Advantage Wins Travel Show Innovation Award
FEBRUARY 14, 2007. Advantage Business Travel Management has been revealed as the winner of the third annual Business Travel Show Innovation Award for its GDS CAT35 initiative and its deal with Amadeus.
CAT35 allows airlines to upload their net discounted fares displaying all terms and conditions on the global distribution system. Previously this was not possible and agents had to either go through a third party or search for those specific fares.
But now, thanks to CAT35, agents can save time searching as well as offer a comprehensive fare selection to clients; airlines can upload fares directly - increasing accuracy; and agents are no longer liable for expensive penalty charges.
Although the CAT35 initiative was launched less than a year ago with just six airlines, 43 airlines are now involved. And last year, Advantage members shared lb2 million in rebates - an increase of 40 per cent on 2005.
Advantage also won the Innovation Award for its deal with Amadeus: the company has pioneered the use of Amadeus' e-booking tool, which is offered to members who can, in turn, offer it to clients.
The third Business Travel Show Innovation Award was presented by Adam Coulter, chairman of the judging panel and editor of Travel Trade Gazette Business: "Advantage has shown how, by coming together, its members have driven through two outstanding initiatives.
"CAT35 is a step-change in terms of how its members search for fares, saving them time and money and enhancing their reputation with clients. Amadeus' SBT allows members - many of whom could never afford such technology - to offer a sophisticated e-booking solution to their clients. This is a prime example of how a well-run and efficient consortium is bigger than the sum of its parts. And special mention must go to Norman Gage, Advantage Business Travel Director, and his team for driving through those initiatives."
EOS and ITM (Institute of Travel Management) were announced as runners up: EOS for its all all-business class long haul service, and ITM for Project Icarus. Portman Travel (Portman Forest programme) and Virgin Atlantic (Premium Economy service) were the other two finalists.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
