International Travel Informationdls3.wspan.com/learningcenter/PDFs/Virtual Outlines... · International Travel Information Instructor Outline 04/03 Page 3 þ Instructors’ Notes

International Travel Information Instructor Outline

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Lesson: International Travel Information

Total Time: Content: Question/Answer:

60 Minutes 45 Minutes 15 Minutes

Lesson Description: This class is designed as an overview of the international travel information available in Worldspan. GRS topics and Timatic are reviewed. Author: Lori Scumaci SME: Unknown Approved: Master PNRs: Not Applicable Instructors’ notes: None

Instructor Outline International Travel Information

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Welcome to International Travel Information

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Objectives:

At the end of this lesson, you will be able to access and utilize:

• GRS topics • Timatic • Weather and Climate • Travel Advisories and Warnings

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Our first topic is:

• GRS Reference System − HELP GRSLIST − GWTS – Worldspan Travel Suppliers


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þ Instructors’ Notes

The Global Reference System, known as GRS, is an information system containing data on air, car, hotel, tour, and other travel suppliers. GRS is divided into categories and categories are divided into subjects. Each subject has a maximum of 255 pages and 255 lines. GRS can be displayed at any time and does not require the PNR to be ignored when displaying this information. The information does not interrupt an active PNR.

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GRS Topics Include-

• GDAY – Daily Subscriber Briefing • HELP – Format Assistance • INFO – Detailed Information on Formats • INFO READ – Upcoming Enhancements • HELP GRSLIST - GRS Participant list • GWTS – Worldspan Travel Suppliers


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: Application Sharing

1. Access the GRS participant list.

HELP GRS LIST <ENTER>

RATE DESK PRICING PARTICIPANT LIST HELP RDPLIST GLOBAL REFERENCE SYSTEM PARTICIPANT LIST HELP GRSLIST AIRLINE CODE GRS ENTRY RDP GUIDELINES ----------------------------------------------------------- AER LINGUS EI >G/AIR/EI0 ( >G/AIR/GDE/RDPEI ( AEROMEXICO AM >G/AIR/AM0 ( >G/AIR/GDE/RDPAM ( AEROPERU PL >G/AIR/PL0 ( >G/AIR/GDE/RDPPL ( AIR CANADA AC >G/AIR/AC0 ( >G/AIR/GDE/RDPAC ( AIR FRANCE AF >G/AIR/AF0 ( >G/AIR/GDE/RDPAF ( AIR INDIA AI >G/AIR/AI0 ( >G/AIR/GDE/RDPAI ( AIR NEW ZEALAND NZ >G/AIR/NZ0 ( >G/AIR/GDE/RDPNZ ( ALL NIPPON NH >G/AIR/NH0 ( >G/AIR/GDE/RDPNH ( ALM ANTILLEAN LM >G/AIR/LM0 ( >G/AIR/GDE/RDPLM ( ALITALIA AZ >G/AIR/AZ0 ( >G/AIR/GDE/RDPAZ ()>


This page lists airlines participating in the Global Reference System in alphabetical order. The 2 columns, GRS ENTRY and RDP GUIDELINES, have tab stops to make it easier to access the required information.


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2. Move down to see additional airlines.

MD <ENTER>

AMERICA WEST HP >G/AIR/HP0 ( >G/AIR/GDE/RDPHP ( AMERICAN AA >G/AIR/AA0 ( >G/AIR/GDE/RDPAA ( AUSTRIAN OS >G/AIR/OS0 ( >G/AIR/GDE/RDPOS ( AVIANCA AV >G/AIR/AV0 ( >G/AIR/GDE/RDPAV ( BAHAMASAIR UP >G/AIR/UP0 ( >G/AIR/GDE/RDPUP (* BRITISH AIRWAYS BA >G/AIR/BA0 ( >G/AIR/GDE/RDPBA ( CANADA 3000 2T >G/AIR/CA3 ( --------------- CAYMAN AIRWAYS KX >G/AIR/KX0 ( --------------- CATHAY PACIFIC CX >G/AIR/CX0 ( >G/AIR/GDE/RDPCX ( CHINA AIRLINES CI --------- ( >G/AIR/GDE/RDPCI ( CONTINENTAL CO >G/AIR/CO0 ( >G/AIR/GDE/RDPCO ( DELTA DL >G/AIR/DL0 ( >G/AIR/GDE/RDPDL ( ELY EL AL LY ---------- ( QEP/LY0/19 EVA AIRWAYS BR >G/AIR/BR0 ( --------------- FINNAIR AY >G/AIR/AY0 ( >G/AIR/GDE/RDPAY ()>


