The new service, known as Amadeus LinkHotel, is based around Otedis, the representation company acquired by Amadeus in 2005.
As well as offering advanced global and internet distribution systems (GDS and IDS) through an open standards platform, Amadeus LinkHotel features reservation tools, marketing services and commission handling.
It also provides consultancy services, with hotels offered a complimentary distribution optimisation analysis to ensure that they will benefit from GDS and IDS reach.
For agents, travel management companies and online travel retailers, Amadeus LinkHotel provides access to a range of new properties, including independent and small chain hotels in primary and secondary business and leisure destinations.
Hugo Ehrnreich, head of hotel distribution at Amadeus, said: ‘Amadeus LinkHotel enables any hotel whatever the size to have access to a worldwide audience of travellers and professional travel bookers, through a highly cost-effective single solution.
‘Agents and bookers are getting very specific hotel requests from their corporate clients, such as requests for hotels near remote manufacturing locations or retail parks in emerging economies.
‘The more detailed the request, the more you need the kind of rich, in-depth content LinkHotel offers.
‘In addition hotels count on global distribution exposure to maximise sales around specific market opportunities like major entertainment or sporting events.’
The launch customer for the tool is City Lodge Hotels, a four-brand chain with 5,109 rooms and 45 locations in South Africa.
Peter Schoeman, City Lodge Hotels’ divisional director, sales and marketing, said: ‘With Amadeus LinkHotel, our international profile is raised, and we can tap into Amadeus’s extensive distribution experience and wide reach to help fulfil our commercial objectives.
‘There is expert guidance on hand and we have a one-stop shop for all distribution, reservation, sales and marketing requirements.
‘It is particularly timely because of the big boost in demand for rooms that the 2010 FIFA World Cup will bring.’
Background from e-tid.com:
Amadeus invests £4m in Paris-based IT supplier (04/07/2003)
And see also:
Travelport adds hotel payment and reporting solution (09/03/2010)
Pegasus reports leisure boost for hotels (03/03/2010)
Concur deal to expand Amadeus market reach (02/02/2010)
Expedia expands European hotel offering (20/11/2009)
RateTiger launches GDS solution (11/11/2009)