Galileo expands Asia Pacific distribution network into Vietnam

Galileo International, a leading provider of electronic global distribution services (GDS) for the travel industry, today announced the official opening of offices in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, Vietnam. With the addition of this new geographic presence, Galileo is now providing electronic global distribution services for the travel industry in 18 markets in Asia Pacific.

Vietnam's travel industry is growing rapidly. Outbound travel has shown double-digit growth in recent years with increasing trade in the Asian region. The 2001 trade agreement with the US and expected entry into the World Trade Organization are providing further stimulus. Galileo plans to support the growth of Vietnam's travel industry by increasing the level of automation among travel agents.

"We have long been the leading GDS in this region, and our expansion into Vietnam extends our leadership position," said Janie Kaung, executive vice president and managing director of Galileo's Asia Pacific region.

"This is a win-win situation. We will bring choice as well as superior service  and support to the country's travel agency community. Vietnam's travel industry can now benefit from the presence of the region's market-leading GDS - and the first to offer a truly global system to the Vietnamese travel agent. Galileo, meanwhile, is well positioned to capture a considerable share of Vietnam's outbound bookings. This significantly improves our competitive position in Asia Pacific, and we look forward to creating a strong, long-term base in Vietnam."

"As a global organisation with a presence in 116 countries, Galileo is well equipped to support Vietnam's developing air travel and tourism industry by offering innovative products to Vietnam's travel agents," said General  Manager Mr. Nguyen Thanh Long. "Looking ahead, Galileo's online products will increase usage of the Internet in Vietnam's travel sector and help travel agents improve productivity, profitability and service, as Galileo has done in many other countries."

Mr. Long has been in the airline industry for nearly 10 years. He currently leads a staff of 15, providing help-desk, training and technical services. Headquartered in Ho Chi Minh City and with an additional office in Hanoi, Galileo's new offices took their first bookings in the third quarter of 2002. Galileo has already automated a number of travel agents.