London-based Grange Hotels First to Leverage High-Value Services

CHICAGO/BERLIN (ITB, March 10, 2010) — TRAVELCLICK®, the market leader in hotel e-commerce solutions, today announced that it is launching Global Hotel Services (GHS), comprehensive sales and marketing support services covering corporate, consortia, and Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) markets across the globe.  Exclusively available to customers of iHotelier®, TRAVELCLICK’s Internet-based, state-of-the-art central reservations system (CRS), the offering will enable these hoteliers to drive incremental revenue simply and cost effectively through the targeted support and expertise offered through Global Hotel Services.  Grange Hotels, London’s leading independent hotel chain, is now leveraging the GHS program to maximize business and meetings revenue for its 15 high-occupancy four- and five-star properties located in the United Kingdom.

The support offered to TRAVELCLICK’s participating iHotelier customers will be tailored according to the individual hotel’s needs and will include on-the-ground expertise and face-to-face customer contact with travel agencies and travel procurement professionals.  GHS will also deliver a brand presence at trade shows, ensuring targeted exposure at key industry events, and will host a number of road shows on behalf of clients throughout the year across Europe, the Americas, and Asia..
   
“This new offering will greatly benefit our iHotelier customers looking to gain traction in untapped markets where having a dedicated sales person was previously considered too expensive,” said Jan Tissera, President of TRAVELCLICK International.  “With global coverage in key commercial areas and a clear commitment to delivering effective, custom-tailored solutions for its customers, GHS professionals have a proven track record in driving incremental business for hotels by increasing awareness and building long-term relationships, which clearly benefits our customers across the globe.”

Leveraging the expertise and contacts of former hoteliers specializing in selling and marketing commercial hotels to the global market, GHS is based in mainland Europe, the UK, and the US and will offer an extended sales force access across these major commercial markets. Customers also have access to TRAVELCLICK’s Global Call Centre services, providing multilingual and cross-cultural support for voice reservations throughout Europe, Asia, and the Americas.  Call Centre agents book reservations directly in the iHotelier CRS, enabling hotels to leverage the superior reporting functionality that comes standard with the iHotelier platform.

“At the end of the day, extending your sales influence into new markets without adding more staff proves to be a good business decision for hoteliers—one that delivers high returns, especially in a volatile economy,” added Barry Wishart, managing director, Global Hotel Services.  “Our strong relationships with over 6,000 global and regional travel agencies, corporate and MICE accounts mean that we can put participating TRAVELCLICK customers directly in front of key decision-makers.  With a team that delivers over $100 million in corporate and MICE business, we believe that our services will add real value to iHotelier customers, enabling them to build greater global awareness of their portfolio and increase revenues.”