Accovia
, providing travel automation and management technology solutions to more than 100 wholesalers, travel agencies, suppliers and distributors in 11 countries, has entered the U.S. market.

Currently servicing more than 20 million passengers per year, the company, formerly Logibro Inc., has secured additional financing from existing investors to support new products and marketing initiatives in the United States. In addition, Claude Guay has taken over the reins of the global business as President and CEO. Guay is internationally recognized in the travel industry and often quoted as an expert in travel-related e-Commerce and travel distribution.

“The United States travel market has been hit hard over the past year,?h said Claude Guay, president and CEO of Accovia. ?gIn addition to the impact of the events of September 11th, the travel industry is undergoing a tremendous change in the way travel services are distributed to customers. We?fve seen the Internet emerge as a direct distribution channel for buying and selling travel services, which has put tremendous pressure on the existing travel distribution chain. Traditional and online travel agencies, tour operators, suppliers and distributors need to add services and become more efficient in order to survive. The ability to offer bundled travel services is a key strategy for increasing profit margins. Our technology allows travel service providers to dynamically package multiple services and sell directly to customers over the web or through traditional travel distribution channels. The Accovia solution gives travel service providers an opportunity to significantly increase margins, improve efficiencies and offer customers high-value travel packages.?h

Accovia offers a complete travel automation and management solution for e-procurement, dynamic packaging, inventory management and e-distribution of bundled global travel services. Accovia provides the industry?fs only Travel e-Commerce Distribution Network with a single connection to all GDS, call center and Internet distribution channels. Using Accovia?fs technology, travel wholesalers, traditional travel agencies, online travel agencies and vacation packagers are able to increase profits through customized bundling and selling of travel services.

?gU.S. customers today demand economic, customized travel services that are delivered instantly,?h said Simon Todd, Chairman of Accovia and a principal with The Destination Group, a leading private equity firm focused on travel, leisure and lifestyle investments. ?gAccovia offers travel agencies, suppliers and distributors the only system on the market that rapidly validates the availability and pricing for any type of scheduled air. Without this capability, U.S. travel providers cannot compete in the online world.?h

Claude Guay comes to Accovia from IBM?fs Global Travel and Transportation Industry Unit where he was responsible for management consulting, marketing, business development and travel distribution solutions. While at IBM, Guay also led IBM?fs travel related e-marketplace efforts and assisted in the creation of innovative e-commerce strategies for two premier international airlines, Air France and Singapore Airlines.

 

——-