Thomas Cook Goes Live with Softvoyage "SAX" Technology


TORONTO, June 23, 2003 -- Thomas Cook has launched a newly redesigned e-commerce travel website using "SAX," the latest technology from Quebec-based travel industry software leader Softvoyage.

"We had some very specific needs that came out of a series of focus groups with our franchisees, corporate store managers and customers," says David Betts, Vice President and General Manager for Thomas Cook. "In partnership with Softvoyage and Montreal-based web design company NURUN, I believe we were able to create a site that offers greater flexibility and personalization for our agencies and improved ease-of-use and functionality for our customers."

Using SAX, Thomas Cook agencies can now create personalized individual 'micro' sites that reflect the distinctiveness of each agency. Member agencies now have the flexibility to add local content, promote specialty groups, add or delete preferred Tour Operators adjust margins and much more. Thomas Cook plans to have over 200 micro sites online before year end and 350 by the end of 2004.

Softvoyage CEO Steve Ringuet adds: "We listened very carefully to the needs of Thomas Cook and as a result made a lot of modifications to the site. We are very proud of the results. We firmly believe that the new www.thomascook.ca will be a dominant player in the Canadian online travel booking arena. The revamped approach is just as efficient for Thomas Cook agencies in smaller communities as it is in the large centres."

Thomas Cook is Canada's largest leisure retail travel company with over 200 Thomas Cook, Marlin Travel and Marlin Travel at Wal-Mart locations. As well, the company operates 27 foreign exchange bureaus, the Thomas Cook Affinity and Reward Travel business and the Thomascook.ca online booking site. In total, Thomas Cook employs over 800 people at its Canadian locations.

For further information, please contact:
Daniel Langevin
Vice-President, Sales and Marketing
(905) 695-0422 ext. 109