Microsoft and Travelport join forces on software solutions
Microsoft and Travelport are joining forces to help “address challenges†for the travel industry.
The two companies, which have worked on specific projects before, are now planning to develop a range of services for leisure agents, travel management companies, and suppliers.
They claim the services, due to be rolled out in the first quarter of 2009, will provide the trade with a new level of personalisation in their relationships with customers.
The pair are also promising “new revenue and cost reduction opportunities, broader distribution reach, and improved customer satisfaction and loyaltyâ€.
Travelport GDS senior vice president Keith Woodcock said software was already being tested and it was now in dialogue with a number of companies about being launch partners.
“Although we have had a relationship with Microsoft for some time, this has been invisible to our customers,” he said.
“In having this relationship, we have had some dialogue about potential ideas more in the travel space,†he said.
But he stressed that the two would not be launching another Expedia.
“This series of software solutions is really all about expanding the support for the traveller during their journey, not just throughout the booking experience.â€
For example, if two people are travelling to a conference from different departure points, and one is delayed, the other will receive a notification and a reminder that dinner has been booked at the hotel.
The pair said the partnership looks to make use of each company’s particular strength.
While Microsoft’s expertise is in identifying travellers, understanding their individual preferences and needs, and building a strong emotional connection through all stages of travel, Travelport provides technologies and services through the global travel distribution chain, helping the trade to drive productivity and lower operating costs.
The two companies previously collaborated on Travelport’s e-Pricing shopping technology, which was originally developed for Expedia and is now available to all Travelport customers.
In addition, Travelport Cache Control was developed with Microsoft, and Travelport provides the Microsoft corporate travel booking solution.
By Bev Fearis
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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 
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11