This new leisure technology business unit is a multi-market, multi-channel, community distribution system for selling leisure content of all types.

Amadeus, a global provider of technology solutions to the travel and tourism industry, has created a new unit to provide tools for international leisure distribution. The unit is called TravelTainment – The Amadeus Leisure Group and brings together three Amadeus leisure technology businesses: TravelTainment, Amadeus Tours, and the product management and development for TOMA, a tour package distribution solution.

TravelTainment – The Amadeus Leisure Group will initially focus on Amadeus' existing market portfolios in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Holland, Belgium, Poland and the UK and other markets beyond Europe such as North America and Canada.

"We have brought together our technology and international leisure expertise into one organisation and are now in a unique position to meet our customers needs. We can help them as they face the emerging challenges of selling complex leisure products in the travel agency front office and over the internet," says Ian Wheeler, VP, Marketing, Amadeus, "The unique technology and data developed and aggregated by TravelTainment, The Amadeus Leisure Group, is the logical organisational base for this new approach to the market."

The combined leisure offering of TravelTainment, The Amadeus Leisure Group, is the only multi-market, multi-channel, community distribution system for selling leisure content of all type, including alternative packages, hotels, charters, Low Cost options and cruises. Leisure customers have access to a unique database of 470 destinations covering over 80% of the world's leisure destinations.

"This is very exciting for the evolution of Amadeus' leisure strategy," says Ralf Usbeck who continues as CEO, TravelTainment – The Amadeus Leisure Group, and takes on new responsibilities for Amadeus' global leisure strategy, "With this reorganisation we can focus the energy and technical expertise of Amadeus and TravelTainment on the huge opportunity represented by the complex leisure travel market."

Michael Kalt will be Managing Director, responsible for the Central IT and Hosting organisation and Germany; Andy Owen-Jones is Managing Director responsible for International Content and Connectivity, Sales and Operations. Both report to the CEO of TravelTainment – The Amadeus Leisure Group.