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Sales channels for hotels strengthened

Berlin, 25/07/08 - Distribution on the internet has become a little easier. Cultuzz Digital Media, a provider of booking and distribution technologies for hotels, has created an XML-based two-way interface to the world's biggest online travel agency, Expedia. It is now possible to send room availability data and prices to Expedia directly from the front office system of an hotel. Reservations received by Expedia are also transferred directly to the hotel's system.

With the direct connection to Expedia, Cultuzz is providing its customers with another strong partner in the booming business of internet reservations. All hotels and B&Bs using an associated hotel program - such as Velox, hotline, Deltra HS/3, Medusa, Gubse and others - can use this direct link to Expedia.

Expedia has joined the ranks of Cultuzz's strong distribution channels, such as HRS, hotel.de, Booking, ehotel and eBay. "We want to create direct links to all major distributors, if possible, as well as to regionally significant portals", says Reinhard Vogel, founder and managing director of Cultuzz. "In doing so, an important factor in terms of technology is that we can not only send, but also receive information. Only in this way can we speak of a closed information circuit".

The success of Cultuzz is based on in-house software solutions, such as CultSwitch, CultBay and CultBooking. Cultuzz stores all the relevant information of the respective hotel in a central database, along with availabilities, prices, cancellation policy and payment methods all the way through to images and descriptions of rooms and street maps. In fully automated processes, the data in question is exchanged between the hotel management program and numerous booking platforms. Incoming reservations are immediately returned to the hotel systems, ensuring that the data circulation system is completely closed.

Hotel owners have three major benefits in using this system: enormous time savings, thanks to a single point of entry to rates and inventory management; rate parity on all booking platforms and an effective system to prevent overbooking. "And if a hotel owner is not represented on a particular distribution channel, we're pleased to help", adds director of Sales Michael Jarugski.

With a booking volume of $20 billion, Expedia is the world's biggest online travel portal. Expedia-branded websites feature airline tickets, hotel reservations, car rental, cruises, and many other in-destination services from a broad selection of partners. Expedia sells 140,000 room nights per day.

Cultuzz Digital Media was founded by Reinhard Vogel in Berlin in 2000; today it has Subsidiaries in Europe, the US and Australia, as well as in India. The company is specialised in online sales and distribution for the hospitality industry and is the global market leader in selling hotel rooms on eBay.

British Airways introduces core application for new iPhone

London, 23/07/08 - British Airways is the first airline to introduce an application for the new Apple iPhone 3G with which customers can access real-time arrival and departure information, view the BA timetable and book flights.

At May's Apple convention, Apple CEO Steve Jobs announced that the iPhone 3G would allow developers to build applications for the device using the same tools Apple does, enabling seamless integration.

Two experts from British Airways information management, Andy Qua and Justin Davis, saw the potential benefits for the airline's customers from this opportunity and began development on a prototype.

"When it was demonstrated to the BA innovations team, it was immediately taken onboard for full commercial development,” said Paul Coby, chief information officer at British Airways.

"The iPhone provides a great platform and wonderful functionality for instant information. This application is bespoke to the iPhone 3G, so together they work perfectly in tune. We're excited that BA customers will be the first to get the benefit from an application of this kind.

"The iPhone is revolutionising mobile communications and allows us to provide instant access to arrivals and departures information which will enhance the experience of travelling with BA.

"We're always seeking to improve the service our customers enjoy by the smart use of innovative technology and the iPhone is a fantastic way to achieve this".

BA customers can download the application link by visiting www.apple.com/webapps.

MTA launches mobile internet site

London, 24/05/08 - The Malta Tourism Authority has developed its first mobile internet site, where consumers can find out more about the islands, receive free wallpapers showcasing some of its landscapes and download the ring tone of the TV advert which has been airing in the UK since December.

Consumers text the word Malta to 80231 to receive a link that will take them directly to the authority's mobile internet site (left). Users can also enter their email address on the mobile site to receive email alerts of events happening throughout the year.

The MTA's aim was to be one of the first tourist boards to take advantage of having a mobile internet version of their website. In addition, they could also see the ease by which users can instantly find out more about Malta via their mobile handset.

