| Calgary, Alberta, Canada � August 24, 2000 -
VIP International Corporation, electronic distribution provider for over
3,400 hotels and car rental locations, announced two new clients that together
demonstrate how VIP makes a smart fit for large independent properties
as well as hotel chains. The Stratosphere Casino Hotel & Tower
in Las Vegas, and Ameritel Inns of Idaho join a growing group of properties
attracted to the VIP reservation model.
VIP International electronically distributes hotels and car rental locations
through the Global Distribution Systems (GDS�s) travel agents use to book
reservations, as well as through dozens of web sites designed for consumers
such as Expedia.com, Travelocity.com and Trip.com.
Through VIP, The Stratosphere Hotel and AmeriTel Inns will enjoy seamless
connectivity to make all of the properties bookable in real time from a
wide variety of electronic channels. In addition, VIP lends
channel management expertise to help clients make the most of technology
through effective inventory management, electronic marketing and training.
Thanks to the investment of millions of dollars by its new owner billionaire
financier Carl Icahn, The Stratosphere has recently emerged from the financial
problems that had plagued it almost since opening in 1996. With plans
calling for a second 1,000-room tower and convention complex to open in
a year, the hotel is enjoying a renaissance of sorts -- and the new contract
with VIP is just one indication of how management is gearing up for long-anticipated
dominance of the Las Vegas hotel landscape.
�We are a big hotel in a dynamic market,� said Lisa Salem, reservation
manager for the Stratosphere. �And we are glad to have the strength
of VIP�s 20 years of experience on our side.�
| Salem said that her VIP support team has been
involved in every aspect of driving revenue through the electronic channels.
�VIP assigned us a productivity manager who coordinated everything from
rate loading and inventory management strategies to marketing message development
and advertising buys.� She added, �They have been a tremendous asset
to us in interpreting market data�and using that intelligence to guide
our electronic distribution strategy.�
AmeriTel Inns owns and operates seven hotels in Idaho, including flagship
properties in Boise, home of the company�s corporate headquarters.
This September AmeriTel�s reputation for commitment to hospitality, professional
service and abundant amenities spreads with the opening of their newest
location in Washington�s state capital Olympia.
Chuck Everett, operations manager for AmeriTel Inns, expressed confidence
in VIP saying, �We are extremely pleased to have selected VIP International
to provide us with GDS and Internet reservation services that will allow
our guests to make and confirm reservations through our corporate website,
as well as offer us a high degree of service and support with our marketing
efforts.�
 Rita
Emmer, vice president of sales for VIP viewed the two latest contracts
as a validation of VIP�s unique blend of cutting edge technology with customized
support. �We are very pleased to be doing business with both of these
organizations, and although they have different kinds of products and different
needs, they both saw VIP as providing the best reservation solution in
the business. That is extremely gratifying to me and my team.�
|
Agent� � Industry�s First
Fully Web-Based
Reservation System � Plus Comprehensive
Support Services
VIP International Corporation announced a new strategic
alliance with SynXis Corporation that makes VIP the first to wrap this
cutting edge reservation technology in a comprehensive package of support
services. SynXis� product Agent� allows clients seamless connectivity
to the Global Distribution Systems (GDS�s) and online booking sources for
consumers. VIP adds the channel management expertise that helps clients
make the most of the technology through effective inventory management,
marketing and training.
�This partnership allows us to offer our clients
the best central reservations solution available,� said Rita Emmer, vice
president of sales for VIP. �It is the most sophisticated web-based
system in the industry because it maintains a single, real time representation
of property inventory that is accessible by all booking sources, and that
makes it a strong tool for properties that want to eliminate the booking
barriers that can occur when multiple distribution channels - and multiple
inventories - have to be managed separately.�
VIP-represented hotels are learning that the new technology
combined with personalized service and distribution management expertise
from VIP made the transition simple.
According to Emmer, �Our experience has shown that hotel
managers think they have to have a PhD in information technology to be
able to harness the power of electronic distribution to drive revenue into
their properties. The Agent� technology combined with VIP�s support
finally makes it easy for hotels to maximize their visibility in these
critical channels.�
Lisa Salem, reservation manager for the Las Vegas Stratosphere
Casino Hotel & Tower, said her VIP support team helped with every aspect
of adopting the new technology. �VIP assigned us a productivity manager
who coordinated everything from rate loading and inventory management strategies
to marketing message development and advertising buys,� she said.
In addition, Salem added, �They have been a tremendous
asset to us in interpreting market data we get from other sources, and
in using that intelligence to drive revenue through the electronic channels.
We are a big hotel in a dynamic market, and we are glad to have the strength
of VIP�s 20 years of experience on our side.� |
|
As a traditional hotel and car rental representation company, generating
reservations through travel agency central reservation systems for more
than 21 years, VIP INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION has gained an advantage in
the e-commerce travel game as a profitable entity. We have created a viable
revenue stream from traditional agency sources and are now a new Internet
price leader, driving profitable bookings for our clients and gaining a
competitive edge in the e-commerce market. VIP International Corporation
is a wholly owned subsidiary of HARS Systems, Inc. |