To access the desired airline’s GRS index pages; tab to the third column, titled GRS ENTRY. If the line is blank, such as China Airlines, the airline does not maintain GRS pages in Worldspan.


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3. Access the GRS index pages for British Airways and briefly review.

G/AIR/BA0 <ENTER>

CATEGORY-AI1 SUBJECT-BA0 ... INDEX PAGE 001 001 *** BRITISH AIRWAYS-NYC INDEX *** 002 * 003 KEYWORD DESCRIPTION UPDATE ACCESS 004 ******* *********** ******* ****** 005 AD75 AD75/TRAVEL AGENT INFO 11MAY01 G/P4 006 AIRPORT AIRPORT INFORMATION 18FEB00 G/P5 007 BAGGAGE BAGGAGE 18FEB00 G/P6 008 BOOKING BOOKING 18FEB00 G/P7 009 CABINS CABINS/PRODUCT 03NOV00 G/P33 010 CANADA CANADIAN INFORMATION PAGES 05APR02 G/P45 011 CAR CAR RENTAL INFO 17MAR00 G/P8 012 COMMISSION AGENT COMMISSION INFORMATION 22NOV00 G/P9 013 CONCORDE CONCORDE INFORMATION 15JUL02 G/P10 014 CONTACT PHONE NUMBERS SALES-RESERVAT 16MAR00 G/P11


Line 6 references a British Airways GRS page giving detailed airport information. To display this information, enter G/P5.


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4. Access British Airways GRS page 5 and briefly review.

G/P5 <ENTER>

CATEGORY-AI1 SUBJECT-BA0 ... AIRPORT PAGE 005 001 AIRPORT INFORMATION 002 ********************************************************* 003 LHR FIRST CLASS LOUNGE 24FEB2003 G/L10 004 LHR CLUB WORLD LOUNGE 11MAR2003 G/L29 005 SPEEDLINK LHR-LGW 11MAR2003 G/L38 006 LONDON GATWICK 11MAR2003 G/L145 007 LGW FIRST CLASS LOUNGE 24FEB2003 G/L199 008 LGW CLUB WORLD LOUNGE 11MAR2003 G/L219 009 * 010 ********************************************************* 011 LHR FIRST CLASS LOUNGE UPDATED-24FEB2003 012 * 013 BRITISH AIRWAYS OFFERS FIRST AND CONCORDE PASSENGERS USE 014 OF THE LOUNGE WHICH IS LOCATED IN THE LOUNGE PAVILION)>


This page contains a breakdown of information for airport services provided by British Airways. To display information about the First Class Lounge at Gatwick, access line 199 of this page.


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5. Access line 199 and briefly review.

G/L199 <ENTER>

199 ********************************************************* 200 LGW FIRST CLASS LOUNGE UPDATED-24FEB2003 201 * 202 BRITISH AIRWAYS OFFERS FIRST CLASS PASSENGERS USE OF THE 203 LOUNGE LOCATED IN THE NORTH TERMINAL LOUNGE PAVILION NEAR 204 GATE 55. 205 * 206 THE LOUNGE IS OPEN FROM 0600HRS UNTIL DEPARTURE OF THE 207 LAST FLIGHT. 208 * 209 FACILITIES INCLUDE 210 LIGHT BUFFET 211 TELEPHONE PAY BY CREDIT CARD 212 PAY FAX AND PHOTOCOPIER MACHINE 213 TV)>


The information provided includes the location of the lounge, hours of operations and available facilities. To return to page one of the British Airways GRS pages, enter G/P1.


