WorldRes
today announced the continued growth of its seamless net rate program with the addition of Best Western International, Inc.,
The majority of online hotel reservations are currently made through merchant wholesalers, who obtain inventory allocations and rate commitments from individual properties, and use fax for reservation delivery. To improve property yields, automate reservation processing and promote competition in the distribution marketplace, most major hotel companies are moving away from this model and negotiating with Web retailers to access central reservation systems instead of obtaining allocations directly from individual properties.

WorldRes developed the NET Rate Program to help hotel companies implement this change, and distribute net rates seamlessly on retail Web sites worldwide. The NET Rate Program allows for seamless access and delivery of net rates in a yieldable manner.

Participating hotels can now easily set room-night limits and net rates based on seasonal or daily demands. When business conditions change, hotels adjust rates accordingly - in real-time. Hotels are not locked into long-term contracts and pricing, and they can yield rates dynamically on their own Property Management System through a link that immediately updates the entire WorldRes distribution network.

 
“Hotel companies are not necessarily looking to discontinue net rate programs - instead, they would like to manage these programs through the company’s central reservation system. Ideally, hotel companies want to offer Web retailers both retail/commissionable and net rates. This allows the hotel company to implement appropriate yield management practices, as well as automate access of inventory and processing of reservations,” said Ric Leutwyler, vice president of ecommerce and field marketing, Best Western International. “At Best Western International, we are committed to helping our hotels offer the highest quality, best service and value in the industry. The WorldRes NET Rate Program offers the most competitive prices to worldwide travelers. We can now sell net, retail or negotiated rates - easily managed under our control.”

“As hotel chains increasingly look for ways to gain back control from third-party distributors, they need a new, adaptable net rate program that not only works in today’s environment, but also in the future,” said Don Smith, vice president of supply relationship, WorldRes. “The WorldRes NET Rate Program offers hotel companies, such as Best Western, the opportunity to provide net rates while maintaining full control.”

“WorldRes has demonstrated its ability to establish a fully automated, low-cost, high-quality multi-brand distribution network that is attractive to hotel suppliers and Internet retailers. These qualities are enabling WorldRes to become the new standard of technology for linking travel Web sites to hotels around the world,” said Wolfgang Kitza, CEO and chairman, WorldRes.

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