Travelport, the business services provider to the global travel industry and operator of both the Galileo and Worldspan platforms, today announces the launch of Travelport Algeria; Travelport’s exciting new venture providing GDS operations in Algeria.  Today’s announcement forms part of Travelport’s previously stated strategy of investing in Africa and expanding its footprint across the continent.

Travel agency customers in Algeria, will be supported by Travelport Algeria, which will be headed up by general manager, Lotfi Skander, who until recently served as director of sales and marketing for Amadeus Algeria. With over 15 years’ experience in the travel and airline industry, Lotfi Skander is a well known figure in the Algerian travel industry.

Commenting on Travelport’s latest investment, Mark Meehan, managing director for Africa, said: “This new partnership marks an important milestone for Travelport as we further strengthen our presence and provide increased localised support to our travel agency customers in this region.  Travelport Algeria will be better placed to work more closely with the local travel industry and introduce exciting new and innovative products and services to travel agents in the region.”

According to Mark Meehan, Lotfi Skander is well qualified to take up the reins of Travelport Algeria. “Lotfi Skander has an excellent track record, which includes over seven years’ experience within the GDS sector during which time he has gained a deep understanding of local travel agency needs.”

Lotfi Skander, general manager of Travelport Algeria, commented: “This new partnership with Travelport means that travel agents in the country will now have far greater choice when it comes to selecting a GDS provider and I firmly believe that they will be as excited by the Travelport offering as I am; I think this is great news for the local travel industry.

In conclusion Lotfi Skander said: “I am confident that a local presence including a state-of-the-art customer helpdesk and training centre will really encourage the further development of both the GDS and travel sector in Algeria.”