Sabre unveils online hotel booking tool
Sabre Travel Network has joined forces with hotel bookings solutions specialist Conferma to launch Hotels@Desk.
The solution is an online hotel booking tool for UK-based Sabre agents to offer to their corporate customers.
Hotels@Desk enables business travellers to search and book more than 90,000 properties, including budget hotels.
The technology also enables travel agents to incorporate their ‘preferred supplier’ hotels and have them highlighted during the search and booking process.
Additional features include high quality images, maps and detailed descriptions of hotel properties.
The online booking tool can be branded with the agent’s logo and is accessed by business travelers through their company intranet or a password-protected website.
Bookings are fulfilled by the agent and passenger information is automatically relayed to the back office system.
Hotels@Desk is targeting companies not already using a full-service online booking tool covering air, hotel, rail and car-hire.
Research from PhocusWright estimates that more than 60% of corporate hotel bookings go direct to the properties.
Sabre Travel Network UK and Ireland vice president Reet Wiseman said the technology would increase revenue for agents through transaction fees and commissions.
The solution also enables agents to add value to their corporates through increased travel policy compliance.
Conferma managing director Paul Raymond said: “Hotels@Desk allows Sabre agents to manage hotel bookings quickly, accurately and cost efficiently for their clients.”
The technology also provides travel managers with improved management information and the ability to keep a better track of staff on business.
Wiseman added that Sabre Travel Network is developing a ‘wide-ranging arsenal’ of business management and development tools for travel agents.
“Hotels@Desk is one example of how we are helping our agency customers to identify and exploit additional revenue streams,” she said.
Travel management companies, such as the Advantage Focus Partnership, have already expressed interest in the technology.
Technology manager Jon Smiles said: “The product will make a real difference to the service we offer our corporate clients. One of the major benefits is the opportunity to highlight preferential rates negotiated with our hotel partners.”
Phil Davies
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