Travel Exchange Asia Appoints Chief Executive

July 23, 2001

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Travel Exchange Asia Appoints Chief Executive

Asia Pacific’s leading business-to-consumer (B2C) and business-to-business-to-consumer (B2B2C) travel portal, Travel Exchange Asia (TEA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Pascal Bordat as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Travel Exchange Asia is a joint venture between 11 leading Asia Pacific airlines and Travelocity.com, the leading travel web site. The airlines are Air New Zealand, Ansett, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, EVA Air, Garuda Indonesia, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Royal Brunei Airlines, SilkAir and Singapore Airlines.

As CEO, one of his key tasks is to make TEA the Asia-Pacific's leading business-to-consumer (B2C) and business-to-business-to-consumer (B2B2C) travel portal. With more than 12 years’ travel industry and online experience, Pascal has a proven track record in driving market growth and brings unique credentials to the region. Prior to joining TEA, he was Chief Operating Officer of Travelprice.com, a leading Pan-European online travel agency. Before this, Pascal spent 10 years with Amadeus Global Travel Distribution, the world’s leading Global Distribution Service (GDS).

Pascal comments, “I am excited by the prospect of playing a key role in revolutionising the way travel is booked online across Asia Pacific. TEA’s unique service will be delivered through local sites and will offer value added services and products, from airline tickets to accommodation, car rentals and tour packages when it is fully launched.

“It will enable New Zealanders and other Asia Pacific travellers access to a wealth of customised, travel-related information backed by an unprecedented level of customer service”.

As COO of Travelprice.com, Pascal led the successful expansion of the company into seven European countries and Canada. During his tenure, the company grew from 20 to 300 employees, together with a 35-fold increase in revenue; and Travelprice.com was able to establish itself as one of the top travel brands in Europe within a short time.

As Amadeus’ Director, New Distribution Technologies, Pascal created the business unit that successfully drove the company into the online business by developing and marketing private label booking engines that are now used by thousands of travel agencies, airlines and hotel chains worldwide. He was responsible for securing online joint ventures with leading media and portal companies. Earlier, as the company’s Business Development Manager, Pascal played a key role in developing new businesses and strategic alliances for the Amadeus Group.

Pascal Bordat is a graduate of Ecole Centrale de Paris, France and also holds a Master’s degree from Stanford University, USA. He is a member of the “Centre d’ Etude et de Prospective Strategique”, one of France’s most prestigious think tank groups, whose members comprise some of the country’s most respected individuals.
-ENDS-
***Photographs are available on request.

Note to Editor

Travel Exchange Asia aims to be the leading Asia-Pacific business-to-consumer(B2C) and business-to-business-to-consumer (B2B2C) travel portal. . It will offer the full spectrum of travel services and products including airline tickets, hotels, car rentals and tour packages.

Travel Exchange Asia is a joint venture between 11 leading Asia Pacific airlines and Travelocity.com, the leading travel web site. The airlines are Air New Zealand, Ansett, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, EVA Air, Garuda Indonesia, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Royal Brunei Airlines, SilkAir and Singapore Airlines.

Issued by : Travel Exchange Asia

Through : Weber Shandwick Worldwide
For further information, contact Lee Harris Royal
Tel: 09-307 1725 Mob: 025 230 5768
Email: harrisroyal@webershandwick.co.nz

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