Amadeus Launches New Online Resources

Amadeus is offering travel agents a new place to go on the web to find the tools, services and solutions they need for today’s challenging business environment: www.amadeus.com/ineed. The easy-to-use, solution-focused agent microsite is part of Amadeus’ extensive and ongoing engagement with U.S. and Canadian travel professionals in 2009 that includes webinars and roadshows.

“Times have changed and therefore needs have changed,” said Tom Cates, chief commercial officer for Amadeus North America.  “The purpose of our new site is specifically to engage travel professionals and to make sure Amadeus is delivering to them what they need most now.”

Amadeus says that whether they need to make more money, compete online, or find the best fares, travel professionals can now find the business solutions right for them in just a few mouse clicks. After proceeding past a simple landing page on the site and selecting their most pressing business need, travel professionals are presented with numerous opportunities to explore their options and get information from Amadeus.

Travel professionals exploring the new site can read about how travel agencies are achieving success today, as well as access information and demonstrations about the technology solutions, tools and services available from Amadeus.  Pull-down menus facilitate navigation and the site features an enhanced Solution Finder tool which allows users to find and customize the best solution for them in four steps, whether they specialize in leisure, cruise, or business travel. 

The new microsite allows Amadeus to engage in a true dialogue with the travel agency community, providing them with multiple ways to interact with the company—to request more information, tell Amadeus what they need, request a quick call back or even purchase products online. 

Amadeus says future phases of the site will allow agents to specifically type in, Google style, what they need most. The site will then automatically present information about the most relevant solutions addressing their stated business need. The site features an array of new and enhanced Amadeus offers, from easy-to-use leisure solutions and tools to highly customized packages with multiple add-ons and third-party products, including:

*    Amadeus Leisure Specialist Package— A comprehensive solution enabling agents to profitably offer their clients a complete, customized vacation experience
*    Amadeus Vacation Link— The newly launched, free one-stop booking portal that enables travel agents to book high-profit, commissionable vacation travel, including cruises, shore excursions, tours, consolidator fares, rail, activities and entertainment and much more
*    Amadeus Hosted Agency Plus Solution— Designed for seasoned travel agents who desire support for ticketing and fulfillment services
*    Amadeus Hosted Agency Solution— A hosted solution for new agents or cruise-only agents who book limited air travel

The new travel agency site is only one of several Amadeus initiatives in 2009 focused on travel professionals. In March, Amadeus conducted a survey to ask travel agents what they needed most today (http://tinyurl.com/amadeusagentsurvey). In April, Amadeus launched “Talk With Amadeus 09,” an interactive roadshow series with events already held in Chicago, New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles. The roadshows give travel professionals the chance to talk with Amadeus about what they need most, while providing an up-close look at the latest in travel technology solutions and services.  Amadeus now is adding two new cities to its 2009 roadshow line-up: Toronto (May 13) and Miami (July 9). For more information on upcoming roadshows, visit http://tinyurl.com/talkwithamadeus09.

In the coming months, Amadeus will also host a series of thought-leadership webinars featuring Amadeus executives and experts providing insight and commentary on timely topics in the travel industry. Also coming in 2009, Amadeus will be rolling out a new e-Support Center in North America, which will allow travel agents to access support information and resolve problems with greater ease and convenience.

Visit www.amadeus.com.