The aim is to promote the site "via mobile search and banner campaigns (on and off portal) as well as a text call to action on all future Malta Tourism Authority's extensive above the line marketing".

The concept was conceived by London-based FLIX Marketing to design, create and run the mobile platform. FLIX Marketing is also working on innovative promotional mobile-based campaigns to drive traffic to the site.

 "We are delighted to be able to offer this service to UK consumers", says the MTA's London-based Chris Fenech.

"Most people", he adds, "are now constantly on the move and this mobile internet site will enable those interested in travelling to Malta to ask us for information about the islands and, more specifically, about the many events which take place there and receive rapid and extensive feedback on their queries".

Meantime, Darren Ryan of Flix Marketing says "a priority for any tourist board is to showcase its destination to as many consumers as possible. With this in mind, building a mobile platform for the Malta Tourism Authority provided the perfect solution for people to find out more, whenever and wherever is convenient for them".

Flix Marketing, founded in 2002, is one of only a handful of companies that specialises in developing innovative mobile campaigns for clients. It serves internet pages to more than 800 mobile handsets in the UK through a unique technology platform.

Flix Marketing develops campaigns tailored specifically to the client's requirements. They can provide anything from a simple text back for information service to a fully serviced mobile internet solution offering extensive information, pictures, and videos.

Ryanair launches Ryanairvillas.com

Dublin, 15/05/08 - Ryanair today announced the launch of Ryanairvillas.com, which will give property owners the chance to advertise holiday rentals on Europe's "largest travel site".

In partnership with Web Reservations International, Ryanairvillas.com will afford property owners the chance to create and publish their own advertisements, including photos, maps and property descriptions, while providing the necessary online tools to manage enquiries and bookings.

Speaking today, Ryanair's Sinead Finn said: "Ryanairvillas.com gives property owners an unrivalled advertising opportunity on Europe's largest travel website. Property owners now have the chance to promote holiday rentals to Ryanair's 60 million passengers, while Ryanairvillas' simple design will enable owners to manage advertising content and booking enquiries at the click of a mouse.

"To celebrate the launch of Ryanairvillas.com, we are slashing 50 per cent off advertising fees, so for one week only, property owners can reach Ryanair's 60 million passengers for a special price of just €100 plus VAT".

New travel search engine launches in UK

London, 15/05/8 - A UK version of Scandinavia's largest independent travel search engine has just been launched with a pledge to offer the best online deals for cheap flights.

Danish company Travelmarket has launched www.travelmarket.co.uk and claims its price comparison technology makes it the best website on the internet for returning the cheapest flights for UK internet users. It claims to have cheap flights to New York, cheap flights to Australia and cheap flights to Thailand.

It is a free and easy-to-use website and applies the same search principles as Google to trawl hundreds of different websites for cheap flights - including the low cost airlines (most websites do not do this as they do not generate click through revenues from low cost airlines).

The new website is aiming to emulate its success in Scandinavia where it currently generates half a million hits every month - and this is why it can include low cost carriers according to Travelmarket's chief executive Ole Stouby.

"The price comparison market for cheap flights is very competitive in the UK but in our new website we believe we have a more comprehensive search dynamic which enables us to return cheap flights for any search", says Stouby.

"We are confident that we always find the cheapest flight.

"The UK is a very important market for us because we want to offer cheap flights to New York, cheap flights to Australia, cheap flights to Thailand and cheap flights to Paris, in the same way we do for internet users in our native Scandinavia.

The company has plans to expand across Europe and it sees the UK as a springboard to achieving growth because UK consumers are keen to find the cheapest flights on the internet.

Stouby added: "Travelmarket is launching websites in the UK and Germany because there is an opportunity to differentiate ourselves in a crowded marketplace and become the number one online destination for consumers wanting the peace of mind that they have got the cheapest flights on the internet".

Travelmarket is a travel search engine and searches hundreds of different websites to find the cheapest flights for internet users. Travelmarket.com does not sell any form of travel arrangements because it concentrates on flights, cars and hotels. It simply finds the best airfares for internet users and visitors book on the website whose fares they prefer.

Travelmarket is listed on the Copenhagen Stock Exchange and has 30 employees.