ATLANTA - Travelport, the business services provider to the
global travel industry, today announces a new long-term
full content and technology services agreement with IHG
("InterContinental Hotels Group"), [LON: IHG, NYSE:IHG
(ADRs)], the world's largest hotel group by number of
rooms. The agreement guarantees Travelport-connected
subscribers throughout the world instant access to complete
rates from IHG's more than 4,500 properties worldwide. IHG
will also participate in advanced merchandising, pricing
and connectivity solutions from Travelport, including
Travelport's enhanced Best Available Rate (BAR) Program,
Travelport Complete Pricing Plus and Travelport XML Pro
Technology SolutionTM. Access to IHG rates is made
available through the Travelport Best Available Rates (BAR)
Program, a distribution partnership that expands sales
opportunities and guarantees instant access to the best
available published, non-restricted rates from IHG by
Travelport-connected travel buyers worldwide, including
travel agencies, corporate customers and online travel
retailers. Travelport's GalileoTM, ApolloTM and WorldspanTM
global distribution systems (GDS) gain the ability to quote
the lowest unrestricted rates from IHG available to the
public, including pre-paid rates and rates with
cancellation policies. IHG is implementing Enhanced Data
Response with Travelport's Complete Pricing Plus
technology, exclusive to the Galileo and Apollo systems, to
enhance the travel agent shopping process and traveller
satisfaction. The technology will enable IHG to return
detailed information in response to requests for
availability, rates and rules, including nightly rates,
meals, cancel and refund policies, rate categories,
commissions, credential requirements and total cost for
entire stays, to the travel agent via the GDS. All
Travelport subscribers will gain improved shopping
experiences and system response times when IHG upgrades its
GDS interface through the Travelport XML Pro Technology
SolutionTM. The highly developed interface will allow IHG
to transact with Galileo, Apollo and Worldspan subscribers
via the most cost-efficient electronic path for real-time
rates, availability, rules and property information. XML
Pro Technology Solution is an affordable means for travel
companies to exchange structured data, and reduce operating
costs and system maintenance. It eliminates the need for
suppliers and retailers to use third-party solutions for
GDS interface, and employs the latest OpenTravel Alliance
(OTA) universal transmission specifications for travel.
"IHG seeks long-term partnerships that fortify our business
by expanding our reach and sales," said Andrew Rubinacci,
vice president, Distribution & Intermediary Sales, IHG.
"We established an XML Pro interface to Worldspan in 2008
and experienced greater transaction efficiency, speed and
accuracy. Travelport is a leader in XML solutions, and
we're eager to use their next-gen XML Pro Technology
Solution across all three of their GDSs, and to increase
the relevance of data we provide agents during the shopping
process." "Travelport is raising the value hotels and
travel agencies gain via the GDS channel with constant
advancements in our industry-first or exclusive
technologies. By strengthening relationships between hotels
and agencies, we help them improve profitability and their
ability to satisfy today's demanding travelers," said
Niklas Andreen, group vice president, Hospitality &
Partner Marketing, Travelport. "There's a tremendous amount
of evolution happening for hotels and all suppliers through
the GDS, and we're pleased to assist IHG in its quest for
growth through technology."