEWIS PR
Julia Lai/Jolin Tan
Tel: +65 6534 7250
E-mail: amadeusapac@lewispr.com
