Teldar Travel, a B2B hotel booking platform, has launched in the US. To spearhead the expansion, the company has appointed travel industry veteran Ed Jones as director of sales USA. A subsidiary of European hospitality giant Accor and part of the Gekko Group, Teldar Travel, according to an announcement, offers a booking platform exclusively reserved for travel advisors, providing access to over 2 million accommodations worldwide, ranging from five-star hotels and major chains to boutique properties and unique stays.

Teldar’s U. rollout, said the announcement, “is more than a market entry; it’s the arrival of a technology-forward, advisor-centric alternative.” Designed specifically for the North American market, said the announcement, the platform brings a suite of key benefits aimed at increasing profitability and simplifying the booking experience for travel professionals. Those benefits include:

• Advisor-only access: The platform is 100% B2B and exclusively for licensed travel professionals. No direct-to-consumer competition ever.
•  Massive inventory, global reach: Over 2 million properties worldwide, from luxury resorts to local hidden gems, available in real time with competitive rates.
• Flexible & seamless payments:  Multi-credit card payments with no limit, deposit options and instant confirmations. Pay-by-link: Travelers receive a secure payment link to complete transactions online. Split payments: enabling each participant in a group to pay their own share independently.
•  Fast and transparent commission handling: A bi-monthly ACH commission transfer system (on the 15th and last day of each month) ensures agencies are paid faster than the market standard. A built-in tracking dashboard allows advisors to monitor and export commission data directly from their account.
•  API integration: Access to one of the largest hotel inventories on the market with a fast and high-performance API.
• Loyalty program:  Through Miles Attack, advisors earn 1 mile for every $2 sold on the platform. These miles can be redeemed for personal travel discounts or converted into real dollars and transferred directly to the advisor’s bank account.

Adam McKnight, chief growth officer, Gekko Group, said, “Our platform was built with the travel advisor in mind, from flexibility in payments to fast commission payouts.” He said Jones’s experience and deep industry relationships “make him the perfect leader to drive our growth in this dynamic market.”

With more than 25 years of experience in the travel industry, Jones has had roles at American Airlines, cruise lines and B2B hotel platforms. He said, “My mission is simple: empower travel advisors with the tools, support and service they deserve.”  He added, “Teldar Travel offers a level of flexibility and efficiency that can truly make a difference in day-to-day operations.”