lastminute.com
has announced the signing of a landmark deal with
Hilton International that gives lastminute.com full access to
Hilton’s inventory and provides Hilton with distribution to
lastminute.com’s growing online customer base.Brent Hoberman, CEO of lastminute.com, said; “Our business relies on
customer satisfaction and we are delighted to be in a position to
offer our customers access to one of the World’s leading hotel
brands.  We are pleased Hilton recognises the value lastminute.com
can add as a European intermediary with its powerful brand and strong
geographic presence.  As the largest online market place for last
minute demand we expect to sell over 6 million room nights through
lastminute.com and its subsidiary businesses this year.

“Because we offer customers the ability to tailor their own packages
of flights, hotels and entertainment lastminute.com provides a
natural extension to a pure hotel product and we are excited that
this deal will continue to ensure we are able to offer the best
available products to all our customers.”

The move comes as many hotel companies re-examine current practice
and contracts with third party distributors.

Throughout the remainder of 2004 and 2005, Hilton will continue to
negotiate with other distributors - online and offline - and by the
end of 2005, only those suppliers who have agreed terms with Hilton
will be officially authorised to sell Hilton rooms.

David Michels, CEO of Hilton Group plc has stated that the company
will cut ties with distributors who persist in operating misleading
pricing practices and demand inequitable conditions.
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