The TUI Group and Worldspan are entering into a partnership, by which TUI hotel content, featuring up to 26,500 properties, will become available through the Worldspan global distribution system (GDS). The intended new relationship will mark the first time that TUI properties will be marketed through a GDS, and will provide Worldspan travel agencies access to substantial new leisure and destination content.

As part of the intended partnership, TUI will gain access to more than 70,000 properties currently available through the Worldspan GDS, for distribution by TUI. In addition, Worldspan will gain use of TUI’s Web-based Hotel Manager product to give additional hoteliers access to this advanced, quick-to-market solution for distributing their properties through both Worldspan and the TUI booking platform.

“The distribution of TUI’s celebrated brands through Worldspan, combined with our use of TUI’s Hotel Manager product, will result in a win-win-win scenario for travel agencies, hoteliers, and leisure travellers worldwide,” said Kathy Fitzpatrick, Worldspan vice president - Worldwide Travel Supplier Solutions. “We are pleased to forge this milestone partnership with TUI, and eager to throw open the doors to a new world of exclusive and niche leisure content for our travel agency customers.”

“TUI is focused on innovative use of Web-based technologies with the goal of making our hotel and resort offerings more easily accessible to the end consumer,” said Andreas Nau, head of Web Platforms - Tourism for TUI AG. “Our Worldspan partnership will enable TUI to market hotels through one of the travel industry’s most advanced distribution channels, achieve real-time connectivity with travel agents, and lend electronic marketing opportunities to more hoteliers through Worldspan’s use of TUI Hotel Manager.”

TUI Hotel Manager is an extranet hotel contracting and administration solution that enables hoteliers, including chains and independent properties of any size, to build hotel information and add their content, rates and inventory via the Internet into TUI’s hotel database, and soon, Worldspan’s.
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