Worldspan and Worktopia, a global reservation system for planning and booking meetings, have reached an agreement. (8/16/2007)
The two companies will integrate Worktopia’s online group and meeting booking service into the desktops of Worldspan travel agency and corporate customers.
The relationship will give Worldspan customers the ability to shop and book small to mid-sized meetings from a selection of more than 1,800 global locations, directly through Worldspan.
Worktopia’s interface to Worldspan will deliver online, integrated access and booking capabilities to corporations using the Worldspan Trip Manager XE and Trip Manager XE for Small Business online self-booking tools. Shopping and booking capabilities will be available to Worldspan retailers through the Worldspan Go! travel agency desktop.
“Worktopia looks forward to providing Worldspan-connected meeting planners a better way to complete their research and book corporate meetings for up to 100 participants,” said John Arenas, CEO, Worktopia.
“By offering this service, Worldspan can better serve corporate meeting planners who only have hours, not days or weeks to arrange meetings. Procurement for corporate meetings is migrating online and we are proud to be the first to offer a comprehensive, real-time solution,” said Arenas.
The connection between Worktopia and Worldspan is being built using Worldspan XML Pro, the leading global messaging technology for GDS interface. In addition to providing Worldspan customers with real-time rates, availability, and booking and transaction processing capabilities, XML Pro will also build fully integrated passenger name records (PNR) in the Worldspan system. The interface will be completed later this year.
Worldspan customers will be able to comparison shop for meeting space online, 24 hours a day, eliminating the time-consuming RFP process and phone calls to multiple suppliers. To shop for meeting space that meets distinct requirements, Worktopia´s shopping engine provides meeting planners with broad search criteria, from room type and size to audio/visual requirements, catering needs and more.
