Hotel Online  Special Report

.

Temple Gate Hotel Captures Prestigious HSMAI Award; 
Internet Reservation Volume Sky-Rockets in 2003

CALGARY, Alberta, Canada � November 4, 2003 � The Irish Chapter of the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) hosted its 7th annual awards ceremony and gala dinner on September 23rd in the Burlington Hotel in Dublin.  A total of fifteen awards for marketing excellence and innovation were presented to members of the Irish Tourism industry.

The Temple Gate Hotel, a 70 room hotel located in the centre of the historic town of Ennis, Co. Clare, Ireland, was thrilled to walk away from the evening with the coveted distinction of being named this year�s Best Hotel Internet Strategy entrant.  The Temple Gate Hotel was short-listed as a finalist in the category in a group of four applicants.

�I am delighted that we have won this prestigious award, � commented Paul Madden, the Hotel�s GM. �It is a genuine belief of mine that we have achieved this with tremendous support from VIP International, particularly through our productivity from �Book-A-Rez� and also some really dedicated Account Management, without which we would not be as successful. Additionally to this we have also received superb exposure through the alternative distribution channels such as Pegasus. I hope we can continue to develop our Internet Strategy with the help of VIP International in the future.�

Entrants in the category were judged on a number of criteria relating to Internet strategy, including excellence in web design and functionality and the integration of Internet marketing activity with other forms of marketing initiatives.  Particular weight was given to demonstrable effectiveness in using the Internet as a medium for commercial transactions and customer relationship management strategies.  

The Temple Gate Hotel, a VIP client since 2002, made a conscious decision last year to begin utilizing the Internet to bolster its reservation volume.  With the assistance of VIP and the Book-A-Rez product, The Temple Gate added a booking engine to its proprietary website thereby enabling visitors to the site to access real-time rates and availability and receive instant confirmations to reservations made online.  A willingness on the hotel�s part to participate in the various merchant model programs offered by VIP further optimized the hotel�s exposure on the Internet.  By allowing VIP to distribute the hotel�s inventory through Pegasus, TravelWeb, Lodging, Orbitz and other channels, the Temple Gate Hotel realized tremendous reservation volume over a very short span of time.

For the period running January 1, 2003 to September 30, 2003 Internet reservations accounted for a staggering 72% of the overall bookings the Temple Gate Hotel received from VIP International. Of that, reservations made through the hotel�s proprietary website translated into 74% of the total bookings generated from the Internet.  In addition, reservations yielded from Pegasus-powered sites accounted for 11% of the total reservations processed by VIP for this hotel, while 8% of the hotel�s VIP reservations for the period came from GDS powered Internet sites.  

About VIP International Corporation

VIP International (www.vipintcorp.com) is a channel marketing organization that drives revenue for hoteliers, car rental owners and airlines through a multi-channel reservation sales center, the adoption of leading-edge technology, and partnerships with clients to provide ongoing education.

Founded in 1979, the now privately held Calgary, Alberta-based firm pursues a mission of being �the number one producer of bookings per client.� This is accomplished through mastering the electronic channel marketing environment and providing a central point of distribution to every viable Internet web site and to all of the major Global Distribution Systems including SABRE, Galileo, Amadeus, and Worldspan. 

###


Contact:

VIP International Corporation
Mr. Rick Shaum
Vice President Sales and Marketing
VIP International Corp.
(403) 269-3566
[email protected]
http://www.vipintcorp.com

# # #



 
Also See Luxury Collection of Properties Grows 25 to 60% Repeat Guest Factor, Builds ADR to Pre-9/11 Levels with Channel Marketing Strategy / October 2003
150% Growth at Top Channel Marketing Provider Spurs Creation of VP-Strategic Development Post to Drive Industry Partnerships / October 2003
VIP International Boosts Hotel Reservation Services, Selects Voxify to Reduce Costs for Clients, Enhance Call Center Efficiency / October 2003
#1 Provider of Car Rental Software Teams with VIP International to Fuel Independents� Reservation Volume / October 2003
Business Travelers, Consumers Grab Lower Rental Car Rates, Book Online from Independent Agency Site / September 2003
E-Z Rent A Car Perfects Internet Strategy to Boost Reservations 20% in 2003 / September 2003
WorldRes Agreement Gives VIP International Hotels Second �Low-Fee� Merchant Model Program / Aug 2003
Top Channel Marketing Provider VIP International Taps Industry Veteran to Power Marketing Efforts, Funnel 158% Growth  / Aug 2003
VIP International Cements Reputation as Leading GDS and Channel Marketing Provider for Asia Pacific / Aug 2003
Hotel Owner/Operators Disclose Secrets of Web Booking Success / June 2003
Dave Crawford Appointed Director of Airline and Auto Rental Business Development for VIP International / June 2003
Hotel Company Sharpens Channel Management for 22% Increase in Average Length of Stay for GDS Bookings, 14% Jump in ADR / June 2003
Interstate Hotels, Candlewood Suites, Regal Hotels, Canadian North Airlines Shift Call Center Responsibility to VIP: Interstate To Pass Along 8% to 10% Savings to Properties; Regal Hotels up 26% / May 2003
Zero Transaction Fees: Independent Hotels, Chains Profit from Landmark Agreement; Manage Discounted Rooms Through Central Res Systems at No Cost / May 2003
Interstate Hotels & Resorts Signs Five-Year Agreement with VIP International to Outsource Call Center; Expects to Pass Along 8 Percent to 10 Percent Savings, Increased Revenue to Hotels / April 2003
Hong Kong�s Largest Hotel Operator Sees Reservation Numbers Jump 26 Percent In First 10 Months of 2002, Increases Global Presence with New Reservation Sales Provider / February 2003
Canadian North Chooses Calgary-based VIP International to Provide Voice Reservation and Support services / January 2003
Midwestern Chain Targets Value-Conscious Senior Market; Picks New Channel Marketing Provider to Power Goal of 100% Increase in Bookings / January 2003
Midwestern Management Firm Gains 69% Increase in GDS Reservations YTD at 12 �Enhanced Limited-Service� Properties / Dec 2002
Texas-Based Hotel Chain Captures 104% More GDS Reservations YTD, Speeds Ahead of Economy / Dec 2002
Four Star Calgary Hotel Reports 42% Increase in Bookings During Initial Period With New Channel Marketing Provider / Nov 2002

To search Hotel Online data base of News and Trends Go to Hotel.Online Search

Home | Welcome! | Hospitality News | Classifieds | Catalogs & Pricing | Viewpoint Forum | Ideas/Trends
Please contact Hotel.Onlinewith your comments and suggestions.