Galileo International announced delivery of direct connect access for their newest distribution partner, LeisureLink Inc.…
Galileo International announced delivery of direct connect access for their newest distribution partner, LeisureLink Inc. Galileo travel agents worldwide can now access and book unique vacation rental properties ? in real time – such as condominiums, villas and private homes, on the same availability screens they use today for booking hotel accommodations. This partnership strengthens the Galileo vacation rental offering by adding access to over 6,000 units of inventory, across 50 mountain and sun destinations throughout North America.
We are delighted to provide superior distribution to this unique travel industry segment, said Jeff Horch, vice president, Hospitality Distribution for Cendant Travel Distribution Services. Our partnership with LeisureLink lets us deliver a technically advanced solution to the vacation rental industry, and very attractive inventory to our travel agency partners, one which presents sizeable commission opportunities.
Bringing vacation rental capabilities to agency partners broadens the spectrum of accommodation offerings they can present to their traveler, all through a streamlined process requiring no new functions to learn. Galileo has added a new chain code qualifier, VR, that returns results for all vacation rental inventory, including LeisureLink as well as several other leading vacation rental companies. This allows agents to maintain their current efficiency levels while selling this higher-yield inventory.
The Galileo/LeisureLink team is creating real profit opportunities for the industry, added Michael W. McCormick, executive vice president, Cendant TDS Supplier Services. Our broad agency relationships, coupled with our online channels, Lodging.com and Cheaptickets.com, give property managers extremely powerful distribution, said McCormick.
Galileo is an invaluable partner in distributing LeisureLink`s vacation rental properties, said Kelly Tompkins, president and founder of LeisureLink. Galileo`s mix of agency and online distribution is a great asset to the vacation rental industry. Property managers will have a level of pricing and inventory control comparable to that of a large hotel chain, said Tompkins.
Vacation rentals, such as condominiums, villas and private homes, offer great value to travelers by providing a wide variety of unique features not typically found in standard hotels such as full kitchens, spacious rooms, fireplaces and resort amenities. With real-time access to LeisureLink`s wide array of inventory available directly through Galileo`s GDS, agents can avoid time-intensive Web searches to locate properties, and cumbersome payment processes that usually accompany booking such accommodations over the Internet. Now agents can easily search and book these properties, saving time and money.
Since these properties are unique, both travel agents and consumers may want to view them before booking. To meet this need in the GDS environment, Galileo has further strengthened its capabilities in another first: links from a Galileo agent`s GDS display to the LeisureLink online inventory system. With a few simple keystrokes, travel agents can conveniently access Web pages that contain interior and exterior views and more property details. The Web-based information is easily e-mailed to agencies` customers, which can help facilitate the sales process.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
