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Utell® Hotels & Resorts Signs Up Hundreds of New Members in 2009

Visit HITEC Booth #1054 or twitter.com/pegexec, Around the Globe, 471 Hotels from
65 Countries Have Selected Utell Since the Beginning of the Year



LONDON (June 23, 2009) � Utell® Hotels & Resorts has seen a substantial rise in the number of independent hotels and small independent group hotels seeking out and subscribing to its hotel representation services since the start of 2009. 

Through to the end of May, more than 150 hotels have chosen to sign up for full service membership. This enables hotels to capitalize on Utell�s unrivaled expertise in global marketing, sales and distribution services with valuable benefits that include Utell�s strength of partnerships and programs in the agency, TMC (travel management companies) and corporate markets. Utell�s representation and distribution also makes hotels available on the GDSs under Utell�s UI code, through Utell�s global call center network and the dedicated agent site UtellAgent.com

In addition, over 320 hotels have joined the Utell Connect service, which offers independent hotels and small groups a representation solution, allowing them to outsource electronic distribution and connectivity needs (under the Utell Connect brand and UZ chain code), while handling their own marketing and sales activities. This service was formerly known as Unirez and recently rebranded to clearly demonstrate its prominence as part of the Utell family.

Utell�s new member hotels cover a worldwide geographic spread across each continent in categories ranging from value to superior and luxury. To date, the top ten countries with hotels contributing to Utell�s recent sizeable portfolio growth are: Germany, Italy, United States, India, Thailand, China, Japan, Ukraine, Russia and Turkey. 

Overall, Europe and the United States remain the strongest regions for full UI membership growth. The U.K. and Italy together accounted for 33 new hotels, and the U.S. saw a healthy addition of 27 new full UI hotels. These new members include renowned properties such as The Roosevelt in New York, and Soho House New York, which join the ranks of four Helmsley Hotels in the city, including the Helmsley New York.

Asia Pacific has also realized a healthy boost this year across both Utell and Utell Connect services, a testament to Utell�s strong local presence worldwide, which now includes 18 offices in 11 countries.

Ric Leutwyler, president of Utell and CMO of Pegasus Solutions said, �We are delighted to welcome a whole host of new international member hotels, demonstrating Utell�s far-reaching global presence. The recent turmoil in the worldwide economy has led many hotels to reassess their sales, marketing and distribution strategies, and has encouraged a renewed focus on targeted tactics for generating their fair share of revenue from the global hospitality market. Utell is committed to helping our member hotels achieve this. By offering flexible, user-friendly technology and revenue management tools that hotels can mix and match according to their core requirements, Utell is delivering results during both difficult and good times.�

As the world�s largest third-party hotel sales, marketing and representation service, Utell represents more than 11,000 properties in over 130 countries, enabling independent and small group hotels to compete globally by reaching business and leisure customers through travel agents, corporations, marketing and distribution channels. Utell continues to build its brand internationally with notable additions, including the following in 2009:

Soho House, New York (GDS code: UI) � Located at the forefront of the buzzing Meatpacking District, a shopping, dining and nightlife Mecca, the waiting list for a membership to Soho House New York is long, but hotel guests are members for the duration of their stay, with access to all the Club has to offer. Soho House is the epitome of urban sophistication. The interior design resembles New York loft apartments, with hardwood floors, brick walls, exposed ceiling beams and Swarovski chandeliers. And here, membership, however temporary, has its privileges, including 24-hour butler service, the Cowshed Spa and a rooftop pool with views of the Hudson River and the West Village. 

The Roosevelt Hotel, New York (GDS code: UI) � Considered the Grand Dame of Madison Avenue since 1924, white-gloved porters whisk guests through the traditional revolving doors of The Roosevelt Hotel, where they are immediately transported to the grandeur of old New York City. The Roosevelt Hotel is located right in the thick of things - steps from Fifth-Avenue shopping and Park Avenue, and a straight shot to the hip East Village and Lower East Side�s restaurants and bars. Offering 1,015 guestrooms, its historic heritage is reflected in the meticulously restored interiors, designed to capture the original architecture and offer modern-day amenities.

NCED Hotel and Conference Center, Oklahoma (GDS code: UI) � Located on a 72-acre campus, the NCED Conference Center and Hotel is the largest hotel in Oklahoma with 996 rooms.  Recently opened to the public, this government-owned hotel offers an unparalleled array of amenities, including 60,000 sq. ft. of fitness and recreational amenities, including an Olympic-size pool, indoor gymnasium and tennis courts � all at no extra charge. All guest rooms are newly renovated and the hotel also offers massage and spa services, including a hair and nail salon.

