Six Continents Hotels has announced the expansion of its existing
wireless and online reservations service to include a modification feature and
support for the RIM Blackberry and Pocket PC mobile wireless devices.
 
These enhancements allow guests to access and change existing reservations
made from any distribution channel, including reservations made via direct Six
Continents Hotels Web sites or 1-800-HOLIDAY, where previously all
modifications required agent assistance.  Consumers can access this value-
added convenience by selecting “Review/Cancel/Modify” on the Home and
Reservation Desk pages of any of the Six Continents Hotels brand Web sites—
InterContinental Hotels, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, and
Staybridge Suites.  The new Review/Cancel/Modify feature is also available
through Six Continents Hotels` Wireless Reservations Services.  In addition to
the new Pocket PC, RIM Blackberry and wireless Palm devices, Six Continents
Hotels` customers can also use all other Web-enabled devices and Web-enabled
mobile phones to make new reservations or modify existing reservations.
 
 
“Six Continents Hotels is committed to delivering the best solutions for
our customers by supporting and enhancing the way they live and work,” said
Del Ross, Director of Internet Business for Six Continents Hotels.  “Our
customers can now efficiently manage their travel plans by modifying or
canceling a reservation from their wireless PDA or web-enabled phone at any
time from any location.”
 
According to Forrester Research

, more than 61 million households in the US
alone will book travel online in 2003, making travel the number one activity
of Internet lookers and bookers.  Furthermore, IDC predicts that the number of
wireless handheld computing devices will climb from 13.6 million in 2000 to
70.9 million by 2005.
 
“We are moving toward a new generation of hand held convenience and
workspace,” Ross added.  “As consumers develop new ways of locating hotels and
interacting with us, we have to be there to ensure that Six Continents Hotels
is available whenever and however our guests choose to shop.”
  The modify reservations feature marks Phase II in the development of Six
Continents Hotels` Wireless Reservations Services.  Launched in 2001 in
partnership with Air2Web Inc., the leading mobile Internet platform provider,
Wireless Reservations Services allows consumers to obtain hotel information
easily from almost any wireless device, including digital text messaging
phones.
  Members of Priority Club Rewards, Six Continents Hotels` frequent guest
program, can also book and now modify reservations on Web-enabled devices, and through December 31, 2002, will receive 3,000
bonus points for all wireless reservations for hotel stays completed this
calendar year.  As a Priority Club Rewards member, stored room preferences and
credit card information are used to offer personalized reservations and
streamline the process.  Guests can register for the services on any Six
Continents Hotels branded Web site to select their device and customize their
profile. 
 
“With Six Continents Hotels` launch of its wireless reservations service
in 2001, they have solidly positioned themselves as having one of the most
progressive, m-commerce applications in the market,” said Dale Gonzalez,
Air2Web vice president of Wireless Research and Development.  “Six Continents
Hotels is determined to offer its guests every convenience including the
flexibility of making and changing their reservations anytime, anywhere from
any web-enabled device or phone.”
 
Related stories on ITN:

(04/11/2002) iPerceptions to Conduct Analysis for Six Continents Hotels

(08/10/2002) Six Continents Renews Agreement with Pegasus

(23/09/2002) Six Continents Launches New Central Reservations

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