easyCruise signs Distribution Agreement with Amadeus

easyCruise has been added to the Amadeus system in both the UK and the US markets.

The addition of easyCruise to the Amadeus system allows easyCruise to target the travel agency distribution channel, reducing their dependency on direct-consumer bookings.

Paul Ellerby, Sales & Marketing Director UK & US at easyCruise, said, “We are excited to be extending our content to Amadeus Cruise and Cruise API users. Amadeus is providing us with access to a large network of cruise specialists and travel agents, which is key to our growth strategy. In the current economic climate, it is important for cruise lines to reduce costs whilst improving distribution and achieving market share growth. We are confident that Amadeus’ proven Cruise booking solutions will help easyCruise reach its ambitious goals.”

easyCruise is now distributed in both markets on the browser-based Amadeus Cruise desktop sales solution for travel professionals, as well as the Cruise Application Programming Interface for online sales.

This makes Amadeus the first GDS distributing easyCruise content and in parallel to the launch with Amadeus, easyCruise plans to actively target the travel agency distribution channel which the company hopes will spread the balance between industry and direct-consumer bookings.

Stephen Wilbanks, Head of Sales at Amadeus Cruise, said, “As a leading provider of selling systems that highlight customer choice and travel agents’ expertise, Amadeus now uniquely offers 19 cruise lines. These cruise lines offer a range of products to suit the discerning, family oriented and price-conscious cruise passenger. Cruise holidays are gaining popularity, and by placing itself among the well established brands already benefiting from distribution via Amadeus, easyCruise will be a welcome addition to the Amadeus Cruise portfolio.”

Despite the industry economic global downturn, 2008 was an extremely successful year for Amadeus Cruise, where a 20% growth in bookings over 2007 was achieved.

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