Travelport a leading Travel Commerce Platform, has today announced that it will sponsor and participate in the Just Do It! 2.0 Mini-Hackathon on the OpenTravel 2.0 object model solution at the OpenTravel Alliance Advisory Forum later this month.
The key focus of the OpenTravel Alliance is the creation and promotion of standardized electronic message structures to facilitate communication between the disparate data systems of companies in the global travel industry. OpenTravel’s 2.0 is the next generation of open source messaging for the travel industry, ensuring information flows seamlessly from the initial consumer choice through completion of travel booking. Its annual OpenTravel Advisory Forum, which is being held at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, Orlando, Florida from May 16-19, is the annual meeting of the group and provides an opportunity for all members of the travel industry to discuss the key IT challenges in the industry, network with peers, and stay ahead of the curve with education on emerging trends in technology and solutions being developed.
The Travelport-sponsored mini-hackathon will involve groups of software developers, computer programmers and technical experts coming together in one location to intensively collaborate on various travel industry opportunities and solutions made possible through the OpenTravel 2.0 object-oriented model. The mini-hackathon is a short duration event, lasting only for part of the afternoon on May 18.
Developing the technology that supports the mini-hackathon is just one of the ways that Travelport has been working with OpenTravel to create the next generation of open source messaging for the travel industry. Travelport professionals hold several key volunteer leadership roles at OpenTravel, and their efforts support and enhance the coding used to create and manage the OpenTravel 2.0 libraries. Travelport also participates in ongoing development meetings to define commonly used objects, as well as objects used for specific projects such as the recently released eRFP messages used to request proposals for group meeting and hospitality facilities.
“At Travelport, one of the many ways we are redefining travel commerce is by leading the development of travel industry technology that fundamentally improves usability through open and easy to use message compatibility. What users will see in the OpenTravel mini-hackathon is just a first look at the capabilities that are being delivered to the industry that will fundamentally change the way that data and information are shared, and we are very excited to be a part of it,” said Matt Minetola, CIO and executive vice president for Travelport.
“It is important to us that we play a significant role in OpenTravel’s first 
. It helps participants across the Travel industry see first-hand the improved consistency, simplicity and flexibility that is provided with 2.0,” added Minetola.
. It helps participants across the Travel industry see first-hand the improved consistency, simplicity and flexibility that is provided with 2.0,” added Minetola.
“As an industry leader in travel technology, Travelport plays an integral role in helping OpenTravel achieve its goals,” said Lisa Fues, OpenTravel Board president. “Its strategic and tactical support has ranged from leading the efforts to launch OpenTravel’s 2.0 object model solution to providing talented staff who volunteer their time to help steer our organization and we very much appreciate its help.”
The mini-hackathon will take place on May 18 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. EST.
