Travelocity, the leading travel Web site, today announced it will participate with 11 leading airlines in the Asia-Pacific region in an expansive new online travel exchange.
The exchange`s participants include Air New Zealand, Ansett Australia, Cathay Pacific Airways, China Airlines, Eva Air, Garuda Indonesia, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas Airways, Royal Brunei Airlines, Silk Air and Singapore Airlines.
The exchange, which plans to start its business-to-consumer Web site later this year, will include a full spectrum of travel services, including air, hotel, car and land tours. It also will cater to market-specific needs, a very important feature for any e-commerce business in the region, given the diversity of cultures and languages there.
Travelocity will be the primary technology provider for the yet-to-be- named exchange, contributing its online travel expertise and industry-leading technology. Travelocity also will be a founding shareholder in the venture, and it will be co-branded on the exchange.
``Our participation in this venture furthers our growth in the international marketplace, strengthens our position as the leading online travel site and expands our global brand presence,`` said Terrell B. Jones, president and chief executive officer of Travelocity. ``This arrangement, like our joint venture in Japan, underscores our international strategy to participate in the explosive growth in online travel by working with leading partners in many regions. Combining our online travel expertise and innovation with our partners` strong brands, quality product and understanding of local consumer needs will benefit us all in driving global e-commerce.``
In August, Travelocity announced its participation in a joint venture with 13 major international airlines to form an online company selling travel products and services to the growing online market in Japan. Travelocity also has launched sites in Canada, the United Kingdom and Germany.
Completion of the Asia-Pacific transaction is subject to execution of definitive agreements.
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