Orbitz for Business has launched a “Board Room Rates” program to provide users with online identification of hotels that offer resources typically preferred by business travelers at discounted rates.
Leveraging its relationship with THOR, another TDS travel services company, top international hotel brands, such as Starwood, Kimpton, Hilton, and Best Western, representing more than 3,000 properties, currently participate in the Board Room Rates program. 

Each participating property has been pre-screened by Orbitz for Business to ensure it offers: 1) in-room Internet access, 2) an on-site restaurant and 3) and either a fitness center or a business center. These properties are also offered at a low, pre-negotiated, consortium rate. Through the display of online search results, hotels with qualifying amenities and pricing are tagged to quickly inform users of the services and savings available.

“Starwood Hotels puts a premium on service, and we also know business travelers make up a large percentage of our guests,” said Linda Kent, Starwood vice president, electronic distribution. “We’re very pleased to work with Orbitz for Business on Board Room Rates because as more companies use online corporate travel agencies to manage their travel, we want to ensure their travelers know they’ll get the amenities they need for a productive business trip at Starwood.”

“The Orbitz for Business partnership reinforces Best Western’s commitment to today’s hard charging business traveler,” said Dorothy Dowling, Best Western senior vice president of Marketing and Sales.  “These highly discerning customers make their hotel decisions based on the amenities and services that will ensure their productivity and success.  Free high speed internet tops the list and is offered at all 2,400 Best Western hotels throughout North America.”

“No business traveler wants to be stuck at a hotel without Internet access or a place to eat. However, many hotels are simply not set up to accommodate business people,” said Dean Sivley, chief product and marketing officer for Orbitz for Business/Travelport. “‘Board Room Rates’ addresses this problem by enabling users to easily recognize the properties that offer key amenities while they are booking a trip online.  That means saving time while booking online and ensuring peace-of-mind, comfort and productivity on the road.”

“Board Room Rates” follows other recently introduced benefits such as traveler security services and discounts from air carriers and are examples of the “value added” services launched by Orbitz for Business to benefit the corporate and small business traveler. 

“Orbitz for Business treats all of its users like VIP’s,” said Sivley. “From our industry-leading Customer Care Alerts, to easy identification and booking of hotels with business amenities, Orbitz for Business travelers will be safe, comfortable and productive while traveling on business.”
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