Abu Dhabi has emerged as a power house of Middle Eastern tourism

Extending its footprint even further across the UAE, business services provider Travelport has announced it has signed multi-year global distribution system deals with three major travel agencies in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.

Irena Travel, Skyline Travels and Al Jaraf Travel & Tourism have all signed up with the industry giant.

The new contracts include an exclusive agreement with Al Jaraf Travel and Tourism that will see a full migration to Travelport’s Galileo platform across its agency network in Abu Dhabi. 

At the same time, Al Ain-based Skyline Travels has signed an exclusive agreement to establish Galileo as its exclusive GDS, while Irena Travel has inked a deal that will integrate the GDS for the first time into the agency’s Abu Dhabi operations.

All are growing travel and tourism companies with multiple retail outlets and plans to support their growth efforts by leveraging the GDS provider’s leading-edge offering, which includes a direct hub office in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain to provide local travel agency customers with fully-equipped sales, training and helpdesk support.

A comprehensive training programme has already been launched to bring each agency’s employees up to speed on the latest Galileo products and functionalities.

Representatives from Travelport, Irena, Al Jaraf and Skyline all met recently to officially seal the agreements, paving the way for long-term partnerships. 

Rabih Saab, Travelport’s president and managing director for the Middle East and Africa was in attendance.

“Thanks to our exceptional technology and dedicated local resources, Travelport has been able to build great momentum in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain and ultimately gain the trust of such high-calibre travel agencies,” said Ghulam Al Balooshi, Travelport’s director for the Lower Gulf Region.

“We are proud to be affiliated with such reputable, fast-growing travel agencies and look forward to working closely with them supporting their dynamic businesses with the best GDS offering in the UAE.”