Sabre boosts investment spend and debuts next generation shopping tools for Middle East travel industry

Daniel Naoumovitch, CEO of Sabre Travel Network Middle East, said:

"In economically challenging times, staying focused on your customers and ensuring you have the right solutions and service for them is imperative."

"That's why we have a philosophy of investing for the future - in next-generation solutions that enable our customers and the industry to thrive and return to the growth rates characterized by this region in recent years," he added.

Topping the list of trends was "airline merchandising" and how airlines could maximise revenue through bundling or unbundling their products.

"This is a significant area of focus for many airlines around the world. Some airlines choose to unbundle the base fare, giving passengers the ability to pay for services they want such as seat-selection, while others are taking a bundled approach, creating a tiered family of fares with bundled services," said Naoumovitch.

In keeping with this trend, Sabre unveiled a next-generation merchandising tool to help travel agents and consumers shop and book travel content in an entirely new way that also fits with how airlines are bundling and unbundling their service offerings.

When booking travel, Sabre's Attribute Based Shopping takes agents and consumers beyond the standard screen showing various airfare options, with the ability to include or exclude certain product or service attributes, varying the total price accordingly. Through Sabre's new solution, agents and consumers will now be able to choose from a list of products and services they wish to purchase.

For example, the information provided on Sabre's Attribute Based Shopping screen will allow the shopper to include additional optional charges, if applicable, for products and services such as seat selection, baggage charges, lounge access, trip insurance, and onboard meals, among other features. After selecting the desired service and product options, agents and consumers can then make a quick and easy fare comparison of flights from a single supplier or comparatively across airlines, as they wish.

Sabre's Attribute Based Shopping allows shoppers to easily compare travel options, with visibility to the total price," said Naoumovitch. "This will make it easier for the shopper to identify and select the best travel options, fully considering the optional charges that come with bundling or unbundling fares."

Sabre's new Attribute Based Shopping is due to launch in 2009.

"The strong attendance at the forum is a good signal of the strength and diversity of Sabre's reach across the regional travel industry and highlights the confidence that airlines and agents place in our business, innovative solutions and unbeatable customer support," said Naoumovitch.

The Middle East Airline Forum was held at the Shangri La Hotel in Muscat, Oman on 28 January 2009.