Travelocity
has announced the forthcoming launch of Travelocity Business, a comprehensive business travel service that can dramatically lower travel costs for small and medium-sized businesses. 
By leveraging the proven technology and expertise of its sister company, GetThere
, Travelocity Business will be the first to offer small and medium-sized businesses the widest range of choices to move their travel programs online.

Travelocity also announced that Ellen Keszler has been named president of Travelocity Business and will report to Sam Gilliland, president and CEO of Travelocity. A seasoned veteran of the travel industry, Keszler most recently was senior vice president of the Sabre Travel Network business, which owns and operates the worldÁ?s leading global distribution system and provides products and services for more than 56,000 travel agent locations worldwide. 

With Travelocity Business, companies choose their level of service - from a robust managed solution to a completely unmanaged offering - all backed by industry-leading customer service, including corporate travel consultants with decades of experience.  More than 600 businesses already participate in Travelocity`s current
business offering, and they will be transitioned to Travelocity Business on launch, which is slated for the second quarter of this year.
Dramatic Savings Opportunities
By leveraging the proven, industry-leading travel management technology and know-how from GetThere, the leading Web-based travel reservation system for corporations and suppliers, Travelocity Business will give companies, travel managers and their travelers the first-ever opportunity to fully manage their business travel through an online travel site, providing a great opportunity to cut costs.
And the technology Travelocity Business will use is proven to save money. 
Market research conducted by GetThere indicates that users today can save between 50 and 75 percent on processing fees and 10 to 20 percent in average trip costs ÁV an average total savings of approximately $100 for trips booked online.  In addition, Travelocity, through its strong relationships with travel suppliers, will continue to work to bring cost effective pricing to business travelers.
Transaction fees will range from $5 for online bookings to $20 for those requiring agent assistance.
Another First

“We were the first major online travel company to come to market with a business product, and we will continue to lead with a product that gives companies more choice, more control and more savings,” Keszler said.  “Being able to leverage TravelocityÁ?s online expertise with GetThere`s business travel technology and experience gives us solutions for small and medium-sized businesses with varying travel management needs.

“The market for unmanaged and lightly managed business travel is huge, and the online market is largely untapped,” Keszler continued. 
“This product is perfect for the small to medium-size company that wants to provide the widest range of options to travelers while better controlling their travel expenses. Our company started using Travelocity`s business site in November 2002,” said Paul Plagenz, events specialist for Royal Neighbors of America, one of more than 600 companies that will participate in Travelocity Business. “Our employees can book online and charge all their travel to a single credit card.  I also like the convenience of arranging travel for several employees.  We have been very satisfied with our choice, and we are looking forward to using the upcoming features and functionality of the new business offering.”

Related stories on ITN:

(02/04/2003) Online Travelers Reaffirm Travelocity as Most Popular Site

(27/03/2003) Travelocity Responds to Consumer Uncertainty

(18/03/2003) Travelocity Launches Travel Information Center

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