Orbitz for Business Promotes Consumerization of Corporate Travel at GBTA Procurement Symposium

CHICAGO, Oct. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- At the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) Procurement Symposium today in Los Angeles, Orbitz for Business Vice President of Strategy and Account Management Mark L. Walton spoke to the importance of "consumerization" in corporate travel through the development of online tools that deliver a planning and booking experience that more closely mirrors the process business travelers already use for leisure travel.  Such innovation will continually improve the corporate travel experience for travel managers and travelers alike, Walton argued, leading to increased online adoption and adherence to company policy while empowering travelers with intuitive, convenient technology that truly meets their needs.

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"Travel managers prefer the control and minimized risk of a travel program sourced to a single TMC," said Walton.  "But with that control comes a perception among travelers that they have limited choice and flexibility, so we must continue innovating to deliver technology and tools that more closely match the ones travelers already use for their leisure travel bookings.  Doing so will provide flexibility and convenience throughout the planning and booking process, which will in turn lead to the increased online adoption travel managers seek to effectively meet company goals."

As the corporate travel brand of Orbitz Worldwide (NYSE: OWW), Orbitz for Business launched in 2002 as the first travel management company (TMC) designed to mirror the experience of a leading consumer travel website, Orbitz.com.  Over the past decade, Orbitz for Business has dedicated itself to delivering a consumerized business travel platform through purpose-built technology developed to meet the evolving needs of companies and their travelers – including the industry's first end to end mobile booking solution – with a worldwide inventory of content, discounts negotiated on a global scale and proactive, expert traveler care that is accessible 24/7.

Adam Goldstein, cofounder of Hipmunk, moderated the GBTA Procurement Symposium panel titled "The Consumerization of Travel," with Carol McDowell, manager of corporate travel services at FINRA, and David LeCompte, CEO of Short's Travel Management, also serving as panelists alongside Walton.

About Orbitz for Business
Orbitz for Business is the corporate travel brand of Orbitz Worldwide (NYSE: OWW).  Launched in 2002, Orbitz for Business offers a complete portfolio of global business travel products and services that help corporate customers plan, search and book travel. Orbitz for Business leverages Orbitz Worldwide technology, customized for corporate travelers. In addition to its leading technology, Orbitz for Business delivers full service, cost effective travel management solutions including 24/7 customer support; expense reporting and policy management tools; and comprehensive choice in travel inventory.

About Orbitz Worldwide
Orbitz Worldwide is a leading global online travel company that uses innovative technology to enable leisure and business travelers to research, plan and book a broad range of travel products. Orbitz Worldwide owns a portfolio of consumer brands that includes Orbitz, CheapTickets, ebookers, HotelClub, RatesToGo and the Away Network. Also within the Orbitz Worldwide family, Orbitz Worldwide Distribution delivers private label travel solutions to a broad range of partners including many of the world's largest airlines, and Orbitz for Business delivers managed corporate travel solutions for corporations. Orbitz Worldwide uses its Investor Relations website to make information available to its investors and the public at http://investors.orbitz.com. You can sign up to receive email alerts whenever the company posts new information to the website.

SOURCE Orbitz Worldwide