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Amadeus, a leading provider of technology to the travel and tourism industry, announced that easyCruise, part of the easyGroup, is now available in its system for both the UK and the US markets. The deal allows easyCruise to target the travel agency distribution channel, reducing their dependency on direct-consumer bookings, and also providing agents with a real value for money option for their customers.
Paul Ellerby, Sales & Marketing Director UK & US at easyCruise, said: “We are excited to be extending our content to Amadeus Cruise and Cruise API users. Amadeus is providing us with access to a large network of cruise specialists and travel agents, which is key to our growth strategy. In the current economic climate, it is important for cruise lines to reduce costs whilst improving distribution and achieving market share growth. We are confident that Amadeus’ proven Cruise booking solutions will help easyCruise reach its ambitious goals.
easyCruise is now distributed in both markets on the browser-based Amadeus Cruise desktop sales solution for travel professionals, as well as the Cruise Application Programming Interface (API) for online sales. This agreement makes Amadeus the first GDS distributing easyCruise content and in parallel to the launch with Amadeus, easyCruise plans to actively target the travel agency distribution channel which the company hopes will spread the balance between industry and direct-consumer bookings.
Stephen Wilbanks, Head of Sales at Amadeus Cruise, said: “We are delighted that easyCruise has chosen Amadeus as its travel technology partner. As a leading provider of selling systems that highlight customer choice and travel agents’ expertise, Amadeus now uniquely offers 19 cruise lines. These cruise lines offer a range of products to suit the discerning, family oriented and price-conscious cruise passenger. Cruise holidays are gaining popularity, and by placing itself among the well established brands already benefiting from distribution via Amadeus, easyCruise will be a welcome addition to the Amadeus Cruise portfolio.”
Despite the industry economic global downturn, 2008 was an extremely successful year for Amadeus Cruise, where a 20% growth in bookings over 2007 was achieved. This success can be attributed to the continued ability to distribute over 90% of the global available cabins through the unrivalled offering of 19 cruise lines, the highest of all GDSs. It is through partnerships such as this one that Amadeus continues to confirm its leadership in global cruise distribution for both cruise providers and bookers.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
