GenaRes opts for OTA-based Worldspan XML Pro for Suppliers Technology

GenaRes Worldwide Reservation Services Ltd. has become the first reservations technology provider to fully implement the new and advanced Worldspan XML Pro for Suppliers hotel content product.

Worldspan XML Pro for Suppliers is being termed as “the travel industry’s most highly developed data exchange solution for direct connections between hotel suppliers and a GDS, and a key component of the Worldspan Wired suite of messaging products.”

GenaRes can now electronically build and update properties in Worldspan with unprecedented speed and efficiency, said Ursula Rhode, executive vice president for GenaRes.

“We anticipate our operating and system maintenance costs will decrease significantly through the ability to exchange a broad range of structured data with the Worldspan GDS using this advanced messaging technology,” said Rhode.

“The first end-to-end XML solution for hotels, Worldspan XML Pro for Suppliers has expanded to create new e-commerce distribution opportunities for hotels and other travel suppliers. Today it supports a broad range of transactional, information and descriptive content using a blend of Worldspan technology, the industry's most comprehensive XML-based specifications from the Open Travel Alliance (OTA), Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) and the latest data transfer standards for fast adoption and deployment of Web Services,” stated an official release.

“Serving small independents to large hotel chains worldwide, GenaRes adopted Worldspan XML Pro for Suppliers to create a standards-based XML interface for loading its hotel content for distribution and transaction processing across all Worldspan distribution channels, including travel agencies, corporations and travel websites globally.”

New capabilities, all based on specifications as they are approved by the OTA, support Worldspan Integrated Hotel Source transactions and Worldspan Hotel Select database content for more efficient travel distribution. The offering is designed to reduce GDS interface development time and costs for travel suppliers. Time and human errors involved in manual processing are also eliminated and replaced with the latest technology to load consistent and accurate product data into the Worldspan system.

Worldspan XML Pro for Suppliers is quickly and easily implemented over an existing TCP/IP connection or via a virtual private network (VPN). A comprehensive software development kit (SDK) is offered to help developers easily learn, customize and implement unique travel supplier solutions, according to the company.