Darren Wickham (right) and product  manager Aamir Saleem Darren Wickham (right) and product manager Aamir Saleem

Technology company Sabre Travel Network Middle East has announced the launch of its new booking engine for use by travel agencies int he Middle East and Africa.

The Bahrain-headquartered firm worked with UK-based Billian IT Solutions to develop the platform which can work behind the websites of different agencies.

It will include the ability to feature quick searches, calendar shopping and branding options, as well as access to Sabre’s Bargain Finder Max low-fare search.

The platform will also allow for real-time searches, including access to airline seat maps, and will cover flights, hotels and car hire.

Darren Wickham, managing director at Sabre, said: “Many years ago the internet was considered a threat to the survival of the travel industry. Today, online travel accounts for around one fifth of all travel bookings in EMEA, and is forecast to grow to a quarter of all bookings in the next four years.

“With over 77 million internet users in the Middle East, the growth potential for this new business segment is exponential. Travel agencies who want to increase revenue need to have a clear online strategy and the technology to convert online shoppers into bookers. We’ve done the hard work and developed the Sabre Web Booking Engine with Arabic language support specifically for Middle East agencies, highlighting the commitment we have to serve this region.”

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