New multi-GDS distribution portal launched in the Philippines

HERMES, an India-based technology firm, has partnered with Shroff International Travel Care to establish GI Philippines Corp (GIPC), a subsidiary which offers multi-GDS travel distribution services in the Philippines though a locally branded online portal, Biyahe Ko (www.biyaheko.com).

 

According to GIPC corporate director AGK Kumar, Biyahe Ko – which means ‘My Trip’ in English – provides access to Hermes’ international inventory, which taps multiple GDSs to offer an array of travel products including domestic and international air and ferry tickets and hotel rooms.

Ticketing and insurance services, which are integrated into the system's back-end and accessible without GDS codes, will appeal to travel business startups, as well as established travel firms and corporate travel managers “who are comfortable using whatever language they are using right now,” said RM Palani Yapan, GIPC director.

“We are making their lives simpler by using our products in the front and (GDS) architecture in the back-end," he explained.

Biyahe Ko also allows merchants to add their own ancillary charges to domestic and international flight bookings – capped at PHP999 (US$23) and PHP9,999 respectively – based on airline and passenger profile. Hotel reservations, on the other hand, allow travel experts to keep 90 per cent of the commission, with the rest going to the portal.

GI Philippines is the second Indian joint-venture company to enter the Philippine online travel distribution services arena after Via.com, which launched in 4Q2011 to target startup retail travel merchants selling Philippine hotels and flights.
Sourced: TTG Asia