Amadeus, Travelport and Sabre have briefly tossed their differences aside to come together to back the launch of a fundraising programme to help support global health projects.
The trio have joined a number of other travel firms to back MassiveGood, a project which allows US travellers to donate $2 every time they book a air ticket, buy a hotel room or rent a car on the web.
MassiveGood is led by former US president Bill Clinton, United Nations' secretary-general Ban Ki-moon and a string of musicians, actors and other politicians, including UK prime minister Gordon Brown, to raise money for projects to fight HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis.
A film to support the launch, featuring Samuel L Jackson, Susan Sarandon and directed by Spike Lee, was unveiled today at the UN in New York.
Available in the US from today, MassiveGood will extend to European travel sites during 2010.
The system works by having a dedicated button within the booking path to allow users to make their $2 pledge.
Sam Gilliland, chief executive and chairman of Sabre Holdings:
"This is one of those unique opportunities where you unite as a travel industry to help tackle the challenges faced by those in developing countries. With more than 40% of the world’s travel agencies using Sabre, we feel confident that we can make a positive contribution to Massive Good, and encourage travelers to support this when launched.
Jeff Clarke, chief executive of Travelport:
"As a GDS partner in this ambitious project, Travelport has the opportunity to use our global reach and a distribution system that touches millions of travelers each year to meet an urgent humanitarian need."
Sam Gilliland, chief executive and chairman of Sabre Holdings:
"This is one of those unique opportunities where you unite as a travel industry to help tackle the challenges faced by those in developing countries. With more than 40% of the world’s travel agencies using Sabre, we feel confident that we can make a positive contribution to MassiveGood, and encourage travelers to support this when launched.
Jeff Clarke, chief executive of Travelport:
"As a GDS partner in this ambitious project, Travelport has the opportunity to use our global reach and a distribution system that touches millions of travelers each year to meet an urgent humanitarian need."
Other backers include Accor and Travelocity.