Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) has announced new long-term agreements with Sabre and Amadeus that build on their long-standing partnerships.
Sabre says the new agreement also deepens the companies’ close collaboration on technology developments.
CWT recently became a launch partner of Sabre’s Beyond NDC and Amadeus's NDC-X programmes and will act as a tester for the end-to-end capabilities of Sabre’s New Distribution Capability processes.
Sabre and CWT have worked together for more than 25 years, with Sabre providing retailing, distribution and fulfilment solutions to CWT across the US, Canada and Latin America, as well as key markets in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific.
CWT and Sabre will work together on new initiatives that expand on their business and technological relationship, and Sabre will continue to provide its GDS services to CWT.
Vince Chirico, senior VP of global network and technology partners at CWT, commented: “Enhancing our strategic partnership with Sabre is an important step for CWT that reinforces our mutual growth. We expect to realise accelerated innovation, operational simplification and gains in digital user experience as a result of this expanded relationship.”
Wade Jones, president of Sabre Travel Network, added: “We are completing our technology evolution to deliver the world’s most advanced travel platform, which enables us to offer CWT faster innovation and more flexible solutions infused with data-driven insights. We stand ready to help CWT achieve its mission to grow and optimise their business, while making business travel easier.”
Rajiv Rajian, executive vice president of business travel and travel channels at Amadeus, said: “Travellers today are looking for consistency, transparency and choice, and the right technology is key to meeting these needs. We are excited to expand our long-term partnership with Carlson Wagonlit Travel to ensure it has the leading technology supported by the richest content to serve the needs of business travellers today and tomorrow.”
Julian Walker, head of external market communications and PR at CWT, said: “I can confirm that we have entered into long-term agreements with both Sabre and Amadeus, deepening our business partnerships with them. This is part of a strategic platform decision designed to simplify our operational and technical infrastructure and accelerate our innovation and execution on behalf of our clients and partners.”
When asked if a similar deal would be struck with Travelport – the world's third leading GDS – Walker commented: “We have high regard for Travelport and its capabilities. However, we are confident that the direction we have taken is the right one for our business and our customers.”
carlsonwagonlit.com; sabre.com