TRAVELPORT has unveiled
the first phase of its Next
Generation Storefront
(NGS) capability.
The solution is an industry
initiative that will enable
travel agencies to display
airfares just as airlines show
branded fares on their own
websites. The ‘storefront’
allows users to compare and
choose between multiple
branded fare offers and
across different airlines’
flights on one screen.
NGS will present airlines’
offerings by fare families
and their ancillaries for
comparison shopping. The
new display will also show
different branded categories,
such as basic economy,
standard economy and
economy plus in a single
display, enabling users to
select their preferred branded
offer for each leg of their
client’s journey.
Claudette Thorne, SA
country manager of Travelport,
says NGS will enable
distribution channels to better
present, sort and search the
airline products and services
consumers are looking for,
allowing Travelport’s partner
travel agencies to display
more flight options and
information, so they can
choose the offering that
works best for their clients.
This offering is particularly
exciting for South Africa,
Claudette says, as Travelport
has a large percentage of
independent agent clients.
NGS will provide these agents
with more flexibility and
empower them to service
their clients more efficiently,
she adds.
“This standard will help
travellers and agencies to
understand the products or
offers they are looking at and
compare them with different
carriers, while moving sales
from ‘cheapest fare’ to ‘best
value,” Claudette says.
She adds that, as the
standard develops, Travelport
will continue to develop the
solution, with the goal of
having empirical data, proving
that it drives conversion and
provides value in indirect
channels.
“For travellers, NGS is about
providing consumer choice
with more transparency and
clarity,” Claudette says. “NGS
is really a win-win for all
stakeholders.”
