TRVL internet news out on PR: $6 5/8 gapping up..
Thursday April 15, 3:49 pm Eastern Time
Company Press Release
SOURCE: Auto Europe
Auto Europe Intensifies Online Efforts Focusing On
Travel Agents
PORTLAND, Maine, April 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Auto Europe, a travel service provider for over 45 years and an online
booking service for 5 years, is focusing their efforts on enhancing their online site, autoeurope.com, to meet the
needs of the growing number of travel agents using the internet for online reservations.
''The internet is the future of the travel industry. Auto Europe needs to be prepared to provide the same level of service that
travel agents have come to expect, whether they are booking by phone or on our web site,'' states Imad Khalidi, President.
These enhancements include an inhouse program called the Travel Agent Finder that accesses a database of travel agents and
allows consumers to enter their zip code to find the name, telephone number and address of their nearest travel agency. The
Travel Agent Finder is located throughout the site including on the front page, the online reservation form, instructions on how to
make a reservation and on internet exclusive promotions that require that the travel agent enter a specific rate code to receive
the discount for their client.
New to the site is also the Online Affiliate Program. This program offers agents the opportunity to create their own ''Auto
Europe Sub Site'' and use the information on their own web site. Agents can select products and locations that are of interest to
their clients and customize the site with their logo. The agency's IATA number is embedded in all reservation requests that are
generated from the sub site allowing for commissions to be protected.
Additionally, Auto Europe has recently added an Audio & Visual conferencing program that allows agents to talk live on line to
an Auto Europe reservationist. The program has minimal system requirements and agents who have a microphone and/or
camera can utilize this service. Software downloads are not necessarily required as the program is H.323 compliant and uses
software that is included with most new P.C.s .
These three new enhancements compliment the existing Travel Agent Only site that is password protected and requires
registration. The site includes information on fam trips and incentives, how to contact local Auto Europe sales representatives,
and tips and suggestions for booking car rentals.
Auto Europe stresses that although they are aggressively intensifying their online efforts, that it does not mean that they are trying
to bypass the travel agent. Khalidi says, ''We are making every effort to encourage online visitors to contact their travel agent.
We challenge other travel suppliers to make their sites as agent friendly as ours.''
Imad Khalidi was voted 1998 Travel Executive of the Year by Travel Trade Magazine, nominated to the 1998 and 1996
Winner's Circle by Travel Agent Magazine and also awarded the 1998 Ron Santana Award by ARTA. In 1997, Auto Europe
donated $100,00.00 to the Coalition of Travel Industry Professionals (CTIP).
Auto Europe, a subsidiary of The Travel Company (Nasdaq: TRVL - news), is a full service travel provider, including
worldwide car rental services, chauffeur services, air ticketing, and hotel reservations.
For more information visit their website at autoeurope.com.
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