TD Travel Group has announced its conversion to the Sabre global distribution system (GDS). The travel agency has switched from Galileo and will be using Sabre Travel Network’s latest booking technology.  This simplifies the research and reservation process by combining traditional GDS screens and codes with drop down menus, graphical icons and the ability to use a mouse instead of a keyboard to enter data.

Reet Wiseman, Sabre Travel Network vice president for the UK and Ireland, said the agency was not a member of the Advantage Business Travel Focus Group, and that the conversion was not related to the decision by that group to nominate Sabre as its preferred GDS.

“There is a perception that if we are taking business off Galileo it must be due to the Advantage decision”, she said. “That’s not true.  We continue steadily to migrate much of the Advantage business to Sabre while at the same time converting independent agencies like TD Travel Group.”

John Owen, managing director of TD Travel Group, said the conversion process had been smooth and less complicated than expected.

“Once we had the financials in place it was important to involve the staff in the approval process for switching GDSs,” he said.  “Sabre Travel Network’s presentation was excellent and our team were most impressed by potential improvements to booking efficiency. It’s early days but we anticipate a productivity increase of between 10 and 15 percent, which is vital for our business going forward. With Sabre we feel confident of achieving this, and more.”
——-