Forecasting Tool Gives Carlson Demand Outlook for North American Hotels

Carlson Hotels Worldwide announces the completion of its rollout of the Demand Forecasting Solution from JDA Software Group, Inc. Each of Carlson's 615 North American hotels are now using JDA Demand following an eight-month implementation. The software will deliver to Carlson a robust demand outlook to all of its North American hotels.

"Investing in revenue optimization is part of Carlson's strategic future development plan to drive greater profitability for our operators," says Yvonne La Penotiere, president of Carlson Hotels Worldwide -- The Americas.

Jim Rozell, Carlson Hotel's revenue optimization leader, indicates that the software's ability to automatically integrate regional and economic demand drivers into the demand outlook was especially beneficial to Carlson's operations.

"We have successfully accomplished the implementation of a highly flexible, sophisticated chain-wide forecasting solution that lightens the load on our hoteliers by delivering an accurate demand outlook that is easy to understand."

The forecasting solution also allows Carlson to strengthen its relationship with its hotels, many of whom lack the expertise or resources to devote to forecasting at the property level.

"In revenue optimization, we are really in the business of trust," Rozell adds. "We ask our hotels to give us a chance to do the heavy lifting; in turn, we give them the tools and the insight to make important decisions with confidence. Through phase one, we shifted the hotel forecasting paradigm; we now look forward to breaking more new ground in phase two with true price sensitive optimization."