Expedia has announced a partnership with Jin Jiang International Hotel Management
Company, the largest hotel owner and operator in China.As part of
the agreement, Jin Jiang, which owns and operates more than 250 hotels,
from luxury five-star lodging to economy accommodation, will now make its
entire inventory of JJIHMC hotels available to Expedia(R) customers.
  The new alliance expands upon Expedia’s industry-leading inventory in
the rapidly growing Asia Pacific market and helps ensure customers receive
the best online rates at the hotel of their choice. As the world’s foremost
online travel network, Expedia provides Jin Jiang with state-of-the-art
technology, online travel expertise, targeted marketing opportunities and
broad, global reach. The agreement comes as Jin Jiang has completed its IPO
on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and plans to expand outside of China, and
grow to 500 hotels and inns by 2010.
  “We have set an aggressive strategy for growth in the next four years,”
said Michael Meade, senior vice president of sales and marketing of Jin
Jiang Hotels. “Jin Jiang International Hotel Management Co., Ltd., has
introduced a new online distribution strategy including the launch of the
Central Reservation System (JREZ) powered by system service provider HUBS1.
Expedia is a critical component of that strategy. This partnership enables
us to reach a greater audience and increase our brand awareness while
providing our customers with the convenience and confidence of booking with
the world leader in online travel.”
  “We are delighted for the opportunity to provide value-added services
that link both hotel suppliers like Jin Jiang International Hotel Group and
distributors like Expedia together in a real-time fashion,” said D. Teddy
Zhang, president and CEO of HUBS1. “Through the HUBS1 platform, hotels in
China can greatly benefit from Expedia’s global network, and at the same
time, offer a better booking experience for Expedia’s customers. This
partnership changes the way hotel inventory is being distributed in China.”
  “This new partnership with Jin Jiang typifies the kind of flexible,
mutually beneficial relationships Expedia seeks to establish with its
partners,” said Cameron Jones, regional director of Expedia(R) Partner
Services Group, Asia Pacific. “By providing Jin Jiang with tailored
merchandising and added visibility through Expedia’s global network,
specifically in North America and Europe, Expedia gives Jin Jiang a market-
leading partner to significantly increase the number of high value
customers staying at their hotels.”
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