AMADEUS has launched
a fully integrated, multiprovider
transfer solution,
Amadeus Transfers, allowing
agents to book transfers within
the GDS – a first in the SA
market.
The solution allows agents
to book transfers as part of an
itinerary or as a stand-alone
booking.
Amadeus Transfers launches
in South Africa in partnership
with EZ Shuttle and is also
partnering with global ground
transfer companies, covering
more than 1 000 destinations
in 142 markets.
“Until now, transfers have
always been a high-effort,
low-reward component of the
travel spend,” says md,
Guyck van Heerden. “This
is mainly because transfers
are booked over the phone or
separately from the other trip
components, which means the
bookings are not confirmed in
real-time and turnaround times
are long.”
It’s for this reason that
Rachael Penaluna, business
manager of Sure Maritime
Travel, describes the solution
as a “game changer”.
Bookings on the solution
have the added benefit of
counting as a GDS sector, she
says. Moreover, the transfer
companies have been verified
by Amadeus.
Rachel says transfers are a
key part of travel. “You need
to make sure your clients
get from A to B, safely, with
a reputable company and at
a good cost.” Andy Hedley,
gm of Amadeus Southern
Africa, adds: “When travelling
globally or in Africa, reliable
ground transport is one of
the key considerations for
travel companies and their
travellers.”
Franz von Wielligh, Flight
Specials gm, also thinks it’s
a great solution. He adds
that it’s not a threat to tour
operators because they still
offer value as specialists
in packaging destinations.
Moreover, he points out that
online hotel aggregators
already allow agents to book
transfers.
According to Guyck, the
solution will expose travel
agents to competitive
commercial arrangements for
transfer services.
