Expedia is launching the Expedia Rate and Inventory Channel Management Certification Program, making it easier for hoteliers to manage their rates and inventory.The new program is the
latest example of Expedia’s technology leadership and continued commitment
to streamlining hoteliers’ access to its sites.

  “Expedia approaches connectivity solutions for small and large hotels,
chains and independent properties in a scalable manner,” said Dean Gregory,
senior director of hotel systems connectivity at Expedia, who is speaking
on the connectivity technology panel session at the EyeforTravel
Distribution Technology conference this week in London. “The Certification
Program makes it easy for independent properties and small-to-medium sized
hotel chains to achieve maximum efficiency in managing their rates and
inventory with Expedia, which, for many hotels, serves as the single
largest channel for bookings.”

  By awarding certification, Expedia is able to assure its partners that
the channel management and rate allocation tools they use are compatible
with Expedia’s mix of inventory and pricing models.

  “Establishing a direct relationship between Expedia and our RateTiger
suite of online distribution management tools has created a compelling
solution for our clients,” said Reuel Ghosh, CEO, eRevMax, the leading
hotel revenue management company that created RateTiger. “Expedia continues
to impress the travel community with innovative technologies that
demonstrate why it is the leading online travel agent in the world.”

  The Channel Manager Certification Program is the latest in a series of
enhancements Expedia has made to its portfolio of hotel connectivity
solutions. Last June, the company launched Expedia QuickConnect(TM), which
addresses the needs of independent and small-to-medium sized hotel chains
by enabling the exchange of rates, availability and booking information
through a direct connection with Expedia. With the launch of Expedia
QuickConnect, Expedia became the first online travel agency to offer an
open API for hotels.

  In just the first six months since launching Expedia QuickConnect,
hotels in 23 countries and operating on 28 different reservations systems,
have established a direct connection to Expedia using Expedia QuickConnect.
More than 80 percent of these hotels are located throughout Europe,
including Spain’s Barcelo Hotels & Resorts, which has seen a more than 40
percent increase in its gross room night bookings since implementing
Expedia QuickConnect(TM) for 25 of its properties.

  A number of North American hoteliers have also achieved positive
results since establishing a direct connection via Expedia
QuickConnect. California-based Good Nite Inns with 12 hotels, deployed
Expedia QuickConnect(TM) through Mirage PMS and has since seen a 7.5
percent increase in room night production.
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