Cendant Corporation announced today that its wholly
owned subsidiary, Galileo International, has acquired its distribution
partner in Ireland, TIMAS Limited, which includes Galileo Ireland and the
network service business Minerva. 

 

(Caption: Gordon Wilson
, executive vice president and managing director
of Galileo`s Europe, Middle East and Africa region)
TIMAS was formerly owned by Aer Lingus
Limited (ALL) and Automation & Investment Co-operative Society Limited.

Galileo
Ireland is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Galileo International,
which itself was acquired by Cendant in October 2001 as part of Cendant`s
entry into travel distribution services on a global basis.  Based in Dublin,
Galileo Ireland is the sole distributor of Galileo`s services and products
throughout the Republic of Ireland.  Galileo was the first GDS company to
enter the Irish market and has had an agreement with TIMAS since 1988.
Galileo is the market share leader in Ireland and has been voted as having
the `Best Travel Technology` by the travel agency community for the past
three years.

According to Gordon Wilson
, executive vice president and managing director
of Galileo`s Europe, Middle East and Africa region, the inherent strengths
of Galileo Ireland`s market position, service levels and technology
development will be central to continued success in the market.

“With this acquisition, Galileo Ireland`s in-depth understanding of its
markets, its localised product offerings and respected position in the
industry will be integrated with Galileo`s global expertise and innovative
solutions to provide a value-add proposition for customers.  We are proud of
our leading position in this highly competitive market, and Galileo is now
well placed to facilitate swifter responses to changing customer
requirements and market dynamics by leveraging existing regional
relationships and market intimacy.  Also, one of the key reasons why we
acquired Galileo Ireland was for its people.  Their local knowledge and
skills will help us reach even higher levels of success now that we`re part
of one company.”
Shay Mitchell, general manager of Galileo Ireland added, “By supplementing
what Galileo Ireland offers its customers in terms of service, technology
and leadership, with the global strengths of the Galileo and Cendant family,
the Irish travel market is facing an exciting and dynamic future.  I would
be underestimating the prospects for all parties in the travel equation by
simply saying that it is `business-as-usual` with this acquisition.  The
synergies possible between Galileo Ireland, Galileo International and
Cendant, will provide an unique proposition for our customers.”

 

 

Galileo Ireland provides travel technology solutions tailored to the unique
requirements of the Republic of Ireland market.  This includes TravelQuest,
an online, package holiday search-and-booking system that enables agents to
save time and book more package holidays.  Galileo Ireland also handles all
sales, technical service and customer support.  The acquisition also
includes Minerva, the network element of TIMAS.  Minerva provides a frame
relay network throughout Ireland that supports the Galileo business, as well
as selling network services to small to medium enterprises within Ireland.

Related stories on ITN:

(29/08/2002) Galileo Launches Tool for Travel Agents

(23/08/2002) Galileo Delivers Consumers Protection From Fare Increases

(20/08/2002) Galileo Renews Relationship with The Appointment Group

 

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