In travel news from Germany, online travel giant Sabre Group has announced the launch of a social networking platform here in Germany. AgentStream is theoretically designed for travel agents in Germany to be able to engage the social web, at least this is what the over four thousand global participants at AgentStream hope. But aside the obvious PR push of this, is the platform really all that social? It looks more like a push to keep up with Travelport than anything.
Travelport
The Decaying Orbit of Orbitz Online
With the holiday travel season upon us, and Google pushing online travel giants around, the best Orbitz can come up with is a mobile application and a drug store marketing deal. American Airlines is about to pull one of Orbitz’s biggest calling cards and the company is doing research about holiday airport traffic? Just what is up with this online travel giant leaves room for much speculation.
American Airlines Gut Punches Orbitz
Travelport and Orbitz sue American Airlines over intended breakup of ticket sale deal. American wants exclusivity and no competition, while online travel companies demand choice for their customers. In what appears to be a move in protest of Travelport’s Southwest deal, AA aims to leverage their position. Meanwhile, Orbitz stocks tumble when they can afford it least.
Travelport to Integrate and Reorganize Channels
Travelport announces new integration features as the company gets a new lease on life from investors. Travelport’s leading edge GDS technology is in need of an update, as worldwide travel becomes far more competitive. Blackstone Group’s reservation portal forgoes $2.6 billion in mature loans for now. Will the company integrate and expand its global business?