Press Release.

Canada is the first country to serve OFBi customers, and the product is operational and ready for implementation for new customers in the UK.  Orbitz for Business plans to next launch OFBi in Continental Europe and Australia.  The roll out of the international product is key to Orbitz Worldwide’s strategy to grow bookings outside the United States and in international markets.

“It’s gratifying to see the launch of OFBi on schedule, and we’re pleased to now be serving corporate customers internationally with this product,” said Dean Sivley, senior vice president and chief operating officer, Orbitz for Business.  “As we continue to expand our global operations, we’re focused on offering our customers a true international product that supports complex and extensive travel in markets originating outside the U.S.”

OFBi is a customized solution designed for companies with international travel requirements originating outside the U.S., providing a myriad of features and services including:

• Global fulfillment and call center support
• Multi-language and time/data formats
• More than 200 currency views
• Policy markings in the air matrix
• Constant visibility of unused air ticket credits

The number of business travelers who book online continues to rise in both Canada and the UK.  The growing percentage in Canada is contributing to a total online market that is predicted to triple in size from 2006 to 2009, according to market research firm PhoCus Wright.  It projects the online market in Canada will eclipse $11 billion by next year.  

In United Kingdom, the online travel channel is expected to comprise 48 percent of the total travel market this year, with a growth rate of 20 percent, PhoCus Wright says. 

TRX to Provide Ticket Processing and Support Services

Orbitz for Business also announced today an agreement with TRX to provide international ticketing, fulfillment and support services for its corporate customers on the OFBi platform. 

Under the agreement, TRX will automate quality control and ticketing for all OFBi travel bookings.  TRX will also provide multi-lingual contact center support, exception processing and fulfillment services from their pan-European support center in Berlin.

“TRX has been a strategic partner in providing the latest technologies for reporting solutions and reservation processing systems, and we’re happy to expand our relationship as we continue with our International product launch,” added Sivley.

The deal further expands the relationship between TRX and Orbitz for Business, which currently utilizes the TRAVELTRAX reporting solution in the United States.  Additionally, Orbitz for Business implemented TRX’s CORREX reservation processing platform for its U.S.-originating transactions in 2007. 

“Leveraging the CORREX processing platform globally and our local market expertise allows early-stage, growing international customers like Orbitz for Business to enter new markets quickly and cost effectively,” said Trip Davis, president and CEO, TRX.