Asia Pacific GDS business eases back
BANGKOK – There is further evidence of the slowdown in travel business. The GDS market in Asia Pacific fell seven percent in 2008, according to figures from Amadeus.
Travel bookings at Amadeus Asia Pacific contracted by four percent in 2008, but the company is continuing to grow its business share in the region.
In the first quarter of 2009, Amadeus expanded its market share by 2.1 percentage points to reach 32.8 percent, making it the number one GDS in the region.
Amadeus Asia Pacific also processed more than 40 percent of all online bookings in the region. 

David Brett, president, Amadeus Asia Pacific, told a media briefing, 
 “In spite of the current economic environment, Amadeus continues to gain ground against its competitors.â€

In Thailand, Amadeus continued to grow by an additional one percent in 2008 to reach 76 percent market penetration.
Despite the financial crisis and political unrest, Thailand visitor numbers dipped by only one percent to hit 14.3 million in 2008. 
 

Brett added, “Thailand has been central to our strong performance as a company in the Asia Pacific region. Our key partnerships with major Thai travel players such as Thai Airways and Centara Hotels have helped Amadeus to go from strength to strength in the home market of our Asia Pacific head office.
“We continue to see major opportunities for growth in Thailand, as it becomes a more mature market with a stronger influence on the global tourism industry.â€
Ian Jarrett
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