New York, NY and Washington, DC � October 15, 2003 � Hospitality eBusiness Strategies (HeBS), www.hospitalityebusiness.com, a leading Internet, eMarketing and eDistribution consulting firm for the travel and hospitality industry, and National Trust Historic Hotels of America (HHA), www.historichotels.org, today announced a consulting services agreement.  HeBS will consult with HHA to develop a robust direct online distribution strategy and provide a more powerful and effective channel of distribution to their 203 member hotels throughout the United States and Canada.  To inaugurate the agreement, HeBS president and CEO Max Starkov and VP of eMarketing Strategies Jason Price will present �Brand Erosion, or How Not to Market Your Hotel on the Web� at the HHA annual meeting on October 23 in St. Louis. 
HeBS services will consist of five components:  total online distribution strategy; HHA Web site optimization services; search engine and link popularity strategies; online booking technology analysis; and a destination Web strategy.  As a result of implementation of this strategy HHA will deliver more value to its member hotels and help them to achieve increased reservations and RevPARs (revenue per available rooms).

"There is much confusion among hoteliers about how the Internet can truly advance hotel interests," commented Starkov.  "Since HHA�s approach enables hoteliers to maintain complete control over their rates and availability, HHA is a �hotel-friendly� channel of distribution, adding genuine value to member hotel marketing efforts, in stark contrast to the more familiar merchant models."

Many hoteliers appreciate how critical creating the right mix between a direct-to-consumer and indirect online distribution strategy is to a successful Internet strategy.  The benefits can be substantial.  Developing an online destination strategy that strengthens both direct channels and the right indirect channels can avoid price and brand erosion, control distribution costs, and enable hotels to maximize revenues by better managing their inventory.  This is accomplished by creating a pro-active Total Online Distribution Strategy that combines best Internet practices with a comprehensive destination strategy and an aggressive web presence. 

By partnering with an organization such as HHA, hoteliers are assured their marketing strategies are being implemented in ways that help meet both revenue and occupancy goals as well as enhancing their market position.

Commented Shirley Talbert, director of marketing distribution for HHA, �Our mission is to help our members increase reservations in a way that supports their marketing strategy and delivers a substantial return on their investment in HHA.  With HeBS expertise, we will introduce HHA to more travelers via our Web site�

About HeBS

Hospitality eBusiness Strategies, Inc. (HeBS), www.hospitalityebusiness.com, based in New York City, is a leading Internet strategy consulting firm for the hospitality and travel verticals. HeBS specializes in helping hoteliers build their direct-to-consumer online distribution and eMarketing strategy. HeBS helps hoteliers regain control of their online brand and price integrity from the online discounters and lessen their dependence on the online wholesalers. The firm has integrated the latest research and developments in eCRM, eMarketing and eDistribution into a comprehensive set of Internet-based consulting products and services designed to help hotels increase occupancy rates, open new markets, attract more affluent customers and reduce costs by utilizing the Internet to its fullest potential.    The firm brings a unique perspective in the hospitality industry gained through working with over 120 hospitality companies: major brands, independent hotels, casinos, convention bureaus and hotel management companies nationwide and Europe, Asia, Asia-Pacific, North America and Latin America.

About HHA

Historic Hotels of America, www.historichotels.org, is a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.  Historic Hotels has identified 200 hotels that have faithfully maintained their historic integrity, architecture and ambiance.  To be selected for this prestigious program, a hotel must be at least 50 years old, listed in or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places or recognized as having historic significance.  A directory of member hotels can be purchased for $4.00 by sending a check to Historic Hotels of America, P.O. Box 320, Washington, D.C. 20055-0320.  Rooms at any of the member hotels can be reserved by calling 800-678-8946 or at www.historichotels.org.  Reservations made through Historic Hotels of America support the National Trust, a non-profit organization of 200,000 members that provides leadership, education and advocacy to save America's diverse historic places and revitalize our communities.