The OpenTravel Alliance Publishes Specification Version 2008B
Dynamic Packaging Messages Created to Meet Industry Demand
DECEMBER 15, 2008. The OpenTravel Alliance (OpenTravel), the travel industry's leading specification development organization, has published the 2008B version of its latest addition to the OpenTravel library of standard specifications adopted by travel companies worldwide.
The most exciting aspect of this version is the dynamic packaging messages, supporting availability, book and modify business functions.
'Dynamic packaging, meaning real-time aggregation and presentation of business or leisure inventory across the various segments, has been addressed by various technology companies in a proprietary manner,' said Valyn Perini, Executive Director of OpenTravel. 'OpenTravel has created a robust message set to support dynamic packaging that will allow all travel companies to meet their consumers' needs affordably and effectively.'
OpenTravel member airline US Airways took the lead in this project. 'US Airways Vacations, a division of US Airways, offers some of the most exciting destinations in the world,' said Sam Liyanage, director of e-commerce for USAirways. 'OpenTravel provides US Airways with a standard structure for real-time searching, pricing and booking of inventory across the various travel segments. As long-time members and active participants in OpenTravel, it was critical for us to use OpenTravel's framework to work with our trading partners to create these standard schemas.'
Also included in the 2008B release are messages to address the business needs of post-event reporting for hotels and conference centers.
Upcoming OpenTravel Activities
OpenTravel's annual Advisory Forum will be held April 20-22, 2009 at the Marriott Seattle Waterfront in Seattle, Washington.
About the OpenTravel Alliance
The OpenTravel Alliance is passionate about solving the problems inherent with connecting multiple systems within the complex travel distribution arena.
OpenTravel's mission is to engineer specifications that make data transmission flow smoothly throughout travel, tourism and hospitality. OpenTravel creates, expands and drives adoption of open universal data specifications, including but not limited to the use of XML, for the electronic exchange of business information among all sectors of the travel industry.
With a diversified membership representing influential names in all sectors of the travel industry, OpenTravel is comprised of representatives from airlines, car rental firms, hotels, cruise lines, leisure suppliers, service providers, tour operators, travel agencies, and trade associations. Thousands of message structures are in use, carrying tens of millions of messages between travel trading partners every day. For more information, visit www.opentravel.org.
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