IHG Signs New Full Content and Technology Services Deal with Travelport

Travelport has signed a new long-term full content and technology services agreement with InterContinental Hotels Group.

The agreement guarantees Travelport-connected subscribers throughout the world instant access to complete rates from IHG’s more than 4,500 properties worldwide.

IHG will also participate in advanced merchandising, pricing and connectivity solutions from Travelport, including Travelport’s enhanced Best Available Rate Program, Travelport Complete Pricing Plus and Travelport XML Pro Technology Solution.

IHG is implementing Enhanced Data Response with Travelport’s Complete Pricing Plus technology, exclusive to the Galileo and Apollo systems. The technology will enable IHG to return detailed information in response to requests for availability, rates and rules, including nightly rates, meals, cancel and refund policies, rate categories, commissions, credential requirements and total cost for entire stays, to the travel agent via the GDS.

All Travelport subscribers will gain improved shopping experiences and system response times when IHG upgrades its GDS interface through the Travelport XML Pro Technology Solution. The highly developed interface will allow IHG to transact with Galileo, Apollo and Worldspan subscribers for real-time rates, availability, rules and property information.

XML Pro Technology Solution eliminates the need for suppliers and retailers to use third-party solutions for GDS interface, and employs the latest OpenTravel Alliance (OTA) universal transmission specifications for travel.

“IHG seeks long-term partnerships that fortify our business by expanding our reach and sales,” said Andrew Rubinacci, vice president, Distribution & Intermediary Sales, IHG. “We established an XML Pro interface to Worldspan in 2008 and experienced greater transaction efficiency, speed and accuracy. Travelport is a leader in XML solutions, and we’re eager to use their next-gen XML Pro Technology Solution across all three of their GDSs, and to increase the relevance of data we provide agents during the shopping process.”

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