ATLANTA and DALLAS, Nov. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- GenaRes Worldwide Reservation Services Ltd., the Dallas-based hotel representation company, has become the first reservations technology provider to fully implement the new and advanced Worldspan XML Pro for Suppliers hotel content product. Developed by global travel technology leader Worldspan, L.P., Worldspan XML Pro for Suppliers is the travel industry's most highly developed data exchange solution for direct connections between hotel suppliers and a GDS, and a key component of the Worldspan Wired(R) suite of messaging products.
The first end-to-end XML solution for hotels, Worldspan XML Pro for Suppliers has expanded to create new e-commerce distribution opportunities for hotels and other travel suppliers. Today it supports a broad range of transactional, information and descriptive content using a blend of Worldspan technology, the industry's most comprehensive XML-based specifications from the Open Travel Alliance (OTA), Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) and the latest data transfer standards for fast adoption and deployment of Web Services.
Serving small independents to large hotel chains worldwide, GenaRes adopted Worldspan XML Pro for Suppliers to create a standards-based XML interface for loading its hotel content for distribution and transaction processing across all Worldspan distribution channels, including travel agencies, corporations and travel Web sites globally.
"GenaRes can now electronically build and update properties in Worldspan with unprecedented speed and efficiency," said Ursula Rhode, executive vice president for GenaRes. "We anticipate our operating and system maintenance costs will decrease significantly through the ability to exchange a broad range of structured data with the Worldspan GDS using this advanced messaging technology."
"Worldspan is pleased to work with leading technology adopters such as GenaRes," said Kathy Fitzpatrick, vice president - Worldwide Travel Supplier Solutions. "Travel companies that choose Worldspan XML Pro for Suppliers have the right technology to boost distribution and transaction processing capabilities, lower operating costs and expand their reach to Worldspan- connected retailers worldwide."
Worldspan's longstanding market leadership in messaging technology for the travel industry led to significant recent advancements in Worldspan XML Pro for Suppliers.
New capabilities, all based on specifications as they are approved by the OTA, support Worldspan Integrated Hotel Source(R) transactions and Worldspan Hotel Select(R) database content for more efficient travel distribution. Transactional information message capabilities in particular continue to expand and are currently available for the exchange of hotel rate information, rate rules, availability, sell, cancel and modify messages.
Worldspan XML Pro for Suppliers is designed to reduce GDS interface development time and costs for travel suppliers. Time and human errors involved in manual processing are also eliminated and replaced with the latest technology to load consistent and accurate product data into the Worldspan system.
Worldspan XML Pro for Suppliers is quickly and easily implemented over an existing TCP/IP connection or via a virtual private network (VPN). A comprehensive software development kit (SDK) is offered to help developers easily learn, customize and implement unique travel supplier solutions.
About GenaRes Worldwide Reservation Services, Ltd
Launched in 2004 by former Lexington Services Corp. founders and executives, Dallas-based GenaRes Worldwide Reservation Services(SM) Ltd (http://www.genares.com/) is the hotel industry's newest hotel reservations and representation company. As the first new central reservation system (CRS) to come to market since 1999, GenaRes' GenaRater(SM) Web-based CRS and related services are provided on an ASP basis and are designed for properties ranging from small independents to large chain hotels worldwide. Laying its claim as the lodging industry's only privately held reservations technology provider that was created by hoteliers for hoteliers, GenaRes' services include: seamless GDS and Internet connectivity, a private-label Internet booking engine, a Web-based CRS with two-way XML property management system interfaces, and private-label voice reservations/call center services. GenaRes is headquartered in the Dallas/Fort Worth suburb of Grapevine, Texas, and has sales representation worldwide, with offices in Bulgaria, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Thailand, Turkey, Switzerland and Vietnam.
About Worldspan, L.P.
Worldspan is a leader in travel technology services for travel suppliers, travel agencies, e-commerce sites and corporations worldwide. Utilizing some of the fastest, most flexible and efficient networks and computing technologies, Worldspan provides comprehensive electronic data services linking thousands of travel suppliers around the world to a global customer base. Worldspan offers industry-leading Fares and Pricing technology such as Worldspan e-Pricing(R), hosting solutions and customized travel products. Worldspan enables travel suppliers, distributors and corporations to reduce costs and increase productivity with technology like Worldspan Go!(R) and Worldspan Trip Manager(R) XE. Worldspan is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Additional information is available at worldspan.com.
Statements in this release and any exhibits hereto which are not purely historical facts, including statements about forecasted financial projections or other statements about anticipations, beliefs, expectations, hopes, intentions or strategies for the future, may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are based upon information available to Worldspan, L.P. ("the Company") on the date this release was submitted. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Any forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from the events or results described in the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, risks and uncertainties related to: the Company's revenue being highly dependent on the travel and transportation industries; airlines limiting their participation in travel marketing and distribution services; airlines altering their content or changing the pricing of such content; or other changes within, or that may affect the travel industry or the Company. More information on potential risks and uncertainties is available in the Company's recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's annual Form 10-K report, Forms 10-Q and Forms 8-K.
Worldspan and all other Worldspan marks identified with a (R) or SM contained herein are either registered marks or service marks or trademarks of Worldspan, L.P. throughout the world.
Worldspan
CONTACT: Patricia Cooledge of Worldspan, +1-770-563-4827, or patricia.cooledge@worldspan.com; or Ursula Rhode of GenaRes, +1-817-722-2813, or ursula@genares.com
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