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The Owners� Association of InterContinental Hotels Group Supports IHG�s Move to Deal Only with Certified
Third Party Online Distributors

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ATLANTA � (August 20, 2004)� The Owners� Association of InterContinental Hotels Group (the IAHI) today announces its full support of IHG�s recent certification of Travelocity and Travelocity Business as third party distributors of the company�s more than 3,500 hotels worldwide.  The Association also expresses its support of IHG�s move to deal only with certified third party intermediaries. 

In May, IHG adopted a new standard for selling or re-selling hotel room inventory via online travel companies.  The standard states that IHG will work only with distributors and their affiliates that agree to display all available room inventory, ensure reservations are guaranteed through an automated and common confirmation process, respect IHG�s trademarks and not engage in confusing and potentially unclear marketing practices.

The binding standard also means that room inventory at all IHG brand properties will not be accessible to distributors that are not certified. IHG�s certification of Travelocity and the announcement of discontinuing relationships with Expedia and Hotels.com are the company�s latest moves to enforce this standard.

�We applaud the leadership position InterContinental Hotels Group has taken on this issue, and our franchisee community shares the company�s commitment to protecting consumers and our guests,� said Leroy Lail, chairman of the IAHI.  �We have worked alongside IHG to develop a standard for selling or re-selling hotel room inventory through online travel companies.  As owners and operators of IHG branded hotels, we have a vested interest in protecting the integrity of the company�s brands. 

�And, because the billions of dollars in hotel assets owned by our membership includes other brands as well, we view this initiative as a very positive move for the entire industry,� Lail added. �We are particularly grateful for the efforts of the IAHI E-Commerce Committee and the representatives of IHG�s largest franchise companies. Both groups have given generously of their time and expertise to support the IAHI and IHG as we worked together to create a standard that is in the best interest of consumers, the brands, and hotel operators.� 

�IHG has a unique and strong bond with our franchisees, and their unwavering support of our position on the issue of online travel distribution clearly shows that we share the same values and desire to protect the integrity of our brands,� said Tom Seddon, senior vice president, Americas Brand Performance for InterContinental Hotels Group.

About the IAHI:

IAHI members own and operate InterContinental Hotels Group brand hotels worldwide, including Holiday Inn? Hotels and Resorts, Crowne Plaza? Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express?, Holiday Inn SunSpree Resorts, Holiday Inn Select, Staybridge Suites? and Candlewood Suites? hotels. Established in 1955, the IAHI was the first association of owners in the hotel industry, and today comprises nearly 2,500 members in the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Canada, Mexico and Latin America. 

The IAHI represents its membership in working together with InterContinental Hotels Group for the purpose of maintaining the highest professional hospitality standards for its brands. 

   

 
Contact:
Ann Wilson
IAHI
(770) 455-4804
  [email protected]
www.iahi.org
Also See: InterContinental Hotels Group Certifies Travelocity, Discontinues Relationship with Expedia and Hotels.com / August 2004


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