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6. Return to page one of British Airways GRS pages.

G/P1 <ENTER>

CATEGORY-AI1 SUBJECT-BA0 ... INDEX PAGE 001 001 *** BRITISH AIRWAYS-NYC INDEX *** 002 * 003 KEYWORD DESCRIPTION UPDATE ACCESS 004 ******* *********** ******* ****** 005 AD75 AD75/TRAVEL AGENT INFO 11MAY01 G/P4 006 AIRPORT AIRPORT INFORMATION 18FEB00 G/P5 007 BAGGAGE BAGGAGE 18FEB00 G/P6 008 BOOKING BOOKING 18FEB00 G/P7 009 CABINS CABINS/PRODUCT 03NOV00 G/P33 010 CANADA CANADIAN INFORMATION PAGES 05APR02 G/P45 011 CAR CAR RENTAL INFO 17MAR00 G/P8 012 COMMISSION AGENT COMMISSION INFORMATION 22NOV00 G/P9 013 CONCORDE CONCORDE INFORMATION 15JUL02 G/P10 014 CONTACT PHONE NUMBERS SALES-RESERVAT 16MAR00 G/P11


Now let’s look at GWTS. GWTS is an index of Worldspan Travel Suppliers including products, information, and educational services.


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1. Access GWTS index and briefly review page.

GWTS <ENTER>

------------------------------------------------------------ WORLDSPAN TRAVEL SUPPLIERS PRODUCTS - INFORMATIONAL - EDUCATIONAL SERVICES ------------------------------------------------------------ COMMUNICATIONS A T AND T EASY LINK >GWTS ESL( WORLDSPAN FASTMAIL FAX >INFO FASTMAILG( -------------------------------------------------------- CRUISEMATCH 2000 >INFO CMATC( ------------------------------------------------------- EDUCATIONAL SERVICES ARC >GWTS ARC( ARTA >GWTS ARTA( IATAN >GWTA IATAN( ICTA >GWTS ICTA(


The Worldspan Travel Suppliers (WTS) system provides a variety of travel-related products and information. WTS associates provide booking capabilities utilizing a WTS template and/or QEM messages. Several WTS associates use the GRS category of WTS to explain how to access their services through Worldspan. For example,

• GWTS ESL provides information on the AT&T Easy Link product

• INFO FASTMAILG accesses the General Overview, in Worldspan, for FASTMAIL

• INFO CMATC accesses the Cruisematch 2000 Index Page.


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2. Move down.

MD <ENTER>

--------------------------------------------------------- INSURANCE M.H.ROSS INSURANCE >GWTS TRIP( --------------------------------------------------------- LIMOUSINE SERVICE BLS LIMOUSINE SERVICE >GWTS BLS( BOSTON LIMOUSINE SERVICE >GWTS BOSTON LIMO( CAREY LIMOUSINE SERVICE >GWTS CAREY( SATURN RESERVATION SYSTEM - LIMO >GWTS SATURN ( ---------------------------------------------------- SOFTWARE/HARDWARE SOLUTIONS AUTOMATED TRAVEL SYSTEMS >GWTS ATS( FOREX SOFTWARE INC >GWTS FOREX( HI MARK TRAVEL SERVICES >G/WRK/INT/P13/L3()>


Information can be found on insurance, limousine services and software/hardware solutions.


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3. Move down 26.