Domina Group, Italy (GDS code: UI)  �  Domina Hotel Group, the only independent Italian hotel chain with an international focus both in the business tourism sector and the leisure area, has chosen Utell for full service representation of 11 of its properties: Domina Inn Ilmarine, Tallin;  Domina Inn City Hotel, Tallin ; Domina Residence, Poznan; Domina Inn Fiesta, Budapest; Domina Hotel and Conference, Rotterdam; Domina Inn, Riga; Domina Inn Fiera,  Milano; Domina Hotel and Conference Capanelle, Rome; Domina Inn Malpensa, Milan; Domina Hotel Kurhaus and Conference, Bad Kreuznach.

Altis Group, Portugal (GDS code: UI) � Altis Hotels Portugal chain is one of the biggest hotel groups in Lisbon, and has selected Utell to represent Altis Hotel, Altis Park and Altis Belen. Genuine to the best characteristics of Portuguese daily life, Altis Hotels have always adopted family values as the business philosophy of the group, fostering the very finest tradition in Portuguese hospitality.

Laico Hotels, Africa (GDS code: UI) � African group Laico Hotels promotes a diverse range of properties rated from 3 to 5 star, from city center to lodges in the heart of Africa's finest wildlife national parks. Laico has selected Utell for full-service representation for the following ten hotels: Laico Umubano; Laico Regency Nairobi Hotel; Laico El Farouk Bamako Hotel; Laico Hammamet; Laico l'Amitie Bamako Hotel; Laico Lake Victoria Entebbe Hotel; Laico Maya Maya Brazzaville Hotel; Laico Okoume Palace Libreville Hotel; Laico Ouaga 2000; and Laico Tunis Hotel.

Kensingtonrooms, England (GDS code: UI) � Kensingtonrooms in London is both a contemporary hotel and dynamic events venue, all under one roof, providing a dynamic fusion of beautiful original Victorian features with contemporary modern style and design. The hotel can be found just west of the vibrant shops, restaurants and bars of Knightsbridge, in London�s fashionable district of Kensington.

Waterfront Group, Philippines (GDS code: UI) � Previously a Utell Connect customer, the Waterfront Group elected this year to upgrade to Utell�s full-service (UI) representation services, bringing on board five superior category properties: Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino Mactan, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino, Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao, G-Hotel Manila by Waterfront and Manila Pavilion Hotel and Casino.

Chimelong Hotel Guangzhou (GDS code: UI) � With 1,395 rooms Chimelong Hotel Guangzhou has the largest conference facilities in China. It is situated on 360 hectares of beautifully landscaped grounds, surrounded by Chimelong Night Zoo and Xiang Jiang Safari Park. In addition, the hotel features captive White Tigers and Flamingos in its courtyards. Decorated with safari-style ornaments, the lobby reflects the beauty of the local landscape with a touch of elegance, complementing serene guest rooms equipped with comprehensive facilities.

In 2009, Utell has continued to expand its service offering, in line with industry needs and requirements, to ensure hotels are receiving access to market-leading services and technology. This year, the launch of MarketVision offers hotels a comprehensive competitive intelligence tool to track and monitor a property�s market demand trends for historic and future performance evaluation, and planning relative to key competitors. In addition, a new partnership with Milestone Internet Marketing offers Utell member hotels a chance to benefit from award-winning, revenue-driving Internet marketing services.

These services, in addition to Utell�s core offering, are more important than ever in providing properties with a leading edge in the marketplace. As part of Utell�s ongoing growth and business development strategy for hotels, the company remains committed to bringing its members numerous opportunities to provide them with ultimate competitive advantage. 

Editor�s Note: Utell Hotels & Resorts sources are available for interviews at HITEC Booth #1054, and at twitter.com/pegexec

About Utell® Hotels & Resorts
Utell Hotels & Resorts, part of Pegasus Solutions Inc, is the world�s leading hotel representation service providing a specialised range of powerful sales, marketing and distribution solutions for hotels and travel distributors.  Utell is chosen by more than 11,000 independent hotels and small groups in over 130 countries and comprises an extensive and diverse international portfolio that includes luxury, boutique, value, business and resort properties for both business and leisure travellers. Utell offers an unrivalled combination of 80 years� experience representing hotels by delivering first class business generating solutions.  These include preferred travel agent and online partnership agreements, a range of worldwide marketing programmes, leading edge Internet booking engine solutions, comprehensive business intelligence reporting capabilities and award-winning hotel Website marketing. Utell�s products and services are used by thousands of travel agencies, travel providers and businesses worldwide, including major global TMC�s (travel management companies), corporations, online distributors and consortia groups. Visit www.utell.com.

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Contact:

Ariel Herr for Utell
+1 (214) 890-7912
[email protected]

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Also See: Pegasus Solutions Teams with Rubicon to Launch New MarketVision Competitive Intelligence Reporting: Visit HITEC Booth #1054 or twitter.com/pegexec, Hotel Users Switch to MarketVision to Take Advantage of Pre-eminent Market Intelligence / June 2009
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