OpenTravel Alliance Final XML Specifications

New OpenTravel Alliance XML Specifications Unite Travel Industry, Simplify Online Transactions and Reduce Costs

Alexandria, VA, USA. February 26, 2002.

The OpenTravel Alliance (OTA) published Versions 2001B and 2001C of its Extensible Markup Language (XML) specifications, which help all sectors of travel communicate more efficiently and effectively by simplifying the implementation and transmission of complex electronic transactions.

"The OTA specifications enable travel industry trading partners to exchange content rich information, and ultimately expand the reach of business, enhance global trade, and reduce supply chain costs," said OTA President Mike Kistner, Vice President and Chief Information Officer for Best Western International.

Specifically, Version 2001B provides users with the ability to:

Search for specific hotels, check for availability, and make a reservation
Check the availability of car rentals and simplify the steps to making that reservation
Book an air reservation
Obtain and book quotes on travel insurance that best fits a traveler's needs

Building on 2001B, Version 2001C gives users the ability to:

Request and respond to airline flight availability and point of sale information
Request and book comprehensive package holiday tours along with a variety of itinerary elements such as transportation, accommodation, car rental and other services
Check on the availability of golf courses and book a tee time
Search for specific hotels, check for availability, and make a reservation
Check the availability of car rentals and simplify the steps to making that reservation
Book an air reservation (simple booking)
Get and book quotes on travel insurance that best fits a traveler's needs

As with all OTA specifications, 2001B and 2001C include complementary information such as XML Schema documents that streamline implementation and provide sample XML instance documents and a complete text description of the XML content.

To view 2001B and supporting documentation, visit http://www.opentravel.org/opentravel/2001b.cfm. To view 2001C and supporting documentation, visit http://www.opentravel.org/opentravel/2001c.cfm.

About OTA

The OpenTravelAlliance (www.opentravel.org) develops communications specifications to allow for the efficient and effective exchange of travel industry information via the Internet. With over 150 members representing influential names in all sectors of the travel industry, OTA is comprised of representatives from the airlines, car rental firms, hotels, leisure suppliers, service providers, tour operators, travel agencies, and trade associations. OTA working groups, together with an OTA interoperability committee to coordinate their efforts, develop open Internet-compatible messages using XML.

Contact

The OpenTravel Alliance
Julia O'Brien
Tel: +1 703/837-6155
Email: jobrien@disa.org

Prepared by Robin Cover for The XML Cover Pages archive. See "OpenTravel Alliance (OTA)"; complete references in the news item.

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