Travelocity Call Center Employees Offered Jobs with Orbitz

By Michelle Nicolson
TMCnet Contributing Writer

As the result of the Orbitz Worldwide buyout of Travelocity Partner Network earlier this year, 88 call center employees are set to lose their jobs when the Travelocity call center closes on August 31. However, Orbitz reports most of the employees were offered jobs with the company and have the choice to remain employed after the two businesses are merged, according to Tim Enstrice, Orbitz spokesperson.

“We are continuing to work closely with all involved parties to ensure that as many current employees as possible can maintain employment in the business following new ownership,” said Keith Nowak, spokesperson for Travelocity Partner Network. “We are working to determine ways that many of our current employees can transition into new roles where their skills can continue to be put to work serving partners and customers.”

Travelocity Partner Network was sold in February to Orbitz Worldwide. Orbitz reports it would like to keep as many people as possible, and employees can decide whether or not they want to continue their jobs with the company, according to Enstrice.

Orbitz, an online travel company based in Chicago, operates a website to help consumers research, plan and book travel. In February 2014, the company acquired assets and contracts from Travelocity Partner Network, which provides private label travel technology for bank loyalty programs and online commerce sites. At the time the acquisition was accounted, the company planned to integrate the operations of the Travelocity Partner Network into the Orbitz Partner Network.

"The acquisition of Travelocity Partner Network assets will accelerate our growth in the private label space and expand the range of customized solutions we are able to offer to customers, in particular in the loyalty area," said Ronnie Gurion, president of Orbitz Partner Network, in a statement about the acquisition. "We look forward to welcoming the customers and employees of the Travelocity Partner Network to Orbitz Worldwide."