Train Chartering signs as Rail Distributor for ONElink4Travel

Train Chartering has signed a Distributor Agreement for an e-commerce distribution & settlement system (ONElink4Travel) for the distribution of and payment for rail products between travel agents and train companies and railways net of commission

(PRWEB) August 21, 2003 --- Train Chartering will soon be able to offer smaller Train companies the opportunity to use ONElink4Travel's global distribution and financial settlement services.Travel agents around the world will be able to book travel and tickets from companies such as regional, luxury and tourist Train operators, rail tours and heritage railways.This is the first time that the rail industry has had easy access at low cost to travel agents with automatic payment.

The Train Chartering Company Ltd continues to expand its range of services and products by signing a Distributor Agreement with FS2 Ltd, which has developed and operates an e-commerce distribution and settlement system (ONElink4Travel) for the distribution of travel and travel related products and services to travel agents and the settlement of amounts due between travel agents and travel suppliers net of commission.ONElink4Travel has created the world's first integrated, Internet-based distribution and financial settlement service for the international travel and tourism industry. Developed in collaboration with a group of technology partners, ONElink4Travel allows suppliers of non air travel - such as car rental, hotels, rail operators, cruise lines, ferries, travel insurance, events promoters and tour operators - to market their services more efficiently and cost effectively. Suppliers will have access to travel agencies in 146 countries worldwide.Train Chartering will now be able to offer a wide range of train and rail companies the opportunity to place products in front of these travel agents. Trains such as the Orient Express, the Royal Scotsman, the Royal Orient in India, the Blue Train of Africa and the Rocky Mountaineer in western Canada, as well as local trains and private carriages for corporate and social events could soon be bookable by travellers globally. In addition to these luxury, tourist and specialty trains, Train Chartering, through the ONElink4Travel service, will provide the small and medium-sized rail companies around the world with on-line access to travel agencies."The 21st century is witnessing the renaissance of rail, as business travellers and tourists discover the convenience and benefits of trains. As interest in rail travel grows, so also does the fascination with tourist and luxury trains. However both scheduled and special trains need an effective distribution and settlement channel to the travel agents, that only ONElink4Travel offers," said Fay Lejeune, Train Chartering's Operations Director."We cannot overstate the positive impact this agreement will have on travel agents, rail companies and their customers," said Bill Guerin, chairman and chief executive officer of ONElink4Travel. "It will be the first time that such a range of trains worldwide will be bookable by agents, thus adding real value to both their bottom line and the travel experience.""Last year," continued Guerin, "the targeted travel agencies booked over 300 million airline tickets. ONElink4Travel is bringing new sources of income to these travel agents with the first integrated, Internet-based booking and payment service for non-airline products that assures travel agents of commissions paid upfront in their local currency, and provides travel suppliers with a new distribution channel and guaranteed payment in their local currency as well."Among the types of rail companies that will benefit are tourist trains, rail tours, historic steam railways and attractions. ONElink4Travel, through Train Chartering and other distributors, will also help those rail suppliers without fully developed and widely marketed websites with online booking, as well as entrepreneurs and organizers wishing to run special trains for particular events. All these clients will enjoy expanded marketing of their products as well as improved cash flow through electronic payment, while travel agents will now have on-line access to a diverse choice of products, providing greater value to their customers."Train Chartering is delighted to be working closely with ONElink4Travel in offering its services to rail companies, thus acting as a major catalyst for the evolution of their businesses," said Fay Lejeune, "We will be evangelical in our enthusiasm for ONElink4Travel, urging rail companies worldwide to bring their trains to the global market through travel agents.""The rail industry's global distribution channels are currently underdeveloped, with smaller companies being particularly disadvantaged", said Guerin, " ONElink4Travel's agreement with Train Chartering is an important step forward in raising the profile and profitability of global train travel."Train Chartering (www.trainchartering.com) is a pioneer of a coordinated approach to sourcing, customisation and crewing of special trains for corporate and upscale private events.About ONElink4Travel:www.bsponelink.comWith headquarters in San Francisco and operations in the United Kingdom, ONElink4Travel, Inc has created the world's first integrated, Internet-based distribution and financial settlement service for the international travel and tourism industry.