Travelocity teams with Intercontinental Hotel group to strengthen merchant hotel connectivity platform

Mar 11, 08 | 1:56 am

Travelocity and InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) have implemented state-of-the-art next generation connectivity between their systems, giving Travelocity's customers immediate and accurate access to IHG's complete range of inventory and pricing while allowing reservations to be booked directly into IHG's Holidex Plus reservation system.

A large majority of IHG's 3,800 hotel properties worldwide will utilize Travelocity's industry-leading program, allowing Travelocity customers to have access to the full range of rooms and rates offered by IHG.

"We are proud to continue blazing the trail of the next generation of seamless connectivity between online travel agencies and hotels with IHG," said Noreen Henry, vice president of hotels for Travelocity. "We have taken our connectivity to the next level by allowing booking directly into the CRS system, and we are excited to offer our customers this advancement in planning their travel experiences."

Direct connectivity offers the most accurate information on reservations to every party involved. Consumers view the most current full complement of rates and room availability, while hotels receive immediate confirmation of a reservation as it is automatically filed directly into the chain's central reservation system.

"It's important that our customers receive the most accurate, up-to-date booking information available whenever and wherever they shop our properties," said Andrew Rubinacci, IHG's vice president of Distribution Marketing for Europe, Middle East and Africa.. "We know a favorable booking experience is the first step in a successful hotel stay, and Travelocity has a great team to help us accomplish this task easily and efficiently."

About Travelocity

Travelocity® is committed to being the traveler's champion -- before, during and after the trip - and provides the most comprehensive and pro-active guarantee in the industry - see www.travelocity.com/guarantee for details. This customer-driven focus, backed by 24/7 live phone support, great prices and powerful shopping technology has made Travelocity the sixth largest travel agency -- booking $10.1 billion in travel worldwide in 2006. Based in Southlake , Texas , Travelocity also owns and operates Travelocity Business® for corporate travelers, lastminute.com, a leader in European online travel and ZUJI, a leader in Asia-Pacific online travel. Travelocity is owned by Sabre Holdings Corporation, a world leader in travel commerce.

About InterContinental Hotels Group

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (IHG) of the United Kingdom [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is one of the world's largest hotel groups by number of rooms. IHG owns, manages, leases or franchises, through various subsidiaries, over 3,800 hotels and more than 571,000 guest rooms in nearly 100 countries and territories around the world. IHG owns a portfolio of well recognised and respected hotel brands including InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn® Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express®, Staybridge Suites®, Candlewood Suites® and Hotel Indigo®, and also manages the world's largest hotel loyalty programme, Priority Club® Rewards with over 37 million members worldwide.

The company pioneered the travel industry's first collaborative response to environmental issues as founder of the International Hotels and Environment Initiative (IHEI). The IHEI formed the foundations of the Tourism Partnership launched by the International Business Leaders Forum in 2004, of which IHG is still a member today. The environment and local communities remain at the heart of IHG's global corporate responsibility focus.

IHG offers information and online reservations for all its hotel brands at www.ihg.com and information for the Priority Club Rewards programme at www.priorityclub.com . For the latest news from IHG, visit our online Press Office at www.ihg.com/media

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (IHG) of the United Kingdom [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms. IHG owns, manages, leases or franchises, through various subsidiaries, over 3,700 hotels and more than 558,000 guest rooms in nearly 100 countries and territories around the world. IHG owns a portfolio of well recognized and respected hotel brands including InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn® Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express®, Staybridge Suites®, Candlewood Suites® and Hotel Indigo®, and also manages the world's largest hotel loyalty program, Priority Club® Rewards with over 33 million members worldwide.

The company pioneered the travel industry's first collaborative response to environmental issues as founder of the International Hotels and Environment Initiative (IHEI). The IHEI formed the foundations of the Tourism Partnership launched by the International Business Leaders Forum in 2004, of which IHG is still a member today. The environment and local communities remain at the heart of IHG's global corporate responsibility focus.