Carlson Hotels Implements Distribution System Across all Brands
Carlson Hotels Worldwide, a global hotel company with more than 1,000 properties in 74 countries, has enabled a Direct Connect between the company's five hotel brands and Amadeus' distribution system. This provides Carlson Hotels with a faster, more flexible, efficient and reliable interface and enables the brand to provide a more accurate booking process for the 99,000 travel agencies worldwide connected to Amadeus.
"Carlson Hotels has always valued its relationship with the travel agent community," says Christine Brosnahan, vice president of Distribution & Reservation Services for Carlson Hotels Worldwide. "Having a direct connection will enable us to add content on a timelier basis and provide functionality that travel agents seek to enable an easier selling process."
"Our commitment to travel agents is evident with our newly enhanced and patented look to book travel agency loyalty program which enables agents to earn points for every booking they make within the global distribution systems" adds Brosnahan. "In addition we have recently implemented a centrally funded commission payment process that will ensure our travel agency partners are paid commissions in full in a timely basis. Carlson Hotels believes Direct Connect provides us the opportunity to communicate more directly to this important partner while growing our presence globally."
Connection standard
The connection, based on the OpenTravel Alliance's XML, standards, uses the most advanced, open technology. The new connection will enable Amadeus and Carlson to implement new features and enhancements more quickly, saving time and improving the quality of their content in the Amadeus' system. The Direct Connect allows both companies to proactively develop new offers that keep pace with the demands of travelers today and in the years to come.
The OpenTravel Alliance was founded in 1999 to solve the problems inherent in connecting multiple systems in the complex travel distribution arena. The alliance creates and drives adoption of open specifications, including the use of XML for the electronic exchange of business information in all sectors of the travel industry. By adopting these standards, Amadeus and Carlson Hotels are helping the travel industry work towards a future where communication between all players in the travel distribution chain is seamless and straightforward.