GetThere to showcase "robust" platform

Major upgrade to be unveiled at NBTANational Business Travel Association: NBTA was renamed in February 2011 to the GBTA (Global Business Travel Association). It provides its members (business travel management professionals) with education and information event

GetThere, an online travel booking tool, is to showcase a raft of new upgrades at next week's National Business Travel Association (NBTA) convention in San Diego.

The Sabre Travel Network-owned company said the enhancements would turn it into a "robust new global platform".

"The industrial-strength platform, finished after months of significant financial and resource investment, now serves the entire global customer base," GetThere said.

The 15 enhancements include the addition of the inventory of Eurostar, the cross channel rail company, for UK and US customers.

GetThere said rail bookings were growing 30% each year as business travellers focused on lower city-to-city fares.

Other upgrades include real-time hotel availability and trip and flight status on WAP-enabled mobile devices.

GetThere said a new "out-of-policy reason display" would ensure business travellers only book options that comply with company policy.

"The recession has put a major spotlight on corporate travel managers to demonstrate their value," said Suzanne Neufang, GetThere's vp corporate market strategy and solutions.

"Our latest collection of enhancements extends that fundamental premise by giving corporations more choices and options to optimize their travel program."

GetThere first unveiled the upgrades at its summit last month which it said attracted a record number of delegates.

The company will hope to build on its US customer base at the NBTA conference which starts on tom morrow (August 22).

www.getthere.com