Key Customer Win Strengthens Travelport's UAE Footprint

Dubai, UAE: 6 May, 2009:  Travelport, one of the world's leading providers of global distribution systems (GDS), has today announced that it has signed a multi-year agreement with Al Rais Travel, one of the largest travel agencies in the UAE, for its flagship Galileo reservation system.

Leveraging Travelport's new direct Galileo operations in the UAE, the major agreement will give Al Rais and all of its customer's access to the leading booking platform, including the best airline, car, and hotel content, as well as world-class technology training and support services.

"We are very pleased with the efficiency of the Galileo system and believe that Travelport is the right technology partner to meet our agency's evolving needs," said Edris Mohammed Taher, Deputy Managing Director, Al Rais Travel and Tours. "Working with a GDS provider that understands the requirements of our business not only helps us operate more effectively, but gives us a competitive edge."

Lending its years of local market expertise and experience, the GDS provider is well positioned to meet all of Al Rais' extensive travel booking needs, providing the agency with products and services specifically designed to boost agent productivity and achieve operational efficiency.

"Our agreement with Al Rais underscores our continued leadership in the UAE market and is a testament to the agency's confidence in our advanced technology and customer service capabilities as a result of our newly-established support structure," said Faris Azzee, UAE Country Manager, Travelport GDS.

With over 30 years of experience, Al Rais is one of the leading travel agency and tour operators in the UAE, offering comprehensive travel services and solutions for every type of traveller and itinerary.

Since the launch of its direct Galileo operations for travel agents in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Travelport GDS has been steadily reinforcing its position as the preferred GDS provider in the Middle East, building its local customer support and investing in its long-term presence in the region.

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About Travelport
Travelport is one of the world's largest travel conglomerates offering broad based business services to companies operating in the global travel industry. The company is comprised of the global distribution system (GDS) business that includes the Worldspan and Galileo brands; GTA, a leading global, multi-channel provider of hotel and ground services; IT Services and Software, which hosts mission critical applications and provides business and data analysis solutions for major airlines.  With 2008 revenues of $2.5 billion, Travelport operates in 160 countries and has over 5,500 employees.

Travelport also owns approximately 48% of Orbitz Worldwide (NYSE: OWW), a leading global online travel company. 

Travelport is a private company owned by The Blackstone Group, One Equity Partners, Technology Crossover Ventures and Travelport management.

More information about Travelport is available at www.travelport.com

About Al Rais
Al Rais Travel has served the community for almost three decades. With a constant drive for excellence through perseverance and hard work, Al Rais is recognized as a leader in the field of travel and tourism, evolving from simple flight bookings into a company providing complete travel solutions, including complicated itineraries involving overland travel, cruises and adventure holidays.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Alana Ngoh                  
PR Manager, Travelport GDS Middle East
Tel  +971 4 607 0548
Mob: + 971 50 810 0972
E-mail: alana.ngoh@travelport.com

© Press Release 2009