Worldspan Launches New Ferry Booking Solution in UK and Ireland

LONDON, 15 July 2003 – Worldspan, a leading technology provider for travel, today announced availability of Worldspan FerrySM, its web-based ferry booking solution for travel agents in the UK & Ireland. The solution is designed to cut agents’ time and effort when searching and booking ferry trips in Europe.

Worldspan FerrySM is fast, easy to use, and has excellent fares according to Janet Bodkin, Sterling Travel Management, Operations Manager. “With all the ferry operators in one place, we can now research and complete a booking within minutes, rather than half a day. We also have access to very competitive fares, so for the first time we actually have the option to give customers bigger discounts.”

The innovative web-based technology deployed in Worldspan FerrySM was developed by ferry reservation services company Entee Global Services. It is available free of charge to Worldspan agents, with guaranteed commissions paid by Entee. Agents can quickly access the dedicated website from either a link in Worldspan Go! Res, or via a separate web address. For online travel companies, Worldspan FerrySM can be easily integrated into web sites.

David Taylor, Worldspan Director UK & Ireland and Strategy EMEAA, said: “The UK & Ireland are the first phase of our planned solution release across Europe. The popularity of European ferry services, for both leisure and business travellers, is increasing year on year – in 2002, nearly 16 million passengers preferred to travel by ferry. To service the demands of this market, agents need a fast, secure tool to access and book ferry services.”

Currently, more than 28 European ferry operators can be accessed through the solution, including Brittany Ferries, Condor Ferries, Eurotunnel, Hoverspeed, Irish Ferries, and all P&O brands, Stena Line, Scandlines, Hellenic Mediterranean, FjordLine and SeaFrance. More operators are being added on an ongoing basis.

This latest development for agents reflects Worldspan’s commitment to, and expertise in, using the Internet for travel. It was responsible for many of the early developments in this area, and currently leads the global travel e-commerce market, handling over 50% of all global online travel agency bookings.

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About Worldspan:
Worldspan is a leader in travel technology resources for travel suppliers, travel agencies, e-commerce sites and corporations worldwide. Utilizing fast, flexible and efficient networks and computing technologies, Worldspan provides comprehensive electronic data services linking approximately 800 travel suppliers around the world to a global customer base. The company offers industry-leading Fares and Pricing technology such as Worldspan e-PricingSM, hosting solutions, and customized travel products, including Worldspan Travel EnginuitySM. Worldspan enables travel suppliers, distributors and corporations to reduce costs and increase productivity with best-in-class technology like Worldspan Go!® and Worldspan Trip Manager®. Worldspan is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Additional information is available at http://www.worldspan.com

For further information:

Patricia Cooledge, Worldspan,Tel: +1 770-563-7885, Email: [email protected]

Blair Drummond or Lis Griffiths, Four Communications, Tel: +44 (0) 870 420 3218 / 3234, Email: [email protected], or [email protected].