Sabre Travel Network was awarded the Business Travel Show Gold Award for Innovation last night (6 February) for its ”Sabre Virtually There” mobile service.
The company beat the six other Innovation Award category winners to scoop the overall show prize for its product which feeds business travellers fully up-to-date itineraries and trip information to their mobile telephones.
Sabre commercial director UK & Ireland David Allott, said: ”We are absolutely thrilled to be recognised for the innovation that we put into this ” this has real meaning for our travellers.”
The system gives travellers essential real-time travel data such as flight departure and arrival times, and notification alerts. A feature is planned for the coming months where ” in the case of cancellations or delays ” you will be sent alternative flight times, with a telephone link so you can call your agent directly to amend your plans.
”There are probably more than 3bn mobile phones in use in world, and many are web-enabled, so this is a real benefit,” said Allott. ”Who doesn”t go travelling with their mobile?
”We looked at what”s going on in the market, and our survey said 42% of business travellers indicated their biggest pet peeve is delays with travel plans, so this enhancement will help ease the frustration. If you”re in a busy airport you”ll get your information well before you get to the board. You”re not going to have to chase around looking at the displays.
”It”s also a value added service for the agencies, because travellers are kept more up to date and they will value that, plus it means the agency doesn”t have to call them to give information, they can send it in an SMS,” he said.
”We think it”s a really targeted application, and a great enhancement to Sabre”s Virtually There web site.”
The service also provides city guides, maps ” so you don”t have to worry about directions from airport to hotel, for instance ” weather updates and other information.
BTS event director, David Chapple, said: ”We”re delighted that Sabre Travel Network have won this and been recognised for their hard work by their peers.”