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Channel Reservation Sales in First Quarter of 2004 - Aggressive Focus on Client Profitability Draws Growing Number of International Operators to Second Largest Reservation Sales Provider |
Calgary, Alberta, Canada � April 13, 2004 � VIP Investment Corp., a
channel marketing provider committed to being �the number one producer
of reservations and profitability per client� for hotels, car rental companies,
and regional airlines today announced 336 new client properties around
the world selected VIP to supply GDS bookings, channel management consulting
services, branded website services, and voice center reservations in the
first quarter of 2004. This is a 229% increase over the fourth quarter
of 2003, following the acquisition of Lexington Services in November of
2003 by a sister subsidiary of VIP. VIP is the global travel industry�s
second largest channel marketing provider that drives revenue through the
adoption of leading-edge technology, and personalized ongoing client education.
VIP�s focus on client profitability is fueling the company�s continued growth that includes agreements with two North American chains, the 18-property Lee�s Inns of America and EnVille Inc. with more than 2,000 rooms between them. The 811-room La Cabana All Suites Beach Resort on Aruba, and the prestigious Augusta Inn and Conference Center near the world famous Masters Golf Tournament are among the independent properties signing with VIP for channel reservation services. �Simply providing bookings to hotels is no longer enough; the new measure of channel provider value is reservation profitability,� said Rick Shaum, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing with VIP, who noted the combined sales teams of VIP International and Lexington Services �did not skip a beat� during the merger process. �More and more,� continued Shaum, �we see that hoteliers desire a �partner� who works with them to increase revenue and profitability across an ever increasing array of marketing channels.� "VIP is customer-profitability focused,� said Martin Gray, Executive Vice President Marketing and Sales, Trust Hotels. �This, combined with their unique grasp of the issues facing the distribution industry today, makes them the best reservation channel sales option for hotel operators. Their LexBook reservation engine has resulted in a measurable increase in bookings and revenue." Gregory Crick, GM of the Inn At Harbor Steps, in Seattle, Washington, agreed, �We are very happy with the increased revenue production developed by VIP. Our increase in reservations and Internet exposure started as an incremental improvement and continues to grow.� VIP provides its client hotels with the services of 50 revenue managers who are at the center of the company�s personalized approach to customer education, service and success. �No other channel reservation provider has the large number of trained revenue management specialists guiding and supporting its properties� profitability that VIP offers,� explained VIP�s Rick Shaum. �Delivering a large number of reservations to clients is a good baseline measure, but in today�s marketplace profitability rules. VIP�s emphasis on the financial success of its clients is what drives our expansion.� About VIP
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VIP International
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