In its first plenary session, the electronic business XML or ebXML initiative announced two of its project teams will test early deliverables with content based on the OpenTravel Alliance specification. The ebXML initiative is developing the first common global e-business message structure and syntax based on the Extensible Markup Language or XML, and is holding its second working meeting this week in Brussels.

The OpenTravel Alliance has been working on an XML specification (tags, DTDs, infrastructure etc.) for use across the widely-defined travel industry since May 1999. Several political, organizational, and technical challenges had to be overcome to enable it, working with its over 100 member organizations (airlines, hotel chains, travel agencies, Global Distribution Systems, software companies, companies with large numbers of ‘managed’ travelers, etc.), to publish Version 1 of its specification for public review in February 2000. The challenges and the solutions to them are discussed.

The OpenTravel Alliance (OTA) announced OTA's release of Version 2001C of its Extensible Markup Language (XML) specification for public review. Version 2001C includes both the ebXML-OTA mapping and best practices documents. Originally released December 21, 2001, OTA has extended the traditional 30-day review period to January 31, 2002, due to the holidays.

The following list describes the focus of all past OTA specification releases and provides an update as to where things stand today:

The OpenTravel Alliance (OTA) is witnessing widespread adoption of its multi-functional Extensible Markup Language (XML) specification that supports multiple types of essential travel-related transactions. With the recent publication of versions 2001B and C, the OTA specification is emerging as a significant contributor to next generation systems and applications.

The OpenTravel Alliance (OTA) published today its Version 1 specifications that gives the travel industry one universal format for collecting and exchanging customer preferences among airlines, hotels, car rental companies, tour operators, travel agencies, and related services. OTA has provided copies of the version to the ebXML meeting that is being held in San Jose, Calif., this week.

The OpenTravel Alliance (OTA) released Version 2002A of its Extensible Markup Language (XML) specification for public review. Addressing multiple levels of interoperability across the travel verticals, Version 2002A enables organizations of all sizes to implement complex online transactions.

The OpenTravel Alliance (OTA), whose members are working diligently to strengthen and build solidarity for the travel industry, released today Version 2001A of its specification. Merging the OTA and Hospitality Industry Technology Integration Standards (HITIS) respective customer profiles, the Alliance unites the requirements of both hospitality and travel industries into one comprehensive specification.

The OpenTravel Alliance (OTA) published Versions 2001B and 2001C of its Extensible Markup Language (XML) specifications, which help all sectors of travel communicate more efficiently and effectively by simplifying the implementation and transmission of complex electronic transactions.

Worldspan, the leader in global reservation systems and e-commerce for the travel industry, today announced the election of John Charlesworth, director – Product Engineering for the company, to the OpenTravelÔ Alliance (OTA) Board of Directors.

A small, collection of FAQs on OTA.

OTA Version 2001A merges the OTA and Hospitality Industry Technology Integration Standards (HITIS) respective customer profiles into one comprehensive profile.

The OpenTravel Alliance (OTA) released Version 2001B of its specification for public review. Unifying what is traditionally a fragmented industry, OTA harmonizes global travel processes by developing specifications using Extensible Markup Language (XML).

The OpenTravel Alliance (OTA) is a self-funded, non-profit organization comprised of major airlines, hoteliers, car rental companies, leisure suppliers, travel agencies, global distribution systems, technology providers, and other interested parties working to create and implement industry-wide, open e-business specifications.

The OpenTravel Alliance (OTA) announced today the release of Version 2002B of its Extensible Markup Language (XML) specification for public review and comment.

The OpenTravel Alliance (OTA), whose members are working diligently to strengthen and build solidarity for the travel industry, released today Version 2001A of its specification.

The OpenTravel Alliance (OTA) published Versions 2001B and 2001C of its Extensible Markup Language (XML) specifications, which help all sectors of travel communicate more efficiently and effectively by simplifying the implementation and transmission of complex electronic transactions.

An announcement from the OpenTravel Alliance (OTA) describes a public review release of the enhanced Version 2002A XML Message Specification.

The OpenTravel Alliance (OTA) has released today Version 2001A of its specification, complete with XML DTDs, W3C XML Schemas, and supporting prose documentation. The XML-based OTA specification provides for the exchange of messages in the travel industry, covering airlines, car rentals, hotels, and other travel services. Part I "describes the base technical architecture used by the OpenTravel Alliance for message exchanges, including transport protocols, identification and connections to trading partners, security and privacy, and infrastructure required to identify the message content and route it to the proper application handler.

The Open Travel Alliance specification is being developed to allow customers and travel services providers (including airlines, car rental agencies, hotels, passenger rail services, leisure travel providers such as cruise lines and tour services,travel arrangers and global distribution systems) to exchange customer profile information (and later more services and functionality) via the internet.