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The OpenTravel Alliance Publishes Specification Version 2008A

June 11, 2008

OpenTravel has published the 2008A version of its specification.  It is the latest addition to the OpenTravel library of standard specifications adopted by travel companies worldwide.

For the first time, OpenTravel has published messages that support tour operators, including the distribution functions of tour product search, availability and booking.

“OpenTravel has long been known for its messages that meet distribution needs of the core supplier segments of the travel industry,” said Valyn Perini, Executive Director of OpenTravel.  “Our messages for the airline, hotel, rental car and cruise segments are mature and in widespread use worldwide, with tens of millions of messages exchanged every day.  It’s time we brought our standards-building expertise to the tour operator segment, part of the ‘Long Tail’ of the travel industry due to its varied and complex travel products.”

OpenTravel member companies PEAK 15 Systems and Adventure Central were leaders in this project.

“PEAK 15 Systems is proud to have taken a leadership role in establishing standards that will allow customers using our online tour operator software to more easily distribute their incredible collection of tours to partners and suppliers around the world,” said James O’Leonard, CEO of PEAK 15 Systems.

Both PEAK 15 Systems and Adventure Central serve the burgeoning specialty market of adventure travel.

“The demand for adventure travel and tours is at an all-time high”, said Dick Schulte, CEO of Adventure Central. “Having these standards in place will make it much simpler and quicker to integrate such a fragmented market. Working with OpenTravel to establish these standards is a critical step towards accomplishing our goal to be the leading provider of distribution and online booking services for the adventure and experiential travel industry.” 

In addition to the new messages, numerous  changes have been made to existing messages as part of the 2008A publication, based on comments received by member and non-member companies; we always appreciate the direct feedback from implementers.

The 2008A version of the specification can be downloaded here.

Click this link to see the full press release:

OpenTravel2008AFinal.doc (47.50 KB)