US online travel service company to launch UK operation

Travelocity, the US’s leading Web-based online retailer of travel services, is targeting UK travellers with the launch of a British version of its service on Friday (September 19).

The UK service, which can be accessed through Travelocity’s main US site (www.travelocity.com), will allow consumers to make flight, car hire and hotel reservations.

The booking service is now formatted to take into account UK local taxes and payment in UK currency. It uses the same real-time data serving several major UK travel agency chains connected to the Sabre online reservation system. Sabre is a sister company to Travelocity.

Nominated local travel agents in the UK, including American Express and P&O Travel, will handle the delivery and payment transaction for ticket orders made online.

Localised versions of Travelocity are also being launched in Europe and other major international markets this month.

US-based Ned Booth, manager of product marketing for Travelocity, says he expects the UK service to appeal to travellers who are keen to trawl the quotation system for the best offers.

He also expects it be popular among workers who cannot visit or telephone travel agents during normal business hours.

“We are starting with the UK because it has good business potential, followed by Germany, Sweden and Australia.”

Online UK promotion will be handled by New York new media agency Site Specific.