A new initiative has been launched to offer independent hotels equal opportunity in all distribution channels to their larger hotel chain competitors.
Cendant Travel Distribution Services (TDS) has launched HotelPORTSM, designed to provide a comprehensive global network and seamless distribution for U.S. independent hotels.

Through HotelPORTSM, hotels can benefit from the same distribution channels, both online and offline available to larger hotel chains.. Currently available for U.S. properties, HotelPORTSM will launch in International Markets in 2006.

“Smaller hotels typically have more modest budgets, but still require the visibility in the GDS and Internet markets to drive RevPAR and ADR while keeping distribution costs to a minimum,” said Fred Bean, vice president, Hotel Business Development, Cendant Travel Distribution Services.

He added: “HotelPORTSM has eliminated startup costs for standard usage and monthly minimum fees traditionally charged by representation companies, which have often been a barrier for independent properties to garner exposure in the online and offline distribution channels.”

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