GDS helps agents cut costs through back-office efficiency tools
Amadeus has developed new back-office airfare technology to help travel agents improve efficiency and cut administration costs.
An airfare management system, FareXpert, will be launched in November, and aims to simplify the process of loading published, negotiated and any special discount fares on the system by using web-based technology with point and click graphics.
The system enables travel agents to add their own mark-up to fares once they are loaded in the system as well as decide who will have access to the fares and when.
The technology should also reduce the volume of agency debit memos travel agents have to pay to the airlines for charging the wrong fare.
Research carried out by Amadeus through its ‘Show Me the Value’ project earlier this year revealed administration and support costs per ticket for business travel agents amounted to £13.50 out of the total operating cost per ticket of £32.40.
Amadeus UK and Ireland managing director Stephane Durand said: “From a travel agency perspective it’s a big deal because most are spending a great deal to have these fares properly loaded. We believe this is going to generate significant cost savings.”
The GDS has also improved the e-ticketing process within the Amadeus Selling Platform and is introducing the enhancements this month.
The technology now employs graphics instead of cryptic GDS code so more agents will be able to book and manage tickets.
The improvements are also expected to reduce the amount of time it takes to amend tickets from eight minutes to two minutes.
Linda Fox
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt