Travelport reports a new long-term full content and technology services agreement with IHG (“InterContinental Hotels Group”), benefiting subscribers with worldwide instant access to complete rates from IHG’s more than 4,500 properties worldwide. Travelport’s Galileo, Apollo and Worldspan GDS subscribers will benefit.
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 Solution.
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 Galileo, Apollo and Worldspan 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 cancelation 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 traveler satisfaction, Travelport says. 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 Solution. 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.
“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.”
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