Galileo International, the operator of an electronic data network which connects more than 41,900 travel agencies, 519 airlines, 38 car rental companies, 45,021 hotel properties, 350 tour operators and all major cruise lines throughout the world, has listed the UAE and Saudi Arabia as its prime markets in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region (EMEA), reported Gulf News.
Galileo deals with 4,500 travel agents in EMEA region, including 2,000 in Saudi Arabia. "The Middle East and Africa represent a substantial portion of our total global business. Our share of the booking market through travel agents is 74 percent," said Gordon Wilson, a senior vice-president. Galileo deals with 4000 travel agents in the UAE, Wilson said, and that is still below target. Egypt is also a key market for the organization, he added.
Galileo will be launching a number of new Internet-based solutions for travel agents and airlines in the region, including a service allowing clients to make direct online hotel and airline reservations using passwords supplied by travel agents. A WAP-enabled travel service will be launched during the first quarter of 2001 in the UAE.
With representatives in 107 countries, Galileo is headquartered in Rosemont, Illinois, and operates nerve centers in Colorado, the United Kingdom, and Hong Kong. The company’s shares are traded on the New York and Chicago Stock Exchanges with approxim
© 2001 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
