Financial Times

Galileo, one of the world’s most widely-used Global Distribution Systems (GDS) for aviation and travel products, has honoured 10 travel management companies in Sri Lanka for high volumes of business booked through their system in 2005.

Crystal trophies were presented to the top Galileo users at the fourth Sri Lanka awards presentation held at the Hilton Colombo earlier this month.

Speaking at the gala ceremony, Gary Chapman, President Emirates Group Services and Data said: “Since its inception, Galileo has brought the highest level of training to its customers using the Emirates Training College in Dubai and today is an industry benchmark.” Stressing that “the name of the new game is content”, he pledged that Galileo Sri Lanka is committed to helping build a better future for local travel companies through continuous improvements of its content.

“Success is about strong partnerships and the same is true of Galileo,” Mr. Chapman said, citing the example of the eight-year partnership between Emirates and SriLankan. “We have traveled a complex road and faced political, economic and technical difficulties. But we have traveled this road together and our common strengths and common values have carried us through turbulent times," he added.

SriLankan Airlines CEO Peter Hill urged travel agencies to support the national carrier by minimising GDS costs to the airline, specifically by way of avoiding bookings which do not result in travel. SriLankan will be releasing electronic ticketing on Galileo soon, he disclosed, adding that “Galileo is a very strong partner of SriLankan and we are a strong supporter of Galileo.”

Galileo Sri Lanka Manager Mahendra Balasuriya thanked local travel agencies “for the good times”, on behalf of the family of Galileo Sri Lanka, SriLankan Airlines, Emirates, Galileo International and Galileo Emirates. “Galileo Sri Lanka is continually looking to provide better products, better services and innovative sharing experiences for our customers,” he said, pointing out that Galileo was the first GDS to provide automated ticketing and the first to introduce Pentium4 based PCs, flat screen monitors, awards nights, airline seminars, user group meetings, a graphical booking tool and many other innovations, and now the e-ticketing.

The awards gala was attended by several key aviation and travel industry personalities and top executives from Galileo Emirates, Galileo International UK and the region.

Mackinnons American Express Travel won the Gold award as the top Galileo user in Sri Lanka, while Hemas Travels and Traveller Global (Pvt) Ltd., won the Silver and Bronze awards respectively. The other award winners were Classic Travels, George Steuarts Travel International, Sprint Travels, BOC Travels, n-Car Travels, Travel Connection (Pvt) Ltd., and World Air (Pvt) Ltd.

Galileo Sri Lanka is an independent National Distribution Company (NDC), set up in partnership with SriLankan and Galileo Emirates, to distribute and support the comprehensive and innovative range of its products in Sri Lanka, providing leading edge travel solutions to the Sri Lankan travel management services.