MD26 <ENTER>

NYC SIGHTSEEING TOURS >GWTS TSATOURINFO( ON-LINE >GWTS ONLINE ( TOUR SOURCE OPERATORS >HELP TS OPERATORS( AIRLINE TOURS >HELP AIRLINE TOUR( -------------------------------------------------------- TRAINS/RAILROADS ACCESRAIL >GWTS ACCESRAIL( AMTRAK >INFO AMTRAK( BRITRAIL >GWTS BTI( ELGAR >GWTS ELGAR( EUROSTAR >INFO EUROSTAR( RAIL EUROPE - EURAIL PASS >GWTS REUROPE( --------------------------------------------------------- TRAVEL INFORMATION)>


GWTS ACCESRAIL provides information on booking Britrail, Swedish Rail and Norwegian Rail.


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4. Tab to GWTS ACCESSRAIL and enter.

GWTS ACCESRAIL <ENTER>

>---------------------------------------------------- WELCOME TO ACCESRAIL 9B THE EASY WAY TO BOOK BRITRAIL / SWEDISH RAIL / NORWEGAIN RAIL --------------------------------------------------- TOPIC ENTER ----- ------- BRITRAIL PRODUCTS ------------- >GWTS ACCESRAILBRI( SWEDISH RAIL PRODUCTS --------- >GWTS ACCESRAILSWE( NORWEGIAN RAIL PRODUCTS ------- >GWTS ACCESRAILNOR( NSB INFORMASJONSMENY ---------- >GWTS ACCESRAILNSB( RAIL PASSES ------------------- >GWTS ACCESRAILPAS( ACCESRAIL-YOUR RAIL PROVIDER -- >GWTS ACCESRAIL9B( CITY/RAIL STATION CODES ------- >GWTS ACCESRAILCOD()>


There are numerous topics available under a subject and tabs are provided for easy access. The Worldspan Travel Supplier maintains the subject and topic information. Topics on Accesrail’s page include product information on Britrail, Swedish Rail and Norwegian Rail as well as rail pass information (GWTS ACCESRAILPAS), a general overview of Accesrail (GWTS ACCESRAIL9B) and city/rail station codes for Britrail (GWTS ACCESRAILCOD).


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Our next topic is:

• Weather and Climate þ Instructors’ Notes

Worldspan provides weather and climate information for domestic and international cities.


1. Access INFO WEATHER and review.

INFO WEATHER <ENTER>

WEATHER INDEX INFO WEATHER CLIMATE >INFO GCLI( CURRENT WEATHER >INFO FWV( WEATHER FORECAST >INFO WEA( WEATHER CODES >INFO WEACODES( **ADDITIONAL REFERENCES** WEATHER INDEX >HELP WEATHER( 22JUL97/NW


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Climate INFO GCLI

Weatherdata Inc. provides climate information based on average monthly weather conditions. This information is not updated on a regular basis.

Current Weather INFO FWV

The National Weather Service provides current weather and visibility information hourly by airport location. Times shown are Greenwich Mean Time and local time.

Weather Forecast INFO WEA

Weatherdata, Inc. provides a weather forecast for U.S., international, and Canadian cities. The information is updated twice a day for the U.S. and once a day for locations outside the U.S., including Canada.

Weather Codes INFO WEACODES

These codes are used in the weather description on all pages.


2. Access the weather forecast for Phoenix and review.

GWEAPHX <ENTER>

PHOENIX AZ 20/APR/03 21/APR/03 22/APR/03 HI/LOW/PRECIP HI/LOW/WEATHER HI/LOW/WEATHER FAHRENHEIT 88/ 65/0.00 86/ 61/PTCLDY 76/ 53/PTCLDY CENTIGRADE 31/ 18/0.00 30/ 16 24/ 11 AS OF 1:30PM 21/APR/03 GMT


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U.S. cities display weather for yesterday, today and tomorrow. Some cities include airport information.


3. Access the weather forecast for Paris and review.

GWEAPAR <ENTER>

>PARIS FRANCE 20/APR/03 NORMAL HI/LOW/WEATHER HI/LOW FAHRENHEIT 59/ 41/PTCLDY / CENTIGRADE 15/ 5 / AS OF 7:30PM 20/APR/03 GMT


Entries are the same for international cities, however the displays are different. Some displays contain blanks when no information has been received for that reporting period.


