Sabre has introduced a new level of connectivity for its hotel customers.  Direct Connect SHOP links Sabre ConnectedSM travel agents and online travel sites directly into participating hotelså?f reservation systems from the very earliest point in the booking process. 

(Caption: Dan Van Winkle, Sabre`s marketing director for Europe, the Middle
East and Africa)
The product moves confirmation of availability right to the front of the booking process, ensuring that the initial availability display on agents` screens is as accurate as a call to the property`s reservation number. It also gives hotel chains direct control of what data is being displayed across the growing number of distribution channels available to them.
“Direct Connect SHOP is designed to allow hotels to distribute their products seamlessly across multiple channels, ensuring that rate and availability information is current at any given moment”, said Dan Van Winkle

, Sabre`s director of marketing for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

The development is particularly significant as hotels continue to grow the number of rooms they sell through online travel sites.

“It`s increasingly important to our hotel customers that travellers booking online do not have to wait for the site to confirm that a room or rate is actually available”, Van Winkle said. “With Direct Connect SHOP, if a room is displayed it`s available. There is no need to check”. 
Marriott International

is Sabre`s launch customer for Direct Connect SHOP and the global distribution system (GDS) expects other hotel groups to follow shortly. 

Sabre

Connected travel agents will be able to identify participating hotels by a Cross of Lorraine in front of the two-letter chain code on the hotel availability screen.

“This product not only makes it easier for hotels to market their product, but it streamlines the hotel booking process for travel agents too”, Van Winkle said.
Related stories on ITN:

(28/06/2002) Sabre Launches Packaging Tool for Travel Agencies.

(05/06/2002) Sabre Launches First GDS Merchant Model Hotel Program

(28/05/2002) Sabre Reports Spate of Travel Agency Conversions Across Europe

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