THE migration of
Bedsonline in the South
African market is now
complete and the team is
ensuring that clients become
more comfortable with the
new system, says Shaun
Beckley, Bedsonline key
account manager Africa &
Indian Ocean.
It was announced last
September that the GTA retail
brand would become part
of the refreshed Bedsonline
brand and platform (TNW
September 19, 2018).
Bedsonline is a global
provider of accommodation
and complementary services
designed exclusively for travel
agents.
In December, TNW
reported that there were
still rate disparities between
sister company systems –
Bedsonline and GTA – and
parent company, Hotelbeds,
pending discontinuation of the
GTA platform early in 2019.
Shaun confirms that GTA
will be turned off only for
new booking creation before
the end of April. “The GTA
platform will, however, still be
available for amendments of
existing forward bookings.”
To support existing
customers while expanding
the number of travel
agencies working with
Bedsonline, Tomeu Gili
has been appointed Dubaibased director of sales for
Bedsonline’s Asian, Middle
Eastern and African source
markets.
Bedsonline has also signed
preferred supplier agreements
with some of the large retail
consortiums in SA, adds
Shaun. “This is translating
into very good growth, with SA
now appearing as one of the
top-five source markets in the
EMEAI sales region.”
The ability to book in South
African rands has been
included for this market and
a new local 24/7 phone line
is available for pre-departure
queries and emergencies.
“We work with many
partners including GDSs
to ensure our customers
have the widest range of
best-priced and exclusive
hotels deals,” says Shaun.
“Travel agency partners are
offered a competitive range
of commissions for hotel
bookings made through the
Bedsonline website and for
ancillary products.”
Hotelbeds has been
present in SA since 2007
with an office in Cape Town
employing around 15 people,
including contractors and
sales teams.
