TOWARD Europe signs six new members CT2, Norwegian Coastal Voyage, Anite Travel Systems, Comtec, NDL, and Worldspan join industry organisation.

30 May 2003 � TOWARD Europe today announces the signing of six new members, increasing membership of the pioneering organisation to 28 travel companies Europe-wide.

New recruits to the organisation � created to maximise the commercial success of travel industry companies by optimising distribution through industry-wide agreement on best use of technology � include CT2, a tour operator specialising in the Canary Islands, Spain, the Balearics, Portugal and South Africa, and Norwegian Coastal Voyage, one of the UK�s biggest niche cruise operators.

Also joining TOWARD Europe are Anite Travel Systems, one of the travel and transportation industries� leading managed services, reservations systems and e-commerce providers; Comtec, the travel industry�s leading agency software developer; Network Designers Ltd, a specialist in the integration of disparate IT systems, and travel technology provider Worldspan.

Speaking at the organisation�s second members� meeting, Alister Beveridge, TOWARD Europe�s acting-chairman and Group IT director of Cosmos, said: �We are delighted to welcome all these new members. Their decision to join TOWARD Europe is evidence that the industry supports our goal of improving travel industry distribution.�

TOWARD Europe launched in April 2003 with 22 founder members including Accor, Amadeus, Cosmos, Hertz Europe, Travel 2, Eurostar and RWA.

The organisation represents, informs and educates on behalf of its members in order to improve electronic distribution and fulfilment of tour operator product to agents and consumers. TOWARD Europe is targeting European tour operators, suppliers, technology providers and other companies across the travel industry for recruitment, and has established a dedicated hotline to deal with membership enquiries (+44 (0) 20 7691 3938). TOWARD Europe will also recruit a president from one of Europe�s major tour operating groups.

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Notes to editors

About TOWARD Europe: TOWARD Europe�s launch objective is to secure change in distribution within today�s dynamic travel market through agreement on best use of technology. The organisation will represent, inform and educate on behalf of its members in order to improve electronic distribution and fulfilment of tour operator product to agents and consumers.

The organisation officially launched to the travel sector in April 2003 with the formation of a management committee and two working groups. Toward Europe�s 22 founder members from across Europe include Amadeus, Eurostar and Hertz Europe.

TOWARD Europe has established two working groups, �Supplier to Tour Operator� and �Tour Operator to Distribution Channel�, whose combined goal is to recognise the issues faced by tour operators and to optimise the travel industry�s entire distribution chain - from suppliers to agents and the end consumer.

A seven-strong management will drive TOWARD Europe in the market and comprises acting-chairman, Alister Beveridge, Group IT director of Cosmos; Ghislain D'Auvigny, web distribution director, Accor; Bill Barnes, business development manager, Amadeus; Mike Eivers, sales and marketing director, Boscolo Tours; William Hennessy, director, automation marketing at Hertz Europe; Mark Bradbury, director business development, RWA and Paul Mahoney, IT director, Travel 2.

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