Pegasus Solutions and TravelSky Technology, China’s state-owned global distribution system (GDS), have completed a connection that makes Pegasus’ global hotel inventory of nearly 100,000 hotels available for booking in China.

With more than 1,000 hotels under nine brands, Starwood Hotels & Resorts is the first Pegasus customer to go live on the connection.

“As the largest global operator of upscale hotels in China, we have long recognized the hospitality business opportunity in the country,” said Qian Jin, senior vice president, operations, Greater China for Starwood.

“Today, the burgeoning middle class is not only travelling domestically, but has also expanded their travel beyond Chinese borders.

“Our hotels in China will continue to reap the rewards of domestic and inbound travel, and our global portfolio will tap growing outbound demand through the Pegasus/TravelSky connection.”

As the number of domestic and international Chinese travellers surges, the agreement makes Starwood properties available to the 7,000 travel agents who work with TravelSky managing the country’s growing demand.

TravelSky also now has full access to the Pegasus Hotel Content Database (HCD), one of the largest repositories of hotel descriptive content in the world, which houses nearly 1.5 million images, videos and virtual tours, as well as property and room descriptions.

“TravelSky, often referred to as the fifth GDS, has gone global from a hospitality perspective,” said Steve Lapekas, executive vice president, corporate business development for Pegasus Solutions.

“As established global chains expand into Greater China, and Chinese outbound travel maintains double-digit growth, this partnership provides a valued and reliable connection to our established distribution network of nearly 100,000 properties.

“We have completed the certification process to drive immediate value to Starwood, as well as the entire Pegasus distribution network.”

TravelSky completed the Pegasus Distribution certification process the week of 30 April 2012.