June 03--JEDDAH -- Amadeus Saudi Arabia has renewed partnerships with some of Saudi Arabia's most prominent travel agencies, including Al Theyab Travel & Tourism, Portfolio Travel, Al-Ghazal Travel Agency and National Alia Travel and Tourism Co.

Amadeus Saudi Arabia has thus reinforced its position as a major technology partner to the region's travel and tourism industry.

Under the renewed agreements, Amadeus customers will enjoy enhanced access to Amadeus' vast portfolio of technology solutions as well as a range of air content, benefit ting particularly from Amadeus' partnership with the Arab Air Carriers Organization (AACO).

The partnerships will also enable Amadeus to support the growth of Saudi Arabia's online travel sector through providing travel players access to its range of online solutions, web based services and state-of-the-art web booking interface.

Ahmed Talib Al-Ghazal, general manager, Al-Ghazal Travel Agency, said: "Working with a professional and strong technology partner is essential in order for any travel agency to be able to focus on its core business objectives vis-a-vis saving time and cost, improving productivity and better servicing customers to ensure their loyalty."

He said: "I have no doubt that our partnership with a leading content aggregator like Amadeus will enable us to improve our business and enhance our customer portfolio."

Amadeus also signed partnership agreements with eBreeze Travels/Flyin.com to provide web services that will assist the organization with online bookings both, air and non-air. eBreeze Travels/Flyin.com is one of Saudi Arabia's travel agencies that is committed to consistently evolving the online travel business and developing web portals for customers across the Middle East region.

Faisal Alhomaidhi, vice president, eBreeze Travels/Flyin.com, said: "We enjoy a solid and established relationship with Amadeus and consider them as one of the main players in technology development in the region."

Alhomaidhi: "With more and more travelers looking online to book travel online, Amadeus' web-based solutions and services will enable us to cater to the specific needs of these customers. Our partnership effectively compliments our efforts to boost the online travel sector in Saudi Arabia."

The partnerships came on the back of Amadeus' participation at Arabian Travel Market (ATM), the Middle East's largest travel trade exhibition that ran in Dubai earlier this month.

Amadeus' presence at ATM reflected its continuous efforts to support its travel agency customers in adapting to new strategies that meet the requirements of a fast-advancing local tourism industry that is expected to reach $ 11.4 billion by 2014.

Further, it aimed at empowering agents to transform the way they operate by selecting the right solutions that ensure a competitive and successful business.

Nashat Bukhari, general manager, Amadeus Saudi Arabia, said: "Our participation at Arabian Travel Market and the resulting partnership agreements have reinforced our commitment to providing high standards of local expertise, customer service and technology solutions to the Saudi travel and tourism industry."

Bukhari said: "I am confident that our travel agency partners will further benefit from the Amadeus portfolio of solutions, empowering them to further grow their business and establish themselves as key players in an increasingly competitive environment."

With world-class products and solutions coupled with investment in research and development to enhance the travel industry's technology solutions, Amadeus has established itself as a leading player in the region.

The company is currently present in the MENA region through 17 local Amadeus Commercial Organizations (ACOs) servicing 21 countries.

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