Sabre expands in Middle East
Sabre has expanded its presence in the Middle East by entering Kuwait via a joint-venture.
The GDS is to be launched in the country – claimed to be the third largest travel and tourism market in the Gulf region – through a marketing, distribution and licence agreement with Kuwait-based technology solutions business SWITCH.
The market recently opened up for competition as a result of the Kuwaiti government awarding two new GDS licenses.
The agreement comes eight months after Sabre Travel Network created a Bahrain-based joint venture with Gulf Air to offer products and services to the travel industry in the Middle East.
Daniel Naoumovitch, head of Sabre Travel Network Middle East, said: “Our partnership with SWITCH enables us to provide Kuwait-based agencies with more content, new revenue options, intelligent systems and pricing alternatives to help solidify their role as travel experts.”
SWITCH general manager Tim Waddell said: “We’re confident the Sabre GDS will score highly with agents who want to compete more effectively in the face of sweeping industry changes such as the elimination of commissions, and the growing demand from travellers for access to the lowest rates.”
Report by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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