Travelport Joins Global Travel & Tourism Partnership Supporting Global Education In Travel & Tourism Industry

WEST CHESTER, Pa., and ATLANTA, Sept. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Travelport, the business services provider to the global travel industry and Global Travel & Tourism Partnership (GTTP), a multi-country educational program introducing students to career opportunities within the travel and tourism industry, today announce:

• a strategic partnership to support global education in Travel and Tourism. 
• the appointments of Gordon Wilson, President and CEO, Travelport and Dirk Vande Beek, senior vice president, Corporate and Government Affairs, Travelport, to the GTTP Advisory Board with immediate effect.

"Travelport is delighted to partner with GTTP to introduce students to career opportunities within the travel and tourism industry," said Gordon Wilson, Travelport.

"As a worldwide provider of travel services, we recognize that in order to support the continued growth of the travel sector and its critical role in the global economy, it is vital to expose students, their parents and their teachers to the industry. Through this partnership, we can encourage students to look at the industry as a source of worthwhile and rewarding careers." 

To date, more than 1.5 million students in twelve countries have benefitted from the GTTP program, with school systems providing teachers and classrooms and companies providing financial and in-kind support.

About Travelport (www.travelport.com)

Travelport is a broad-based business services company and a leading provider of critical transaction processing solutions to companies operating in the global travel industry.

With a presence in over 170 countries, approximately 3,500 employees and 2011 net revenue of $2.0 billion, Travelport is comprised of the global distribution systems (GDS) business, which includes the Galileo and Worldspan brands and its Airline IT Solutions business.

Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Travelport is a privately owned company.

Follow Travelport on Twitter at http://twitter.com/Travelport   

About GTTP: (www.gttp.org)

The GTTP is a charity that educates secondary school students about careers in Travel & Tourism; the world's fastest growing industry, at a time when they are making career and further-education decisions.  Students learn about the global industry, working in a service economy, and the economic and social impact of the industry in their counties. Along with the students, teachers and parents develop an appreciation for sustainable tourism and its benefits.

Leading international companies that support the GTTP's global activities include Amadeus, American Express, Hertz, HRG, KDS, Lufthansa, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Inc. and the World Travel & Tourism Council and representatives of these global partners form the GTTP Advisory Board. In addition, approximately 2100 local businesses share their expertise with teachers and students worldwide.

About Gordon Wilson

Gordon Wilson was appointed President and CEO of Travelport on June 1, 2011, having served as Deputy CEO since November 2009 and as President and CEO of the Travelport GDS, the largest division of the company, since January 2007.  He has 20 years' experience in global electronic travel distribution, in various senior positions, including CEO roles with Galileo and Cendant Travel Distribution Services.

About Dirk Vande Beek

Dirk Vande Beek joined Travelport in 2007 from Computer Associates, where he was vice president, Global Government Relations. His 30 years' experience in government affairs and corporate communications includes various roles both industry (with The Coca-Cola Company and The Halliburton Company) and government (as press secretary for Vice President Dick Cheney in the 2000 Presidential Campaign and deputy director, Communications for the 2001 Presidential Inaugural Committee).

Media Contacts:

Nancy Needham
GTTP
[email protected]  

Jill Brenner
Travelport
[email protected]

SOURCE Travelport; GTTP