Stella Travel Services (UK), has announced plans to roll-out Comtec’s Travelink sales and management system across its Travel 2 and Travelbag long-haul and tailor-made tour operating brands.

The 5-year deal will result in Travelink replacing several in-house, third party and manual systems to deliver a single call-centre and e-commerce selling platform. The first phase of implementation is due to be completed by the end of 2008.

Comtec already provides technology to Travelbag, Harvey World Travel and Global Travel Group, Stella Travel Services (UK)’s other U.K. travel brands. Stella indicated that several alternative technology solutions were evaluated, however Travelink was chosen as its distribution capabilities fit well with the group’s business models and because of the operational benefits which will be delivered to its selling teams and clients.

Commenting on the deal, Gordon Maynard, IT Director at Stella Travel Services (UK) said, "Implementing Travelink will enable us to manage and distribute wholesale travel products far more efficiently – both to Travel 2's independent travel agent partners who Travel 2 work with and the retail agents within The Stella Group in the UK. We are excited by the benefits we will be able to offer to our independent agent partners, by handling their calls more efficiently and offering more product to be booked by agents on line."

Travelink will be used to manage direct ground product contracts and will also provide direct links into 3rd-party product suppliers. Integration with HitchHiker's Air Tariff Management solution will provide access to the complex flight components required for the group’s tailor-made long haul travel products.

Comtec's Director of New Business Sales and Marketing, Howard Frost commented, "Our agreement with Stella Travel Services showcases how Comtec can offer large travel companies a complete tour operating, distribution and retailing solution. We're delighted to be extending our technology partnership with this ambitious and fast-growing travel company."