Pegasus Solutions` Utell, representing the world`s largest collection of independent hotels(1), announced an agreement to provide marketing and representation services for Jumeirah International`s Mina A` Salam hotel in Dubai. Jumeirah International operates some of the world`s most luxurious hotel and leisure facilities in Dubai and London. Pegasus Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq:PEGS) is a leading worldwide provider of hotel reservations-related services and technology.
The 292-room Mina A` Salam, which opened on Sept. 1, is a grand boutique hotel. The property is a tribute to the seafaring tradition of Dubai and a magnificent embodiment of United Arab Emirates architectural styles. Each guest room is a minimum of 50 square meters, with a balcony featuring an unobstructed view of the Arabian Gulf. A large pool and tranquil harbor border a wide beach and a walkway connecting the Mina A` Salam to the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Burj Al Arab Hotel and the Wild Wadi Water Park, which is free for Mina A` Salam guests.
Mina A` Salam is the first of two luxury grand boutique hotels to open in Jumeirah International`s 100-acre Madinat development, which will also include 28 courtyard villas. Phase one of the Madinat Jumeirah development culminated with the opening of Mina A` Salam; phase two is scheduled for completion in Autumn 2004.
Pegasus` Utell provides a wide range of services to Mina A` Salam. Through Pegasus` electronic distribution system, rooms at the Mina A` Salam can be booked via the four major GDSs (Amadeus, Galileo, Sabre and Worldspan)—the leading sources for travel agent bookings. Utell also leverages its status as a preferred hotel supplier to more than 100 leading global travel agencies to increase the visibility of the Mina A` Salam to agency staff. Travel agents can reserve rooms at the Mina A` Salam in their respective GDS by using the UI code.
In addition, Pegasus` electronic connections include the majority of the world`s leading online travel sites, enhancing Mina A` Salam`s Internet presence as more travelers make their hotel reservations online.
Utell hotel members have international representation in 41 countries through a global network of Pegasus reservation offices and call centers, any of which can now take telephone reservations on behalf of Mina A` Salam. In addition, Pegasus` sales force will promote Mina A` Salam and the three other Jumeirah International properties it represents to corporate and leisure travel agencies at trade shows and events.
“Utell`s proven ability to increase the exposure of hotel properties to a global audience was instrumental in our decision to utilize their services,” said John Pelling, general manager of Mina A`Salam. “The company`s proactive relationships with travel agents, combined with outstanding GDS and Web connections, are already bearing fruit via bookings we`ve registered for the hotel`s first month of operation.”
With the addition of the Mina A` Salam, Utell now represents 25 hotels in Dubai, and more than 100 properties combined in 13 countries in the Middle East. Utell represents more than 4,400 properties worldwide, including more resort and luxury hotels than any other representation firm.
Travel agents can go to www.utell.com to learn more about Jumeirah International hotels and all Utell properties, as well as reserve rooms for clients. Photos of properties, details about local attractions, and other pertinent information can be accessed via Utell`s Web site. All rooms booked via www.utell.com are fully commissionable. Travel agents can also book Jumeirah International hotels in any major GDS by using the UI code.
“In a short period of time, Jumeirah International has established itself as one of the more creative hotel development and management companies in the hospitality industry today,” said Gideon Dean, senior vice president of global sales for Pegasus Solutions. “We are pleased to see our relationship grow with the opening of the remarkable Mina A` Salam hotel, and we look forward to doing our part to promote the hotel and drive bookings through a variety of reservation channels.”
Company Information -

With more than 4,400 member hotels in 140 countries, Pegasus Solutions` Utell service is the hotel industry`s largest third-party marketing and reservations provider. Created in 1930, the Utell service offers travel agents around the world a single source to go to for finding and booking virtually every type of hotel, from deluxe to economy, from independent properties such as the Dorchester in London and the Paris Las Vegas Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, to hotel chains such as Warwick International, Helmsley Hotels and SuperClubs. For more information, or to make reservations with a Utell-represented property, visit the Utell Web site at www.utell.com, or access the UI code on global distribution systems.
Dallas-based Pegasus Solutions, Inc. (www.pegs.com) is a leading global provider of hotel reservations-related services and technology. Its services include central reservations systems; electronic distribution services that connect more than 45,000 hotels to the Internet and to the global distribution systems (GDS); travel agent commission processing and payment services; the Utell marketing and reservation representation service (www.Utell.com); and PegasusCentral(TM), a Web-based enterprise solution with property management applications. Pegasus` customers comprise the majority of travel agencies around the world, including the top 10 largest U.S.-based travel agencies(2); more than 48,000 hotel properties around the globe, including all of the 50 largest hotel brands in the world based on total number of guest rooms(3); and thousands of Web sites/services have their hotel reservations Powered by Pegasus(TM). In addition to its corporate headquarters in Dallas, Pegasus has 18 offices in 11 countries, including regional hubs in London, Scottsdale and Singapore. The company`s stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol PEGS.
Jumeirah International properties are regarded as among the most luxurious and innovative in the world and have won numerous international travel and design awards. The group encompasses the world-renowned Burj Al Arab that has become a true icon and landmark for Dubai, the award winning Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Emirates Towers Hotel, Offices and Shopping Boulevard, The Jumeirah Beach Club, The World Trade Centre Hotel Dubai and Wild Wadi Water Park. In addition, the group opened The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management in summer 2001. Jumeirah International has expanded outside the Middle East into London, taking over the management contracts of The Carlton Tower and The Lowndes Hotel in London`s Belgravia last December. The company`s latest expansion is the unique resort development Madinat Jumeirah, a highly luxurious, world-class, multi-facility resort. For more information, visit www.jumeirahinternational.com.
Some statements made in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding future events, financial performance and financial projections, as well as management`s expectations, beliefs, hopes, intentions or strategies regarding the future. Because such statements deal with future events, they are subject to various risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially from current expectations. Factors that could cause or contribute to such difference include, but are not limited to, terrorist acts or war, global health epidemics, variation in demand for and acceptance of the company`s products and services and timing of sales, general economic conditions including a slowdown in technology spending by the company`s current and prospective customers, failure to maintain successful relationships with and to establish new relationships with customers, the success of the company`s international operations, the level of product and price competition from existing and new competitors, changes in the company`s level of operating expenses and its ability to control costs, delays in developing, marketing and deploying new products and services, as well as other risks identified in the company`s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including those appearing under the caption Risk Factors in the company`s 2002 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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