Netbook,
Scandinavia`s leading corporate online booking service, added Utell
Ltd., the world`s largest hotel representation company(1), to its
exclusive roster of preferred hotel suppliers. 
Under terms of an
agreement recently signed by the two companies, Utell
hotels receive
preferred screen presence on the Netbook system. 
“As a result of this preferred supplier agreement, we anticipate that
our member hotels will significantly increase their visibility among
Scandinavian corporate travelers,” said Graham Richards, vice
president of global sales for Utell.  “In particular, Utell hotels can
now submit corporate-negotiated rate bids to Netbook`s roster of
corporate clients.  As use of corporate online booking proliferates in
Europe, we believe Netbook is well positioned to acquire more users
every month, bringing ongoing value to our members.”

Netbook has more than 300 clients, including major corporations such
as Ericsson, Ford Europe, Saab and Nordea.  A number of Netbook
clients, most prominently Volvo, mandate use of the Netbook tool for
all corporate travel.  Several leading regional travel agencies,
including ITP, MZ Travel, Bennett BTI Nordic, and Nyman &
Schultz/American Express, also employ the Netbook booking system for
their corporate clients.  More than $56 million in hotel revenue was
booked via Netbook in 2001.

“The addition of Utell`s diverse portfolio of properties to our
corporate reservation service considerably enhances the options we
provide to our client base,” said Anders Forsberg, managing director
for Netbook.  “Utell`s member hotels in key European business centers
such as Brussels, London, Madrid, Paris and Rome appreciably upgrade
our hotel offerings on the continent.  The presence of Utell
properties in Netbook bolsters our sales efforts to corporations,
assuring travel managers that their travelers can find all the
accommodations they need online.”

Hotels under the Utell flag get preferred screen presence when
travelers search for hotels on Netbook.  The Netbook application is
equipped with functionality that matches corporate travel policy with
room rates, displaying only rates that conform to a company`s travel
requirements. 

Utell`s preferred supplier program works to increase Utell member
properties` exposure at the point-of-sale in specific high-volume
agencies and online travel providers such as Netbook.  Utell is a
preferred hotel supplier for more than 25 travel agencies, including
global leaders Carlson Wagonlit and TQ3, and large regional agencies
such as P&O Travel in England, Ultramar Express in Sweden, and the
Japan Travel Bureau.  With more than 930,000 available rooms,
including more luxury, resort and boutique properties than any other
single representation firm, Utell gives these agencies and their
clients a wide range of choices for travelers seeking the ideal hotel
room.

Related stories on ITN:

(11/09/2002) Utell Increases Presence in Asia-Pacific Region

(16/07/2002) Utell Implements Lanyon Tools

(13/02/2002) Utell Properties to be Distributed Through New HDS.

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