HONG KONG, Jan. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Galileo International, a leading
provider of electronic global distribution services (GDS) for the travel
industry, today announced the official opening of offices in Ho Chi Minh City
and Hanoi, Vietnam. With the addition of this new geographic presence, Galileo
is now providing electronic global distribution services for the travel
industry in 18 markets in Asia Pacific.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000208/GALILEO )
Vietnam's travel industry is growing rapidly. Outbound travel has shown
double-digit growth in recent years with increasing trade in the Asian region.
The 2001 trade agreement with the US and expected entry into the World Trade
Organization are providing further stimulus. Galileo plans to support the
growth of Vietnam's travel industry by increasing the level of automation
among travel agents.
"We have long been the leading GDS in this region, and our expansion into
Vietnam extends our leadership position," said Janie Kaung, executive vice
president and managing director of Galileo's Asia Pacific region.
"This is a win-win situation. We will bring choice as well as superior
service and support to the country's travel agency community. Vietnam's travel
industry can now benefit from the presence of the region's leading GDS - and
the first to offer a truly global system to the Vietnamese travel agent.
Galileo, meanwhile, is well positioned to capture a considerable share of
Vietnam's outbound bookings. This significantly improves our competitive
position in Asia Pacific, and we look forward to creating a strong, long-term
base in Vietnam."
"As a global organisation with a presence in 116 countries, Galileo is
well equipped to support Vietnam's developing air travel and tourism industry
by offering innovative products to Vietnam's travel agents," said General
Manager Mr. Nguyen Thanh Long. "Looking ahead, Galileo's online products will
increase usage of the Internet in Vietnam's travel sector and help travel
agents improve productivity, profitability and service, as Galileo has done in
many other countries."
Mr. Long has been in the airline industry for nearly 10 years. He
currently leads a staff of 15, providing help-desk, training and technical
services. Headquartered in Ho Chi Minh City and with an additional office in
Hanoi, Galileo's new offices took their first bookings in the third quarter of
2002. Galileo has already automated a number of travel agents.
About Galileo International
Galileo International is a global technology leader. Its core business is
providing electronic global distribution services for the travel industry
through its computerized reservation systems, leading-edge products and
innovative Internet-based solutions. Galileo is a value-added distributor of
travel inventory dedicated to supporting its travel supplier, agency and
corporate customers and, through them, expanding traveler choice. A
subsidiary of Cendant Corporation (NYSE: CD), Galileo is part of Cendant's
Travel Distribution Services Division and is headquartered in Parsippany, New
Jersey, USA, with offices worldwide. Visit http://www.galileo.com .
SOURCE Galileo International
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CONTACT:
Stuart Ridsdale of Galileo Asia,
+852-2821-2301, stuart.ridsdale@galileo.com , or Andrea Steffy of
Galileo International, +1-847-518-4973, andrea.steffy@galileo.com
NOTE TO EDITORS: There are currently 15 IATA carriers operating
out of Vietnam and four non-IATA carriers. IATA Carriers:
Aeroflot, Air France, All Nippon Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways,
China Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Eva Air, Lufthansa, Thai
Airways International, Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines,
Philippine Airlines, Japan Airlines, Korean Air and Shanghai
Airlines. Non-IATA Carriers: Vietnam Airlines, Pacific Airlines,
Lao Aviation and Siem Reap Airways. Outbound travel in Vietnam:
Outbound travel has been growing steadily. WTO figures recorded
296,562 outbound travellers in 1999, a 70% increase on the figure
for 1995.
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