| PARSIPPANY, N.J., June 30, 2005 - Travelers in the U.S. still find
great value in travel agents for booking their leisure travel plans, according
to a recent study commissioned by leading global distribution system (GDS)
and subsidiary of Cendant Corp. (NYSE: CD), Galileo International. The
findings from the June 2005 study show that nearly 7 out of 10 U.S. adults
(68%) are more comfortable booking travel plans through a traditional travel
agent.
According to the poll, an advantage to more than half of U.S. adults
is when an agent asks questions to better understand a travelers needs
(53%) and their willingness to help customize itineraries to best fit those
needs (52%), which may clearly demonstrate a comfort in the human element
when booking travel. Whether it is the desire to visit multiple destinations,
arrive and depart from different locations, or requiring special amenities
at a hotel, travelers in the U.S. often have complex itineraries during
a vacation. 49% of U.S. adults found an agent's ability to book complex
itineraries that are hard to book online as another driving factor in comfort
level when working with a traditional agent to plan a vacation.
According to the research one of the perceived advantages for using
a travel agent is that in a world where the traveler's needs are becoming
more complex and diverse - 65% of adults stated the ability to sit down
in person with someone to discuss plans is a "must have" in booking a vacation.
Additional services considered "must haves" for a traditional agency include:
-
The ability to book all your travel plans, including air, lodging and car
rental - 76%
-
Access to real-time flight and hotel information - 73%
-
Advanced knowledge about various destinations - 70%
"The study confirms that travel agents are still held in high regard by
many travelers, due to their personal service, knowledge, flexibility and
choice of vacation offers."
"At Galileo we recognize the importance of the agency channel and are
committed to working with our agency partners to ensure their continued
success. We provide innovative tools, technology and content to help power
an agency's business," stated Eileen Kennedy, vice president, Marketing,
the Americas, Galileo. "In addition, we will continue to invest in solutions
to supply agencies with the information and resources necessary to allow
for differentiation and growth."
Survey Methodology:
Harris Interactive® conducted the telephone survey for Galileo
International between June 3 and 6, 2005 among a nationwide cross section
of 1,006 U.S. adults ages 18+. Figures for age, sex, race, and region were
weighted where necessary to align them with their actual proportions in
the population. In theory, with a probability sample of this size, one
can say with 95 percent certainty that the results for the overall sample
has a sampling error of plus or minus 3 percentage points of what they
would be if the entire U.S. adult population had been polled with complete
accuracy.
About Galileo International:
Galileo International is a global technology leader. Its core business
is providing electronic global distribution system for the travel industry
through its computerized reservation systems, leading-edge products and
innovative, Internet-based solutions. Galileo is a value-added distributor
of travel inventory dedicated to supporting its travel supplier, agency
and corporate customers and, through them, expanding traveler choice. A
subsidiary of Cendant Corporation (NYSE: CD - News) and part of Cendant's
Travel Distribution Services Division, Galileo is headquartered in Parsippany,
NJ, and has offices worldwide. Visit http://www.galileo.com.
About Cendant Travel Distribution Services:
Cendant Corporation's (NYSE: CD - News) Travel Distribution Services
division, is one of the world's largest and most geographically diverse
collections of travel brands and distribution businesses. The division,
employing nearly 9,000 people in approximately 120 countries, includes:
a leading global distribution system (GDS) company (Galileo), serving more
than 44,000 travel agencies and over 60,000 hotels; hotel distribution
and services businesses (Neat Group®, THOR®, TRUST and WizCom®);
leading online travel agencies (CheapTickets®, ebookers.com®, HotelClub.com,
Lodging.com, Orbitz®, and RatesToGo.com); an airline market intelligence
company (Shepherd Systems); an international travel technology and software
company (Travelwire); a leading international provider of long-haul air
travel and travel product consolidator (Travel 2®/Travel 4®); online
global corporate travel management solutions (Orbitz for Business®
and Travelport®); and a leading wholesaler and global online provider
of hotels, destination services, travel packages and group tours (Gullivers
Travel Associates, OctopusTravel.com® and Travel Bound, Inc.).
About Harris Interactive®
Harris Interactive Inc. (www.harrisinteractive.com), the 15th largest
and fastest-growing market research firm in the world, is a Rochester,
NY-based global research company that blends premier strategic consulting
with innovative and efficient methods of investigation, analysis and application.
Known for The Harris Poll® and for pioneering Internet-based research
methods, Harris Interactive conducts proprietary and public research to
help its clients achieve clear, material and enduring results. Harris Interactive
combines its intellectual capital, databases and technology to advance
market leadership through its U.S. offices and wholly owned subsidiaries,
HI Europe in London (www.hieurope.com), Novatris in Paris (www.novatris.com),
and through an independent global network of affiliate market research
companies. EOE M/F/D/V
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