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4. Access the current weather for Madrid and review.

FWVMAD <ENTER>

STATION MADRID SPAIN ES SKY CONDITION PARTLY CLOUDY TEMPERATURE 82F / 28C HEAT INDEX: 77F/ 25C DEWPOINT 26F /-03C RELATIVE HUMIDITY: 13 PCT PRESSURE 29.97 INCHES / 1015 MILLIBARS WIND WEST-SOUTHWEST 240 AT 9 KTS 10.4 MPH VAR WIND DIR: SSW 210 TO WNW 290 AVG WIND DIR: WEST-SOUTHWEST 255 VISIBILITY MORE THAN 6 MILES 10 KILOMETERS CEILING UNLIMITED WEATHER PHENOMENA *** NONE REPORTED *** RWY VISUAL RANGE *** NONE REPORTED *** CLOUD LAYER FEW AT 6000FT 1800M


Information provided in this display includes: • Station description • Sky condition • Temperature • Dew point • Barometric pressure • Visibility • Ceiling • Weather phenomena • Runway visual range(s) • Cloud layer(s) • Metar remarks • Z-time/local time/month - day/age of weather observation • Type of weather report/ICAO station code


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If current weather information has not been received from the national weather service-the response is: **NO WEATHER AVAILABLE**.


5. Access the climate for Honolulu and review.

GCLIHNL <ENTER>

HONOLULU HI (HNL) CLIMATE AVERAGE --------------------------------------------------------- AVG PRECIP NUMBER OF DAYS WITH MONTH TEMP HI TEMP LO RAIN SNOW NOTABLE TEMP F C F C IN CM IN CM PERCIP #85F -65F -------------------------------------------------------- JAN 80 27 66 19 4 10 0 0 10 1 15 FEB 80 27 66 19 3 8 0 0 9 1 13 MAR 81 27 67 19 3 8 0 0 9 3 9 APR 82 28 69 21 2 5 0 0 9 6 4 MAY 84 29 70 21 1 3 0 0 7 12 2 JUN 86 30 72 22 0 0 0 0 6 21 # JUL 87 31 73 23 1 3 0 0 7 26 0 AUG 88 31 74 23 1 3 0 0 6 28 0 SEP 88 31 73 23 1 3 0 0 7 27 0


Information in this display include averages for: • Monthly high and low temperatures • Monthly rainfall • Monthly snowfall • Days per month of notable precipitation • Number of days of notably warm temperatures • Number of days of notably cool temperatures


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Codes used in display are: • T trace of precipitation - less than .05 inches of rain or .5

inches of snow. • # – number of days if occurrence is less than .5 days. • – - Data is missing.

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The next topic is:

Timatic þ Instructors’ Notes

TIMATIC is an electronic system developed by the Travel Information Manual (TIM), a group of fourteen airlines represented by International Airline Publications and SITA. It provides real time access to a database in Amsterdam, allowing agents to obtain information regarding various local requirements, such as health, visa, and other relevant information or to scan the entire text of the TIM booklet. The database is updated daily and is hosted in SITA’s Atlanta data processing center. Every effort is made to keep all information as up-to-date as possible, however the contents of the database are subject to change.


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Information Available in Timatic

• Visa Requirements • City Encode/Decode • Health Restrictions • Visa and Health Information Combined • Group Lists • Cities Common Points • News • Full Text


1. Access the Timatic script, Z4TIMATC.CSL in the ScrptMnu section of Go! Res.


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2. Tab to Visa/Health Combined and enter.


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3. Make the following selections:

• Tab to Nationality and select US America (USA). • Tab to Destinations, arrow down and highlight AU Australia.

Pressing the Ctrl key, scroll down and highlight CN China, scroll down, and highlight GB England (UK).

• Tab to Country of Embarkation and select US America (USA).

• Tab to Countries visited and select CN Canada. • Tab to Transit Points and select IN India. • Click OK.


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4. Review results.


