Galaxy appoints Paul Blahuta as Regional Director of Sales for Asia, Middle East, Africa and CIS Countries

Galaxy Distribution System Ltd., specialising in on-line global travel distribution systems for ground services, officially announced today the appointment of Mr Paul Blahuta as its Regional Director of Sales for Asia, Middle East, Africa and the CIS countries. 

Effective immediately, Blahuta will report directly to Mr Marco Gorin, Galaxy's Corporate Director of Sales and will spearhead the company's Asia, Middle East, Africa and CIS efforts to achieve regional Travel Distribution System (TDS) sales targets. His responsibilities will also include building relationships and providing sales leadership for Galaxy's regional National Marketing Company network, while enhancing relationships with Galaxy suppliers and major existing clients and prospects. 

As a long-time industry executive, Blahuta joins Galaxy with more than 17 years of management experience. He has managed sales and marketing efforts in diverse markets for companies in the travel and hospitality industry. Among Blahuta's strengths are his ability to maximize sales volume and transform market position through relationship building, negotiating favourable agreements, training sales teams, securing strategic alliances, and closing deals with top decision makers.

Prior to joining Galaxy, Blahuta served for two years as managing director for Asia-Pacific for "myfidelio," formerly known as HotelBANK, an internet-based exchange solution that directly connects buyers and sellers and eliminates traditional travel architecture. Before that, Blahuta served for two years as HotelBANK's Asia-Pacific director of operations and director of sales for Australia/New Zealand; and for 13 years, he served in a variety of executive positions with National Car Rental, one of the world's largest rental car companies; Utell, the world's leading hotel representation and marketing company; and several hotels including Hotel Nikko Darling Harbour, Hilton Hotel Sydney Airport, and the Sheraton Hotel Ayres Rock.

According to Blahuta, the decision to join Galaxy was in principle based on the fact that travel suppliers and buyers are always searching for efficient and cheaper distribution opportunities. "I believe the business model that Galaxy has to offer is a good one and will suit buyers and suppliers very well, particularly in Asia Pacific, based on my experience in this region," Blahuta stated.

He went on to say that he wants to achieve two basic goals while working with Galaxy. "The first goal from a hotel accommodation perspective is to provide major chain suppliers as well as small independent properties the ability to rely on cheaper distribution - much cheaper than they are currently receiving through third party GDS representation providers and last minute or distressed inventory methodologies. Galaxy's pricing model clearly demonstrates to me how positively this will be received by the hotel suppliers since I come from a hotel background," stated Blahuta.

"The second goal is to provide our National Marketing Companies with support wherever possible in their respective markets where they already possess extensive knowledge and expertise - thus enabling them to maximise booking volumes for Galaxy's GroundServices® and TDS. Coupled with our determination to increase consistently available quality content from our suppliers through Galaxy services, is our desire for our buying partners to increase their bottom line by looking at Galaxy as a successful distribution method as compared to traditional distribution methods," he added.

"By eliminating the chasing of commission structures by our buyers and ultimately having instant access to consistently available inventory at good pricing, I believe Galaxy will make a major impact in the way travel is booked in the travel industry by as early as mid 2004," Blahuta concluded.

In addition to Blahuta's current responsibilities, he will also be tasked with establishing and overseeing a new sub-regional office managed by a regional sales manager for Africa, Middle East and Indian Sub-Continent. The target date for the establishment of the new office is in the second half of 2004.