p36-37 biz trav jan23 20/1/09 15:58 Page 37
ttglive.com
business travel news
Uniglobe sales rise after
Sabre slashes
it boosts agent support
500 positions
SABRE has made 500 employees redundant
across its global operation.
The travel technology company, which called
Martin Ferguson.
Uniglobe joined forces with Worldchoice in July the job losses “good sound business”, said it was
BUSINESS travel consortium Uniglobe Travel last year. forced to make the cuts in light of the global
British Isles reported encouraging sales figures So far eight TMCs have signed up, with another economic downturn.
for the end of 2008. three likely to join in the next few months. Sabre said: “Given current marketplace
The organisation said it was facing up to the To support members, Uniglobe is to increase conditions, we are managing our business
economic downturn by ramping up its sales the level of sales training it provides for business conservatively and taking steps now to ensure
training and support. development managers and increase investment future investments and the long-term health
Derek Hearl-Maunder, Uniglobe Travel British in training threefold. of our business. These have included some
Isles’ president and chief operating officer, said: Hearl-Maunder said: “It will give increased reductions in our workforce.
“Sales from September onwards went against in-depth support to sales teams at a time when Despite the redundancies and the prospect of
the general market, with December showing a they most need it. recession Sabre said it will invest “higher than
43% increase against the same month in 2007. “Our agents have solid businesses with a good historical levels” in the corporate arena this year.
“While part of this was due to the recent spread of accounts and a pragmatic approach. “We are excited about improving our market
alliance with Worldchoice, which helped increase “They recognise the importance of retaining position by continuing to aggressively compete
overall turnover, the underlying factor was one sales and marketing activities during times of in all segments,” a statement said.
of steady growth across the group. economic downturn. “We have had an ongoing cost reduction
“Margins held up and increased, so even “The general feedback is that reducing levels campaign for the past two years that has
agents where sales might have been slightly only creates headaches when sales improve as increased automation and focused on customer
down were reporting increased profitability.” well as in recruitment terms.” delivery.”
23.01.2009 37
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