Worldspan
and The LastMinuteTravel Network
today announced an agreement enabling Worldspan to provide online air and rental car reservation capabilities for LastMinuteTravel.com.
(Caption: Charlie Sullivan
Senior Vice President - Business Services & Strategic Planning)

Under the agreement, LastMinuteTravel.com will utilize Worldspan`s exclusive XML Pro data-exchange technology to enhance its air and car booking applications.
The partnership will allow last-minute travelers to book time-sensitive, just-released air and car offers as well as published fares and rates via the expanded LastMinuteTravel site, powered by Worldspan reservation processing technology.  This powerful new addition to LastMinuteTravel will launch later this month.
XML Pro, Worldspan`s industry-leading data-exchange technology, enables online sites and global travel agencies to easily create full-function travel applications using XML, a common language for Internet data transfer. Based on the same technology used by some of the largest online travel agencies, XML Pro from Worldspan features a complete message library that allows travel sites to send and receive structured requests and information from the Worldspan reservation system.

“Worldspan XML Pro is helping companies worldwide build customized online travel solutions, and we are very pleased The LastMinuteTravel Network has chosen to utilize this powerful e-commerce development tool,” commented Charlie Sullivan, senior vice president - Business Services and Strategic Planning for Worldspan. “As a leading brand in the fast-growing spontaneous travel market, LastMinuteTravel.com is positioned for even greater success, and Worldspan is ready with the e-commerce products and expertise to facilitate that success.”
“The new LastMinuteTravel.com is committed to establishing itself as the easiest place to find and purchase affordable travel at the last minute,” said Alan Greenberg, chairman and chief executive officer of The LastMinuteTravel Network.  “Our partnership with Worldspan, a leader in travel e-commerce and technology development, is one of several significant partnerships that are essential to the ongoing re-launch and enhancement of the site as we continue to build an unparalleled consumer experience for last-minute travelers.”

Worldspan XML Pro allows online travel sites, travel agencies and third-party software developers to create unique travel applications tailored for any market. Offering features such as customizable XML tags and multi-tasking capabilities, XML Pro makes application development fast and easy, allowing the travel organization to focus on differentiating itself in the marketplace and improving the customer experience. Worldspan provides a dedicated XML Pro product support team and an online Software Developer`s Kit (SDK) to assist in development efforts. 

Worldspan uses Simple Object Access Protocol, or SOAP, eliminating the need for a customer to know the communications protocols and system formats underlying the technology. Connectivity to Worldspan is provided via HTTP over TCP/IP.  Data compression capabilities result in smaller messages, reduced bandwidth requirements, and faster response times to the customer. 

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(07/08/2002) Web-to-Web Booking Through Worldspan

(23/07/2002) Worldspan to Integrate Trip Manager into PNCBuys

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