WORLDHOTELS
has signed an agreement with Groople. The agreement is the first of its kind to be signed by either company.Participating WORLDHOTELS’ properties will gain preferential listing placement on Groople.com and Travelocity.com. As of June 2005, a seamless GDS interface to WORLDHOTELS’ inventory will be finalized, enabling groups of five rooms or more to be booked and immediately confirmed on Groople.com and Travelocity.com.

Until June, reservations made through Groople will be processed through the WORLDHOTELS’ group travel department. Groople will also manage any customer service issues directly with the hotels.

The seamless interface to WORLDHOTELS’ inventory, developed by TRUST, enables consumers to use Groople to book as many rooms as a given hotel has available.

“We’re excited about our alliance with WORLDHOTELS because their presence in 70 countries worldwide will significantly boost Groople’s inventory overseas, giving leisure group travelers more options than ever before,” said Groople Chief Executive Officer David Loy. “By allowing these group bookings to be researched and confirmed online, this agreement further enhances the scope of hotel offerings.”

“This agreement renews our commitment to member hotels to drive more business through group channels,” said Tom Griffiths, vice president, WORLDHOTELS-the Americas. “It’s estimated that unmanaged leisure groups known as the SMERF market (Social, Military, Education, Religious, Fraternal) book $18 billion a year in travel. We’re confident that our alliance with Groople with help our company capture a greater share of this important market, while offering a quality portfolio of hotels to their customers.”

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