Travelport, Microsoft Test Online Booking Tool

Travelport GDS and Microsoft are testing a joint online booking, itinerary management and trip collaboration tool designed for small and midsize businesses with travel management companies, airlines and hotels.

The Journey Manager tool provides a platform for small groups of travelers to collaborate on a trip during the booking process in order to align schedules, compare total trip costs and set up a communications network between members based on itineraries. A Journey Report application records total group trip costs, tracks travelers and notifies group members of others' locations, meeting schedules and travel plans.

The tool also is built as a communication application for suppliers and travel management companies to message travelers through various channels, including mobile devices with trip alerts, destination information and upselling opportunities. A key component of that, said Travelport GDS president and CEO Gordon Wilson, is continuing to build mobile device capabilities.

The tool offers suppliers with a tailored avenue "to get more share of the wallet" through seat upgrades or special hotel amenity or restaurant offers, Wilson said.

A large travel management company's partner network and an airline's Web site are testing Journey Manager, Wilson said, disclosing neither supplier. Microsoft's Hospitality Group, which has been developing the tool jointly with Travelport since last year, is selling components of the tool, focusing on the hospitality industry.

Travelport GDS senior manager of product management Richard Bryant said, Journey Manager currently uses the Galileo global distribution system and by December will add Worldspan content.