Six Continents
Hotels announced the introduction of a new, advanced central reservations system - HOLIDEXå®Plus - as part of a US$75 million next generation systems project.

Over 140 Inter-Continental hotels and resorts have migrated to the new system this month, with the remainder of Six Continents Hotels` brands set to join the HOLIDEXPlus system by 2003. HOLIDEXPlus will allow hotels greater operational efficiencies and guests more flexibility and a greater choice in selecting personalized rate programs.
The introduction of HOLIDEXPlus means hotels can now provide more detailed descriptions of their properties, rates and promotions to the various Global Distribution Systems (GDS) and travel websites, enabling them to provide guests with precise information about the product offerings. HOLIDEXPlus allows the mix and match of rates and room types to provide guests with a more personalized service while offering greater flexibility to hotels in designing and distributing promotional packages through targeted channels to meet customer needs.

To date, Six Continents Hotels has invested US$75 million in the `next generations systems` project, which includes two other core business systems, the property management system and the revenue management system. Six Continents hotels` reservations network annually produces over 28 million room nights.

Tom Oliver, chairman and chief executive officer for Six Continents Hotels commented, “The introduction of HOLIDEXPlus is part of our on-going campaign to meet and exceed customer requirements across the globe. The system will host over 3,200 of our hotels on a single platform, benefiting both travel agents and guests. The new system will help our properties tailor and drive promotions through electronic channels, resulting in increased revenue for hotels and a wider choice of personalized packages for guests.”

He added, ” In today`s challenging environment, technology is playing an ever more important role in creating more sophisticated inventory management tools to market and sell services intelligently to a wider audience.”

Other brands under the Six Continents Hotels` portfolio - Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Express by Holiday Inn and Staybridge Suites - will commence migration to HOLIDEXPlus system in October 2002 with the transition completed by Summer 2003.

Related stories on ITN:

(30/08/2002) Six Continents Launches Online Site For Last Minute Travelers

(04/07/2002) Starwood & Six Continents install INNCom`s INNweb System

(14/06/2002) Six Continents Retail Experiences Rapid Growth with Ramesys

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