WorldRes.com and Andbook today announced a co-operation to provide an exclusive online hotel reservation service to Opodo, the European online travel portal.
Through this co-operation Opodo customers receive rich hotel content and an easy-to-use hotel booking engine. The fully branded Opodo service is a private label solution powered and hosted by WorldRes.com.

Opodo
is an online travel service created by nine of Europe`s leading airlines - Aer Lingus, Air France, Alitalia, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Finnair, Iberia, KLM and Lufthansa. Opodo aims to become a leading provider of online travel by 2004. www.opodo.co.uk
has been ranked the third most trafficked travel site in the UK according to March 2002 figures released by Nielsen NetRatings
and www.opodo.de
looks set to become the leading travel site in Germany. The French site launched in April and Opodo has plans to roll out additional sites across Europe throughout 2002 and beyond.

To launch the partnership, customers are being offered up to 50% off selected hotel prices as well as free upgrades and bed & breakfast deals with Hilton International, Le Meridien and Accor-Hotels. The promotion is currently featured on Opodo`s UK and German sites until 2nd June and 9th June respectively. A similar promotion commences on 27th May in France and ends on 9th June.
Jenny Taylor - Opodo`s UK Country Manager said, “As part of its commitment to its customers, Opodo is always looking for ways to make its service even better. We have negotiated this deal to bring an exceptional range of quality hotels and hotel services to Opodo customers. As a champion of consumer choice we believe that Internet travellers should have access to the widest range of products possible. At the same time we are keen to develop a low cost distribution channel for hotel suppliers in the same way we have done for the airlines.”

Andbook
brings to the partnership its network of 17 preferred partner hotel brands including its three founding partners Accor-Hotels, Hilton International and Le Meridien, and provides its preferred partners with translation and localization services, preferential exposure in hotel promotions, management of special offers and facilitation of content maintenance. Andbook also provides account management services to Opodo and on-going management of hotel promotions.

Michael Madison - CEO of Andbook said, “We are delighted to create with Opodo and WorldRes a new cost effective distribution channel which will benefit our preferred partners and the hotel industry in general. The site will also provide access to a better hotel offer for European consumers and we will be working with Opodo to find innovative ways to attract more customers to buy online.”

The WorldRes
system is the platform for providing and hosting the Opodo branded solution giving Opodo customers access to its unique selection of Independent properties and many important chains. Properties manage their content, rates and inventory in real time so that consumers benefit from the most up to date rates and last minute deals.
Together Andbook and WorldRes provide access to over 31,500 branded and independent properties worldwide.
WorldRes.com Europe`s COO - Richard Lewis commented, “Opodo truly adds value to the WorldRes.com distribution network and their sites enhance the reputation of WorldRes.com as a leader in online hotel distribution. Opodo will provide excellent revenue opportunities for our member properties throughout Europe and the rest of the world.”

Andbook and WorldRes intend this to be the first of many such distribution partnerships.

Related stories on ITN:

(17/04/2002) Opodo launches in France

(14/03/2002) Opodo launches European sites

(21/02/2002) Opodo and Co-op Brighten Up Internet Browsing

(28/01/2002) Opodo Makes its UK Debut

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