GetGoing Inc. team joins BCD Travel ahead of TripSource Hotels launch
Jan 28, 2016, 09:47 ET
UTRECHT, Netherlands, Jan. 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Global corporate travel management company BCD Travel has entered into an asset purchase agreement with GetGoing, Inc. of San Francisco. Technology developed by GetGoing powers BCD Travel's TripSource Hotels, which provides clients access to substantially more properties globally than are available in global distribution systems.
GetGoing developed the agent user interface and API technology that BCD Travel uses to provide a better and more comprehensive booking experience for travelers and agents. TripSource Hotels combines content from Global Distribution Systems with that of leading hotel booking aggregators and private hotels. It lets travelers book client-negotiated rates and offers access to more than 900,000 properties globally. Its consumer-style interface features a powerful search engine with custom filters, ratings, photos, maps and more.
When travelers book out-of-program hotels, it fragments the travel program. Travelers feel less tempted to shop around on their own when they're given a convenient, user-friendly booking method that's won their confidence. With full availability across multiple booking channels, TripSource Hotels combines the right content with convenience and ease of use. Moreover, it integrates with BCD Travel's workflows and back office system, supporting a full hotel solution—including virtual payment automation, business intelligence and sourcing assistance.
"We partnered with GetGoing because its innovative technology delivers an incredible customer experience like that found in leading leisure-travel products—while also serving needs unique to corporate travel programs and procurement departments," said Rose Stratford, EVP Supplier Relations and Global Strategic Sourcing. "Acquiring the technology that powers TripSource Hotels gives us greater control over the evolution of an important travel technology and lets us respond to customer needs more quickly. The move is part of our strategy to continue aggressively growing our company through acquisitions that support our strategic direction, align with our corporate culture and benefit our clients."
"Four years ago, we created GetGoing with the idea of developing innovative travel products that would open new opportunities for consumers and suppliers," said GetGoing co-founder Alek Vernitsky. "We are looking forward to working as part of BCD Travel to improve the searching and booking experience for thousands of BCD Travel advisors and millions of business travelers around the world."
GetGoing's core product and engineering management team in San Francisco and Ukraine-based engineering team joined BCD Travel. Alek Vernitsky, co-founder and CEO, has joined as an SVP, Product Strategy, reporting to Rose Stratford, EVP of Supplier Relations & Global Strategic Sourcing. Alek Strygin, co-founder and COO, has joined as an SVP, Product Management, reporting to Russell Howell, EVP, Technology, Products & Innovation. According to Strygin: "We are committed to our engineering center in Kiev, as we view Ukraine as an increasingly important center of technology innovation, with a deep talent pool and entrepreneurial culture."
About BCD Travel
BCD Travel helps companies make the most of what they spend on travel. For travelers, this means keeping them safe and productive, and equipping them to make good choices on the road. For travel and procurement managers, it means advising them on how to grow the value of their travel program. For executives, we ensure that the travel program supports company objectives. In short, we help our clients travel smart and achieve more. We make this happen in 110 countries with more than 11,000 creative, committed and experienced people. And it's how we maintain an industry-leading client-retention rate of 96%, with 2014 sales of US$24.2 billion. For more information, visit www.bcdtravel.com.
About BCD Group
BCD Group is a market leader in the travel industry. The privately owned company was founded in 1975 by John Fentener van Vlissingen and consists of BCD Travel (global corporate travel management), Travix (online travel: CheapTickets, Vliegwinkel, BudgetAir, Flugladen and Vayama), Park 'N Fly (off-airport parking) and joint ventures Parkmobile International (mobile parking applications) and AERTrade International (consolidating and fulfillment). BCD Group employs over 12,500 people and operates in 110 countries with total sales of US$ 25.6 billion, including US$ 10 billion in partner sales. For more information, visit www.bcdgroup.com.
SOURCE BCD Travel