There is big news in the world of direct bookings this morning with recent addition of 100+ InterContinental Hotels Group hotels to TravelShark?s distribution network of destination-specific travel websites. Highlights of the official announcement (both below and attached) include:
Selected InterContinental, Crowne Plaza and Hotel Indigo properties are receiving premium positioning on TravelShark?s customized destination websites
TravelShark?s Featured Hotel Program provides IHG with direct links to their own proprietary websites, driving highly profitable, non-commissionable, direct bookings
IHG is already seeing significant direct bookings coming through the TravelShark network
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
InterContinental Hotels Group Partners With TravelShark to Drive Direct Bookings Worldwide
World?s largest hotel group signs agreement listing more than 100 major-market properties on destination-specific global travel sites
SINGAPORE (September 27, 2011) ? Leading online global travel network TravelShark, owner of thousands of destination-specific travel websites, has signed an agreement with InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) to place more than 100 upscale IHG hotel properties on the rapidly expanding TravelShark distribution network. The new deal adds 50 additional Featured Hotels to the 54 that were already being prominently displayed on TravelShark?s global, major-market travel sites, including www.SingaporeHotels.com.sg, www.HongKongHotel.com, www.SydneyHotels.com, and www.BostonHotels.com.
The agreement with IHG means that the 104 selected properties?including hotels under the InterContinental, Crowne Plaza and Hotel Indigo flags?are receiving premium positioning on both the home pages and interior pages of TravelShark?s customized destination websites. In addition, TravelShark provides Featured Hotel Program partners with direct links to their own proprietary websites, driving highly profitable, non-commissionable, direct bookings to InterContinental Hotels Group’s seven different brand websites including www.intercontinental.com, www.holidayinn.com and www.crowneplaza.com. TravelShark caps the number of hotels listed on each site, ensuring that the featured properties receive maximum exposure to prospective guests.
Many key global travel markets are impacted by the agreement, including London, Rome, Paris and New York City. In each city, selected IHG properties are featured on the appropriate localized travel site, such as HotelLondon.com, RomeHotel.com, ParisHotel.net and NewYorkHotel.net.
“This extended partnership is significant because IHG hotels are seeing significant direct bookings coming through the TravelShark network, making it desirable to double the number of properties that leverage our unique distribution model,” says TravelShark CEO Sue Heilbronner.
TravelShark is creating buzz across the travel industry for its global-to-local concept, offering international consumers an interactive hub for market-specific travel planning. Meanwhile, hoteliers in the local markets benefit from prominent exposure to would-be travelers without sacrificing inventory allotment or signing on to high-priced commission models.
For more information on TravelShark and its online global travel network, please visit http://www.travelshark.com/
About TravelShark | TravelShark is the world?s largest online travel network, with thousands of location-based travel websites for destinations around the globe. TravelShark connects global travelers with hyper-local travel solutions and memorable trips. The Company?s sites generate profitable revenue for travel companies by driving direct bookings for hotels, resorts, restaurants, spas and more through its Featured Hotel Program. The TravelShark network includes major-market, content-rich sites like LasVegasHotels.com, SingaporeHotels.com.sg and HotelLondon.com. TravelShark is headquartered in Singapore, with a U.S. office in Boulder, Colorado. To learn more about how TravelShark can work for your property or travel company, please visit www.travelshark.com, or call +1-720-239-1280.
About InterContinental Hotels Group
IHG owns, manages, leases or franchises, through various subsidiaries, almost 4,000 hotels and more than 590,000 guest rooms in nearly 100 countries and territories around the world. IHG owns a portfolio of well recognized and respected hotel brands including InterContinental? Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza? Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn? Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express?, Staybridge Suites?, Candlewood Suites? and Hotel Indigo?, and also manages the world’s largest hotel loyalty program, Priority Club? Rewards with over 37 million members worldwide. www.ihg.com.