The travel industry is undergoing a significant transformation, particularly in the realm of booking platforms designed for new travel advisors. One noteworthy development is the launch of Sabre Red Launchpad, a user-friendly system that enables travel agencies to simplify the booking process. Developed in collaboration with Internova Travel Group, this innovative platform offers an intuitive experience that caters specifically to the needs of emerging travel advisors, allowing them to efficiently book air travel, hotels, and car rentals without needing GDS codes.
Historically, booking systems for travel professionals could be daunting, emphasizing complex codes and procedures that often deterred new entrants into the field. Sabre Red Launchpad aims to break these barriers by providing a “consumer-grade” shopping experience. The platform reflects a significant paradigm shift in how travel bookings are approached, promoting accessibility and ease of use. The initiative is not merely a technological update; it embodies a broader movement toward improving client service and unlocking financial opportunities for travel advisors.
Kathy Morgan, senior vice president of product management and distribution experience at Sabre Travel Solutions, emphasizes the objective of this platform: to empower travel advisors to generate revenue from day one. This approach significantly reduces the training time traditionally required for new technology, enabling advisors to immerse themselves in bookings almost immediately.
The partnership between Sabre and Internova has proven fruitful, as evidenced by the rapid adoption of the platform since its pilot phase in April. Internova, a prominent name in the travel sector, co-branded the platform as Internova SNAP, successfully integrating it within the Travel Leaders Network. As of last month, over 300 agencies and 13,000 advisors have already adopted the tool, leading to a notable increase in sales volume. This achievement underscores the potential of the Launchpad as a vital tool for enhancing profitability and client service.
Peter Vlitas, Internova’s executive vice president of partner relations, highlighted the need for a solution suitable for advisors unfamiliar with traditional GDS systems. By working closely with Sabre’s development team, the two entities created a product specifically designed to meet the evolving needs of travel advisors, paving the way for more streamlined operations in airline retailing.
Early Adoption and Success Stories
One of the success stories emerging from the launch is the 1000 Mile Travel Group, an agency that adopted the platform early under the banner “1000Access.” The results have been staggering — within just six months, they onboarded 40% of North American advisors, collectively amassing over $120,000 in airline commissions. Co-founder and CEO Ben Ross views this as merely the beginning of what is possible with Launchpad, indicating strong confidence in its capacity to transform revenue generation strategies within the advisor community.
Sabre Red Launchpad represents not just a booking tool but a transformative approach to the travel industry. By minimizing technical barriers and enhancing user experience, it opens significant opportunities for travel advisors, ensuring they can thrive in this rapidly evolving landscape. The concerted efforts by Sabre and Internova demonstrate a forward-thinking vision that prioritizes both efficiency and profitability, reinforcing the value of collaboration in an increasingly competitive market.