Sabre powers Bahwan Travel Group

The contract signing confirms the agency's confidence in Sabre's technology and services and allows it continued access to and support from the world's largest computer reservations system, the Sabre Travel Network global distribution system (GDS).

The deal is proof of Sabre's continued success in meeting the increasing range and level of requirements of travel buyers and sellers in the region, through its unique and broad suite of sophisticated technology products - including flight reservations, hotel bookings, car rentals and online bookings. Also playing a part in its success is the fact that it is the only GDS in the Middle East to offer online training and was the first in the region to offer women-only training and to prepare training modules in Arabic.

Bahwan Travel Group boasts over 120 professional and highly qualified Sabre users trained as part of their partnership offering. Sabre is well placed to service its increasing numbers of Oman-based customers as they have recently increased their team on the ground, as well as opening several more offices in the Sultanate.

Commenting on the occasion, Daniel Naoumovitch, Sabre's CEO, said,

"We recognize Oman as one of the fastest growing aviation and tourism sectors in the region, with the development of a new international airport in Salala, our strategic tie-ups with local and international travel agents further enhance our commitment and support of the Sultanate's ambitions to become one of the regions top tourist destinations."

Mr. Shankar Bose, Bahwan Travel group General Manager, "Our commitment to providing speedy, cost effective and reliable travel packages to our customers remains at the core of our business values. Hence our choice of Sabre as our exclusive GDS provider makes perfect sense as it will allow us to fulfill all of these commitments and more in the years to come."

Today's announcement highlights Sabre's continued growth in the Middle East region since it was established in 2005. Among Sabre's other customers are Kanoo, Sharaf Travel and Alshamel Travel & Tours.

Bahwan Travel Group is the market leader in Oman currently driving approximately 25 percent of the entire travel business in the Sultanate through three different outlets: Bahwan Travel Agencies LLC, Sur Travel, and Omani Travel and Tourism Bureau. The three outlets operate in 17 locations across the region and enjoy General Service Administration (GSA) agreements with several of the world's leading airlines, such as Thai Airways, Air France, Cathay Pacific, United Airlines, Kuwait Airways, Royal Brunei and Saudia.