Initially, the exchange would bring together Accor, Bass (Leisure Retail and Hotels & Resorts), GranadaCompass, Hilton International and Whitbread, as well as their suppliers and customers.  As the exchange develops, it would also seek to attract additional participants. 

The exchange would provide a broad range of services, which could mean major operational benefits for buyers and suppliers across the industry. 

Companies using the exchange would benefit from streamlined transactions as a result of the switch to web-based trading. 

By adopting leading-edge technologies, there is opportunity to deliver benefits to all participants in the supply chain, including the consumer.

This new open and neutral exchange would signal the start of a new era in the sector.  It would also allow participating companies to reach wider markets, creating access to new customers and suppliers through the internet.

The business plan for the exchange will be completed in Autumn 2000, potentially leading to an initial launch in 2001.

Company information:

Accor is the hotel European leader and the first worldwide operator with
3,400 hotels (370,000 bedrooms) in 90 countries. Its main brands are:
Sofitel, Novotel, Mercure, Coralia, Thalassa, Ibis, Etap Hotel, Formule 1, Motel 6 and Red Roof.  Accor also operates in travel agencies, restaurants, casinos and services(cards, vouchers and online services for companies and public authorities).

Bass PLC is an international hospitality and leisure group focusing on hotels, leisure retail and branded drinks. Bass Hotels & Resorts owns, manages, or franchises a portfolio of leading international brands with nearly 3,000 hotels in over 90 countries. Bass Leisure Retail owns and manages a network of over 3,000 branded and unbranded pubs, bars, restaurants, and leisure venues across the UK.

GranadaCompass is a world leading hospitality business, incorporating the operating companies of Granada Restaurants and Compass Group. Within Europe these include Eurest, Sutcliffe and Select Service Partner (SSP), covering 15,000+ contract foodservice, concession, airport and roadside operations.  The Group is well known for brands such as Upper Crust, Ritazza coffee, Little Chef and Harry Ramsden�s, in addition to being the leading European franchisee of Burger King.

Hilton International a subsidiary of Hilton Group plc, currently operates 220 city centre, airport and resort hotels in more than 50 countries worldwide, including 127 hotels in UK and the rest of Europe.

Whitbread Plc is the UK's leading leisure company, and runs the country's largest restaurant business. It also owns and operates some of the country's most popular pubs, favourite hotels and busiest active leisure clubs. Whitbread employs over 100,000 people nationwide and has a turnover of £3.4bn. The company's aim is to create brands which customers appreciate and enjoy, and which have the potential to become leaders in their markets - prime examples include Travel Inn, David Lloyd Leisure and Costa.