Bangkok--Jan 18--eTurboNews
The Competition Authority launched a comprehensive three-year investigation (in March 2003) into a complaint by GforGo Ltd, which resulted in the Competition Authority issuing a detailed enforcement order against Timas Ltd (ta Galileo Ireland) on the 11th.January 2006.
Click here for full Terms and Conditions of Enforcement Order. (or view on www.tca.ie )
Briefly in 2002 GforGo.com had developed, what was considered by many as groundbreaking technology, to allow travel agents offer the best deals in many aspects of travel, to consumers. GforGo.com sought permission to allow Galileo agents to use this technology. Galileo Ireland refused permission. GforGo Ltd tried un-successfully to change Galileo's mind, which led them to commencing a complaint to the Competition Authority.
'Needless to say the refusal of Galileo Ireland, to allow us provide our technology to the Irish travel industry, has had a serious effect on our business, future planned development and expansion. In fact without the personal financial intervention of the directors the company would have had to cease trading some time ago. But we always felt it was important to fight this case, and are happy at the Competition Authority's investigation and conclusion.' said Gerry Benson (Managing Director GforGo Ltd).
Paul Gorecki (Director of the Competition Authority's Monopolies Division) said
' The successful conclusion of the Competition Authority's investigation will provide vital access to computerised reservation systems for anybody developing new technology for the travel industry. The focus of this specific complaint was to allow travel agents to search more effectively and efficiently for the best value for their consumers'
Gerry Benson (Managing Director GforGo) further stated;
'GforGo Ltd is now meeting with its legal and business advisors, to consider the next steps. The Competition Authority decision has significant implications for all GDSs worldwide on how access is provided to third party developers.
Finally this matter shows that we as an industry can take on important issues, and be successful. I hope the Travel Industry world-wide will benefit from the decision '
For further information please contact Gerry Benson +3531 670 4842 or [email protected] .
For information on GforGo and Gerry Benson see following.
Gerry Benson...Managing Director GforGo Ltd.
Gerry Benson (Managing Director of GforGo Ltd) has over 30 years experience in the travel industry. During this time he has managed and owned a successful travel company, and has experience second to none. He has actively participated in the Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA), during this time serving on most of the committees therein, culminating in his role as President (1995/6 and 1998/99). He is presently a Trustee of the ITAAs trust fund. He is accepted as the expert in Travel Technology in Ireland, and has been a guest speaker at many seminars.
GforGo Ltd
GforGo Go was conceived and developed by a team of industry visionaries that has been prominent in the Irish Travel Industry since the early 1990s. The forerunner to GforGo.com was TILS, an innovative Consolidator Fares distribution system, which was launched in 1991. The insight and drive which was responsible for the successful deployment of TILS, throughout the 1990's has now been brought to bear in the development of GforGo.com, a revolutionary internet-based system which is aimed at providing the travel industry with sales tools which provides customers with the capability to optimise revenue generation whilst taking cost out of the sales process.
For more information, please contact
TravelPress.biz, eTurboNews, P.O.Box 208, Haleiwa, HI 96712-0208 USA,
PH: +1-808-521-2800 FAX: +1-310-362-8973
www.travelpress.biz [email protected] End.