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CCRA Travel Solutions and Ensemble Travel Group report details of a new partnership designed to expand CCRA's presence in the North American agency market while increasing the earning power and efficiency of Ensemble's 850 members in the U.S. and Canada.
Initial elements of the relationship include a private-label version of CCRA’s proprietary hotel booking engine and the linking of Ensemble member agencies to the CCRA rate code in all major GDS. Details of additional initiatives will be released as they are finalized, the two firms said.
“Ensemble’s extensive presence in both the US and Canada was a key factor for us,” said Dic Marxen, president and CEO of CCRA Travel Solutions. “Our new relationship is a true partnership where corporate value propositions complement each other and development goals align. Through the CCRA rate code and our branded reservation booking engine, Ensemble members have access to exceptional hotel rates and inventory around the world. We look forward to a strong and profitable relationship.”
Under the partnership, the new Ensemble-customized hotel booking portal will provide all Ensemble Travel Group members access to over 180,000 hotels worldwide, with bias for the more than 500 properties in the popular Ensemble Hotel & Resort Collection.
Members can select from up to five rate categories – CCRA Preferred, 15 percent Enhanced Commission, GDS, Internet, and Net rates – on a single search depending on the client’s needs.
In addition, CCRA’s Preferred Hotel Program becomes Ensemble’s preferred GDS rate code for all transactions outside of Ensemble Travel Group’s own luxury hotel collection. All GDS-based Ensemble member agencies will be immediately linked to the CCRA rate code giving them access to 26,300 hotels that offer negotiated rates through the CCRA program.
“The new partnership is in sync with our overall technology strategy created to better support our members, regardless of their technology platform,” said Ensemble’s Libbie Rice, co-president. “In addition, the global scope of this relationship, whereby we can share best practices with CCRA’s network of agencies worldwide, strengthens our position as a powerful international player.”
A series of training sessions are currently being finalized for Ensemble Travel Group’s members in the U.S. and Canada. In addition, CCRA executives will participate at the 2012 International Ensemble Travel Group Conference at Red Rock Resort Las Vegas set for October 17-21.
Visit www.www.ccra.com or www.joinensemble.com