Travelport GDS Expands in Middle East

Travelport GDS, which manages both the Galileo and Worldspan brands, announced a multi-million dollar investment in the Middle East, one of the world’s fastest growing travel regions. The company will refine its distributor relationships in select markets and establish a new direct support network for travel agents in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

Over the past 17 years, Galileo has established itself as the leading GDS provider in the Middle East and is currently distributed in the region by the national airlines of Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Syria, UAE and Yemen (the ‘Arabi group’).  Galileo’s contract with the Arabi Group will expire at the end of 2008 and Travelport has taken the opportunity to review its existing distribution arrangements across the region.

The GDS provider also plans to step up its activity and invest in greater direct distribution through the development of its own direct operations in Saudi Arabia and the UAE and an expanded direct presence in Egypt.

Over the past year, Travelport GDS has increased its presence in the Middle East with the acquisition of Worldspan, which has a well-established and successful business in several key markets and a wholly-owned operation in Egypt.  Travelport GDS has also opened a new state-of-the-art office in Dubai. Visit www.travelportgds.com.