Marriott International Inc. (NYSE/MAR), in conjunction with Amadeus and Sabre, has introduced a new, higher level of connectivity that provides total accuracy of rate and availability data presented to Amadeus and Sabre users via a seamless hotel shopping process.
Through both the Amadeus (via Dynamic Access) and Sabre (via Direct Connect Shop) global distribution systems (GDS), Marriott will provide travel agents with availability and pricing for multiple hotels during the shopping process directly from Marriott’s central reservations system. This will bring travel agents up to the moment, accurate rates and availability, providing access to the same information used by Marriott reservations agents and marriott.com users worldwide. Marriott was also the first participant in Worldspan Integrated Availability.
“We are thrilled to participate in this new functionality via Amadeus and Sabre,” said Bruce Wolff, senior vice president of Distribution Sales & Marketing for Marriott. “Travel agents are increasingly relying on hotel sales to support their agencies. This initiative is part of our on-going effort to give them the tools to help their customers make the best and most informed travel decision. Used in conjunction with Marriott’s EM master chain code, these tools give travel agents a greater sense of confidence that they are providing their clients with the most comprehensive hotel information available.”
Speaking for Amadeus, Stephane Durand, director for Travel Service Partners, said, “The main purpose of Dynamic Access is to secure optimum reliability at all stages of the booking process. Through Dynamic Access and other recent enhancements, which are part of our commitment to create the Seamless Next Generation of hotel distribution, we are vastly improving the hotel shopping experience, maximizing benefits for our customers and participating hotel companies.”
Toby March, vice president of Hotel Sales and Distribution for Sabre, said: “Direct Connect Shop will provide Marriott and other participating hotel customers the highest level of connectivity by bringing the travel agents and their customers one step closer to the hotel. Agents gain complete confidence in the accuracy of information and ability to serve their customers with rates and availability which come directly from Marriott’s Central Reservations System.”
In 2001, Marriott International generated over $3 billion in reservations sales through the GDS. Approximately one out of every five hotels reservations made through the GDS is for a Marriott International lodging brand, making the company the largest producer of reservations and room nights through the GDS. |