Alan Young has over 24 years of travel industry experience with extensive knowledge of Hotel Information Systems particularly on developing software applications for the global hospitality industry primarily in the property management and central reservations areas. Young's focus during the past years has been to aid hospitality technology start-up companies within the on-line travel distribution arena, most notably Newtrade Technologies where he was Vice President of Hotel Systems and Integration. Prior to joining IBS as head of its Canada operations, Young was Vice President, Supplier Sales for Hotel Booking Solutions Incorporated (HBSi) recently acquired by the IBS Group.

Commenting on his election as Chairperson of the Board of Directors at OTA, Alan Young said “With the ever changing dynamics of the travel industry, OTA will become even more important to both the vendor and supplier communities because implementing the standard has proven cost and efficiency benefits. This is a very exciting time for OTA and I am honored to help guide the direction of OpenTravel”

On the occasion V K Mathews, Chairman and CEO, IBS Group said, “IBS has always had the best industry talent, to fulfil our committment to deliver new-generation technology solutions that help the travel industry redefine its business. We are justifiably proud that Alan has been elected to chair the Board of Directors at OTA, in which post he is sure to make significant contributions”

About Open Travel Alliance

The OpenTravel Alliance (OTA) is passionate about solving the problems inherent to connecting multiple systems within the complex travel distribution arena. OTA’s mission is to engineer specifications that make data transmission flow smoothly throughout the travel, tourism and hospitality industry sectors. OTA creates, expands and drives adoption of open universal data specifications, including but not limited to the use of XML, for the electronic exchange of business information among all sectors of the travel industry.

With a diversified membership representing influential names in all sectors of the travel industry, OTA is comprised of representatives from airlines, car rental firms, hotels, cruise lines, leisure suppliers, service providers, tour operators, travel agencies, and trade associations. Thousands of OTA message structures are in use, carrying tens of millions of messages between trading partners every day.

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About IBS

The IBS Group (IBS) is a leading global provider of new-generation IT solutions to the Travel, Transportation and Logistics industries. A specialist in the domain, IBS offers a range of products and services that manage mission-critical operations of major airlines, airports, oil and gas companies, seaports, cruise lines, hotels and tour operators world-wide. SEI CMMI Level 5 and PCMM Level 5 assessed, ISO 9001:2000, TickIT and ISO 27001:2005 certified, IBS operates four software development centers across the world. With some of the world's leading corporations as customers, IBS has business operations in the Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, supported through 13 global business centers.

More information on IBS is available at www.ibsplc.com

For media enquiries, please contact Satish Nair at +91-471-2700080 or email: SatishN@ibsplc.com