Travelport has signed a new multi-year agreement with Hutchison-Priceline, an independent company formed with investments from Hong Kong-based global conglomerate Hutchison Whampoa Limited and US-based priceline.com.

Hutchison-Priceline is one of the biggest Online Travel Agencies (OTA) in Asia, and operates under the priceline.com brand covering Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan. Under the new agreement, all travel booking websites operated by Hutchison-Priceline will be processing its online reservations through Travelport’s industry-leading Travel Commerce Platform. This means that Hutchison-Priceline customers will benefit from unparalleled travel content and around-the-clock access to the most up-to-date fares, delivered via Travelport’s award winning travel technology.

In addition, Hutchison-Priceline is already utilising Travelport’s Universal API (Application Programming Interface) technology to power its internet booking engine for air bookings. An industry first, Universal API aggregates content from Travelport’s Travel Commerce Platform – including airfare, airline merchandising and ancillaries, hotels, car and rail – and makes it accessible to developers or companies creating their own travel applications through a single connection. This negates the need for OTAs to obtain content from multiple sources and makes booking travel more efficient by dramatically improving search, pricing and profiling functionality.

“We had very specific requirements when choosing a long-term technology partner for our business. We needed a provider that can take Hutchison-Priceline to the next level – by supplying broad travel content, innovative technology, global scope and service excellence. Travelport fulfils our criteria and we are confident that they can help us deliver on our growth strategy in the years ahead,” said Tony Ma, Hutchison-Priceline’s Chief Executive Officer.

According to PhoCusWright, OTA gross bookings in the Asia-Pacific region are expected to reach US$46.5 billion by 2016, rising 58% over 2013[1]. Travelport’s leading technology and dedicated team of experts are fully equipped to help pure OTAs as well as multi-channel travel agencies capture the substantial opportunities that arise during this period of growth.

“We are delighted that Hutchison-Priceline sees the value Travelport brings to their business,” comments Mark Meehan, Travelport’s Managing Director, Asia-Pacific. “This agreement is a testament to our ongoing commitment in working with OTAs to help redefine how travel is booked and improving customer experience, both online and offline. We look forward to enabling the growth of Hutchison-Priceline’s business with our technology and consultative approach to service.”