OTA Version 2002A

Enhanced OpenTravel Alliance XML Specification Accommodates Multiple Travel Verticals

OTA Releases Version 2002A For Public Review

Alexandria, VA, USA. June 25, 2002.

The OpenTravel Alliance (OTA) released Version 2002A of its Extensible Markup Language (XML) specification for public review.

Addressing multiple levels of interoperability across the travel verticals, Version 2002A enables organizations of all sizes to implement complex online transactions. The public review period extends through July 19, 2002 with final publication of the specification scheduled for July 31, 2002.

"The 2002A specification makes extensive use of OTA best practices and shared specification components, allowing for greater interoperability across all travel sectors," said OTA President Mike Kistner, Vice President and Chief Information Officer for Best Western International. "By incorporating such cross-industry components as customer, payment and flight arrival information in many of the OTA messages, travel trading partners will more easily be able to communicate essential traveler information."

Some of the key features in 2002A include the ability for users to:

Check on airline flight availability, either by low fare search or availability of flights for each leg of the journey, and book an air reservation
Request and reserve car rentals, with the capability to request special equipment, such as baby seats and hand controls
Search for specific hotels with numerous customer preferences, check for availability, and make a reservation
Request and book comprehensive package holiday tours along with a variety of itinerary elements such as transportation, accommodation, car rental, special services and extra products
Search for golf courses, inquire on availability, and book a tee time
Get and book quotes on various types of travel insurance

To view and comment on OTA Version 2002A, including text and XML message sets, visit:

http://www.opentravel.org/opentravel/ota_downloads_form.cfm?CFID=133490&CFTOKEN=26810734

About OTA

The OpenTravel Alliance (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
Alexandria, VA, USA
Julia O'Brien
Tel: 703/837-6155
Email: jobrien@disa.org

Prepared by Robin Cover for The XML Cover Pages archive. See: "OpenTravel Alliance (OTA)."

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