Travel management company BCD Travel has signed an expanded technology agreement with Sabre Corporation that will deepen collaboration on “creative solutions” between the companies as BCD increases booking volumes through Sabre’s GDS.
BCD last month announced it was moving to a "dual global distribution strategy," by working with Sabre and Amadeus and ending its distribution relationship with Travelport. The TMC now expects “meaningful growth” in bookings through Sabre’s GDS through the new long-term agreement.
Sabre and BCD also plan to invest and work together on technology to improve travel management capabilities. This includes BCD benefiting from Sabre's initiatives in areas such as cloud migration, development of microservices and enhanced use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning.
BCD Travel CEO and president John Snyder said: “By extending our long-standing partnership with Sabre, we'll streamline our distribution technology footprint and simplify our operational, technical and future development infrastructure, allowing us to move more rapidly on our clients’ behalf as we innovate, anticipate and adjust to emerging market opportunities.
"As we focus on post-Covid travel complexities and engage on deeper technology collaboration and joint development areas, we will enhance our speed to market with functionalities to improve travellers' planning and booking experience, including bringing NDC to life."
Kurt Ekert, president of Sabre, added: “This agreement demonstrates our continuing commitment to helping BCD achieve its objectives to differentiate its offerings, improve operational efficiency and grow.”