Bass Hotels and Resorts forms strategic alliance with UK based lastminute.com
Bass Hotels & Resorts® has announced a new strategic alliance with UK-based Internet company lastminute.com (www.lastminute.com). Bass Hotels & Resorts is one of seven new international companies investing approximately $31 million in the innovative consumer e-commerce company. In addition to providing funding, Bass Hotels & Resorts will support lastminute.com in the development of its rapidly growing business, both in the UK and internationally.
“As the world’s most global hotel company we are aggressively building our leadership in new channels of distribution in the digital world by leveraging our worldwide scope and scale, and establishing strategic alliances with key e-commerce players,” said Ravi Saligram, chief marketing officer and managing director of global strategy for Bass Hotels & Resorts. “Our strategic relationship with lastminute.com offers us an excellent opportunity to create a synergistic approach to market our hotels to a growing niche of travellers whose lifestyles are geared towards spontaneous ‘impulse’ buying.” Saligram continued.
“This latest round of funding is to be used to support the company’s rapid development in the UK and internationally with a particular focus on further enhancing the range of content, promoting lastminute.com through new marketing campaigns and providing the necessary technical and operational infrastructure,” said Brent Hoberman and Martha Lane Fox, founders of lastminute.com.
Bass Hotels & Resorts has long been a leader in technology and in e-commerce - the company was the first major hotel chain to offer on-line booking capabilities in June 1995. The agreement provides lastminute.com’s 600,000 plus registered users in Europe with last-minute room bookings at participating properties from the company’s 2,800- strong hotel portfolio around the world. Impulse travellers will have quick access to up- to-the-minute hotel information for easy online booking. Bass Hotels & Resorts’ family of lodging brands includes Inter-Continental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Express by Holiday Inn, and Staybridge Suites hotels.
“We are delighted to have Bass Hotels & Resorts as a premier company on lastminute.com,” added Brent Hoberman and Martha Lane Fox. “Our users are sure to benefit from Bass’ extensive global reach and varied hotel portfolio.” About Bass Hotels & Resorts
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With over 2,800 hotels and resorts and more than 450,000 guest rooms in more than 90 countries and territories, Bass Hotels & Resorts has an established, international brand-name property to suit every guest’s service, amenity and lodging needs. Bass Hotels & Resorts is the hotel business of UK-based Bass PLC. About lastminute.com
lastminute.com offers exclusive last minute deals at competitive prices on premium travel, gifts and entertainment. lastminute.com harnesses the power of the internet to offer people the choice of luxury, spontaneity and great services at affordable prices.
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