Leading travel technology company, Sabre Travel Network, has opened the virtual doors to its Sabre Red App Centre, one of the first B2B online application stores for the travel industry.

The company said that it is the first online marketplace to connect travel buyers, including travel agencies, travel management companies and leisure operators, with application providers from around the world.

Travel buyers can access the app centre and shop for more than 60 red apps currently in the marketplace. The number is expected to grow significantly in the coming months, the statement said.

After identifying the desired app, customers can complete the check-out process and download and provision the app to the individual user.

The red apps will be available in the agent’s Sabre red workspace, which is used to shop, book and manage travel.  

Darren Wickham, managing director, customer services, Sabre Travel Network, Middle East, said: “By creating this new marketplace, our customers can now easily shop for, purchase and install specialised applications that further enhance and customise the red workspace to meet their individual business needs.”

Several third-party developers are already working with Sabre to bring their applications to the global marketplace, including apps for flight and preferred seat monitoring, events-based travel planning, shopping and booking of ground transportation, and apps that leverage natural language technology.

“Sabre Red App Centre gives us the ability to reach our primary market in a way never before possible,” said Dale Weston, senior vice president of Travel Automation, a travel software provider serving travel buyers around the world. “The plug-in framework provides for nearly limitless opportunities for development on the Sabre red workspace.”

Sabre will host the first Sabre Red Appys awards event during its Developer Conference and Technology and Marketing University in Las Vegas in June. The event will highlight the most creative and effective apps.

From a group of 10 demonstrators, a panel of judges will determine the top red app and award the Sabre Red Appy, the statement said.

Startup, emerging and established companies are all invited to apply to showcase their innovative solutions, it said.

“Launching the red app centre is simply the first step in establishing it as a robust and vibrant marketplace for travel buyers and developers,” said Wickham. – TradeArabia News Service