Dear all,

Welcome to the fourth edition of The Amadeus Independent, our online newsletter dedicated to smaller, independent, specialist travel agencies.

We recently asked ourselves, what are we in business for? The conclusion was simple: we're all in the business of attracting customers... more and more customers and, in the ideal case, make sure they come back to us again and again, in other words, create long-term relationships - which is not only good for our business, but good for the customers, too!

But what makes them come back, what's the secret? Of course we are wonderful people running a great business, and we have the perfect product/solution/service for the people out there. The question is, do we have to add another ingredient to all these wonderful things? What makes the customers stay, for example, with a travel agency? Is it the 'good morning' with a smile, the perfect price, the efficient service, the user-friendly website, the smooth journey?

Actually, it's all of that and more - the total purchasing experience starts from the minute they see an advertisement, browse your website/visit your agency, like what they see, accept your credentials and continue the buying process right through to the completion of their trip and planning the next one - hopefully with your help.

In this month's issue...

...We'll bring you up-to-date on enhanced technology and how it can help you cope with your customers increasingly sophisticated expectations, and we look at how you can make and keep your customers happy with Amadeus Hotels Plus, a new hospitality shopping experience.

We have also interviewed Steve - the Amadeus web expert based in Madrid - who tells us about the importance of a good website, a website that gives your business credibility.

It's hard to believe, but we are nearing the end of yet another year, and the winter holiday season is almost on our doorstep. To celebrate, we invite you to enter our World Championship competition by registering on Agent Zone, our customer extranet! You can win great prizes!

Season's greetings from all of us, and we wish you a very successful 2008 and many happy return customers!

Enjoy!

Michele Pluim

So, read on... and don't forget to give us your feedback!

P.S. Do you have a question or burning issue you would like to see explored in The Amadeus Independent?

Just send me an e-mail at mpluim@amadeus.com