This provides you with the Combined Visa & Health Information based on the selections made.

The header indicates the date and time (in Universal Time) the information was requested. The options used are confirmed in the first section:

• Nationality • Point of Embarkation • Point of Transit • Destinations • And countries visited


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5. Select Menu and return to the Timatic menu.

6. Select Full Text.


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Full Text provides information on geography, airport taxes, customs, and currency for the country selected. Multiple countries cannot be selected.


7. Arrow down to highlight Aruba. Tab to Full Text Section, arrow down to highlight Airport Tax and enter. Review results.


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Timatic returns: • An explanation of the Passenger Facility Charge • The amount to be paid • Where it is paid • And who is exempt


8. Click Exit to exit the Timatic Script. ÿ PowerPoint - 8

The next topic is:

Travel Advisories and Warnings


Travel Advisories provide information about travel warnings and public announcements issued by the U.S. State Department. Consular information sheets are issued for every country of the world. Consular information sheets generally do not include advice, but present information in a factual manner so the traveler can make their own decisions concerning travel to a particular country.


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Travel warnings are issued when the state department recommends Americans avoid a certain country. In addition to this list, the state department issues consular information sheets for every country of the world with information on such matters as health conditions, crime, unusual currency, and entry requirements.

A complete description of warnings are available online.


1. Enter the URL: http://home.wspan.com


To locate the travel advisories and warnings click on the Resource Center from the Go! Home page.


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2. Click on Resource Center.


The Resource Center contains valuable information to assist you in completing your clients’ travel arrangements.

• Packages • Last Minute Package Deals • Events • Accommodations • Baggage Service • Travel Documents • Cruises • Ground Transportation • Tours • Tour Source


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3. Scroll down to Information Links in the center column.


Information Links contains numerous links to sites providing immigration requirements, tourism information, as well as travel advisories and warnings.


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4. Under Information Links, click U.S. State Department


Headlines provides links to: • Recently updated Public Announcements about major travel

warnings and advisories • Travel Safety Information Students which is updated every

February • Important fact sheets • Recently updated Travel Warnings


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5. Scroll down to:

For all Travel Warnings, Public Announcement and Consular Information Sheets select a letter below for the country about

which you'd like information.


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6. Select the letter N.

7. Select the Netherlands Antilles and review Consulate Information Sheet.


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A new window opens displaying the Consular Information Sheet requested. The date and time this information was last reviewed and/or updated appears at the top. Consular Information Sheets provide information on:

• Country Description • Entry Requirements • Dual Nationality • Safety and Security • Crime • Medical Facilities • Medical Insurance • Other Health Information • Traffic Safety and Road Conditions • Aviation Safety Oversight • Customs Regulations • Criminal Penalties • Consular Access • Special Circumstances • Disaster Preparedness • Children’s Issues • Registration – Embassy and Consulate Locations

Information sheets can be printed using your browser print button.


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Summary

International Travel Information in Worldspan:

• Airline GRS • GWTS – Suppliers & Products • Weather and Climate • Timatic • Travel Advisories & Warnings

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Questions

I Question/Answer

1. What entry displays an index of Worldspan Travel Suppliers and products?

Answer: GWTS


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2. What entry displays the current weather for Brussels?

a. GCLIBRU b. FWVBRU c. GWEABRU d. None of the above

3. What entry displays the Global Reference System participant list?

Answer: HELP GRS LIST

4. The Weather Forecast information is updated twice a day for the U.S. and once a day for locations outside the U.S. including Canada.

a. True b. False

5. What entry displays the climate for Munich?

a. GWEAMUC b. GCLIMUC c. FWVMUC d. None of the above

6. What entry displays the index page for travel warnings?

Answer: GDOCWARNING


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Related Topics

• Virtual Learning − Introduction to International Functionality

Ø International Fare Quote and Rules Ø Pricing and Pricing Options

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Thank You

• For participating in International Travel Information • For questions and comments, please send an email to:

[email protected]

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Evaluation