20 years of Sabre Poland

1. September 2000: the beginning of our journey

In September 2000, Sabre Holdings bought an Irish company named Gradient. Those were very different times, from both a chronological and technological point of view. Can you imagine that at the very beginning we had to climb a wooden ladder to enter into the office and we had to assemble our computers all by ourselves?

2. Our job is much more comfortable today than 20 years ago

Our job is now easier, more comfortable, and more efficient than 20 years ago. At that time, we could work only from the office and in front of stationary computers, while today we can easily do our job on our laptop and from home.

3. The speed of career advancements in our industry has dramatically increased

When we started our business, patience was already a very important factor in our industry. According to Kodilla.com, programmers who started their careers in the decade 2000-2009 needed an average of 5.94 years to become senior developers. At that time, before those positions were separated into individual professions, this was usually the role of a programmer analyst.

4. Now we travel way more often than before

The last 20 years have seen not only changes in the technologies we co-created, but also a significant increase of the frequency of travels. In 2000, the average traveler used to take a plane every 43 months; three years ago, this frequency was already twice as high.

5.The development of the IT market in Krakow took a long time

In the last 20 years there have been changes not only in our company, but also across the whole IT market in Krakow: for sure it was much smaller then and did not offer the programmers the wide variety of options they can now choose from today.

6. Sabre Polska - A place of opportunity

Sabre Polska is not just a provider of technological solutions for airlines and the travel industry, it is a place where everyone can spread their wings and broaden their experience. Over time, our company has played an increasingly strategic role among other global organizations.

7. Our relocation to the Buma office

During its 20-year history Sabre Polska have had 4 offices – the first 3 localized in Czystersi Street, Krakow, in Zabierzów, and in the Buma building in Krakow’s Wadowicka Street – before moving to the Tischnera Office in February 2020. We took an important step forward when we moved to the Buma office, as it allowed us to significantly increase the number of employees in just few years.

8. We work with the giants of the industry

Due to the nature of our company, we have been cooperating with many key enterprises within the travel industry, including airlines, hotel chains, and travel agencies.

9. We are the ones who create the IT world

For 20 years we have not only been living in a world inextricably tied to new technologies, but we have also been creating it. In the last years we have organized dozens of meetups with the participation of several industry experts and hundreds of attendees.

10. Our collaboration with the universities

Krakow is famous for the high level of its technical universities, that is why in recent years we have strongly invested in a fruitful cooperation with them – through the participation in academic events and student job fairs as well as via our internship program, which attracts more and more talents year after year.

11. We shape new leaders

We have supported the “Tech Leaders” program since its first edition. Its mission is to create a free space for technology leaders to share their knowledge and develop professional opportunities through the support of experienced mentors. It is a four-month series of mentoring programs organized in Poland and around the world.

12. We love helping others!

Our employees have shown more than once their solidarity to less fortunate people who need help. It is only thanks to their kind spirit that events like Give Time Together and Give Together, two key Sabre Polska’s initiatives specifically dedicated to charity, take place every year.

13. We have reached the age of majority

It happened in 2018 and we celebrated properly, as every 18-year-old should do. Among the attractions prepared as part of the event, we created unique gadgets bearing the brand’s logo – both practical in everyday life and with a nice touch to make people smile. Such a celebration would not be complete without a birthday cake, would it?

14. Our new Managing Director

One of our company’s recipes for success has always consisted of hiring the right people. Bearing that in mind, in April 2019 we appointed Sebastian Drzewiecki as Vice President and Managing Director.

15. Talk’N’Roll

Talk’N’Roll is one of the recurrent events to not miss in Krakow: created 5 years ago by a group of Sabre Polska technology enthusiasts, it aims at broadening horizons, discussing ideas worth spreading and engaging in stimulating conversations that can spark further development.

16. Will women be dominating our industry in 20 years?

New technologies do not interest only men: many women are passionate about IT, too. A perfect example of that is our company, where over 20 percent of the employees are women. What do they think about their participation in the software industry?

17. Sabre and its role in Krakow’s business community

Our activity in Krakow is not limited to providing technology solutions for the travel industry. We are also eager to cooperate with members of other companies, as we believe that by joining forces, we can help transform both the travel industry and Krakow’s business community.

18. We strengthened our partnership with LOT Polish Airlines

Every day our company cooperates with many big players in the travel industry. One of our most important partners is LOT Polish Airlines. Our collaboration with the Polish carrier focuses, among other things, on the development of advanced technological solutions that can benefit both companies.

19. Our historic relocation

We reached another important milestone of our history in February 2020 when we relocated to the brand new Tischnera Office.

20. What will happen in the next 20 years?

Behind us there are 20 years of dynamic changes – in Sabre, in the technology sector, and in the travel industry. We have no doubts that the next 20 year will bring even more changes. But what are those changes? Let’s see what our employees think about it.