June 29, 2016 TnH Global 0

Sabre unveils sneak peek of new, next-generation travel agency platform

New Sabre Red Workspace promises to transform the way consultants and suppliers work together to create personalised experiences for travelers!

Due to be rolled out next year, the new solution will provide a agents with a “more intuitive way to book travel”, according to Sabre, whilst also allowing airlines, hoteliers and other travel suppliers to market their products “in same way they market in other channels”.
The overall aim is to drive more agency sales by improving how products are displayed via the GDS, giving agents a greater range of selling options, and improving their workflow.
“Data, analytics, personalisation and mobile have been trending in the marketplace for some time and offer exciting opportunities for buyers and suppliers to meet changing traveller needs,” said Sean Menke, president of Sabre Travel Network.
“Travellers want more than an itinerary; they want to feel confident about their purchases and expect a trip built around choice. That’s why in addition to a superior user experience, our new Sabre Red Workspace provides travel consultants with data insights, relevant offers and price transparency.

“Data and analytics are critical assets to increase productivity and efficiency in the retail world, and our travel insight engine will help drive decision-making, revenue optimisation and true personalisation,” he added.
New features of the solution include an improved user interface and shopping displays, incorporating images and video, plus the ability to book airline ancillary products and branded fares. It will also feature a ‘Decision Support Bar’ that provides agents with data relating to fare trends, travel seasonality and alternate airports displayed in interactive maps.
The solution also offers revenue tools that alert travel consultants about opportunities to increase sales and commissions, plus enhanced product information and a simplified user experience which Sabre claims will reduces training times.
“Sabre Red Workspace was designed with both supplier and agent needs in mind. Suppliers can count on improved consistency across channels while agents can work wherever and however they want, moving seamlessly between command and graphical interfaces,” Menke said.
The new Sabre Red Workspace will be piloted later this year, and the company said it would begin upgrading travel agency customers to the new solution during early 2017.