Despegar.com, the largest Online Travel Agency in Latin America, joins forces with GlobalCollect, the world's premier payment service provider of local e-payments, to grow its eCommerce footprint and revenue across the continent

AMSTERDAM--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Since its inception in 1999, Despegar has grown into the leading one-stop-shop online travel agency (OTA) in Latin America for leisure and corporate travel. Offering access to more than 500 airlines, 70 car rental agencies, thousands of leisure packages, as well as up to 100,000 hotels worldwide via Hotels Despegar.com., the OTA currently operates 12 offices across Latin America to serve customers locally. To help standardize ePayment processes and streamline operations across the various countries, Despegar has entered into a strategic partnership with GlobalCollect, which currently facilitates all its international credit card payments.

Localized payment methods are key to succeed in Latin America

While eCommerce is growing in Latin America, it is still at a much earlier stage than in the US or Europe. As a consequence, credit card rejections are much higher than in more mature markets and fraud charge backs a real issue. GlobalCollect took an active role as a consultant here to advise on locally preferred payment methods, build relationships with local partners, and implement customized solutions allowing Despegar:

• To confirm transactions immediately since flights, hotels, rental cars, etc. are being booked in real time
• To receive an automated reporting and reconciliation tool for its high transaction volume to help streamline back office procedures
• To boost conversion rates by offering popular alternative payment products such as real-time bank transfers and cash solutions in the future

Martin Rastellino, COO of Despegar, says: "GlobalCollect combines a world-class payment technology with a strongly committed and knowledgeable team. We use them as our main payment service provider and they have been key in helping Despegar improving the customer payment experience as well as streamlining the fulfillment process. In summary, partnering with GlobalCollect has been highly beneficial for Despegar and being able to outsource a number of steps - for example meeting local regulations - empowers us to focus on our core business. We highly recommend GlobalCollect and look forward to expanding our partnership to broaden our range of payment methods and tap into further markets."

Koen Vanpraet, CCO of GlobalCollect, continued: "We are delighted to play an active role in realizing Despegar's online sales strategy. Of all verticals, the travel sector enjoys particular growth potential when it comes to eCommerce. A fact reflected by Despegar evolving from being one of the five largest traditional travel agencies in 1999 to the largest OTA to date in Latin America. Next to the overall growth trend, this success story is of course also testimony to Despegar's outstanding product and service offer."

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About Despegar

Despegar.com is the largest travel agency in Latin America. Based in Miami and with a presence in 21 countries throughout the Latin American region and the US, the company employs 2,800 professionals. Via its website www.despegar.com you can buy tickets for 750 airlines, 150,000 hotels, cruises, and car rental services. You can buy online or via its own call centers - either way, Despegar.com always guarantees the lowest price in the market.

About GlobalCollect

GlobalCollect is the world's premier Payment Service Provider of local e-payment solutions for international Customer Not-Present (CNP) channels such as internet, mail, and telephone orders, and specializes in a wide range of industries such as travel, retail, online gaming, financial services, telecommunications, publishing, portals, and digital content. While most providers limit their services to a technical link with payment acquirers, GlobalCollect is a full service partner consulting clients on how to increase transaction volumes, expand distribution channels, and reduce costs by streamlining back office processes. Through a single-interface online payment platform, we offer access to an unrivalled portfolio of local and international payment methods in almost 200 countries, including all major credit and debit cards, direct debits, bank transfers, real-time bank transfers, eWallets, cash at outlets, prepaid methods, checks, and invoices. www.globalcollect.com

Contacts

Contact GlobalCollect
Bettina Duske
Senior Manager PR & Marketing Communications
tel: +31-(0)23 567 1500
e-mail: press.globalcollect@globalcollect.com