TORONTO, CANADA, August 10, 2005 � VFM Interactive announced today
that Worldspan will enhance its content for travel agencies and eCommerce
sites by adding VFM�s distribution feed of still images and rich media
for thousands of hotel properties. Worldspan becomes VFM�s first global
distribution system (GDS) distribution partner, adding to a network of
thousands of travel sites and signaling an important development in what
is already the largest and fastest-growing online media distribution network
in the travel industry.
�Using VFM, we�ll be able to provide our agency partners with a powerful
source of visual marketing material supporting our hotel partners,� says
Ninan Chacko, senior vice president of eCommerce and product planning for
Worldspan. �They�ll be able to provide content such as videos or virtual
tours to their clients directly from Trip Manager XE and, in the future,
from the agency�s desktop tools, enabling agents to provide superior value
to their customers.�
The Worldspan-VFM partnership will be first brought to life in an update
to Trip Manager XE, which Worldspan is previewing at the NBTA conference
in San Diego, August 14th to 17th. Trip Manager XE is marketed through
Worldspan�s travel agency partners and allows business travelers to self-book
their travel directly. As a result of the VFM-Worldspan partnership, Trip
Manager XE users will get to see and experience amenities and features
of the hotel properties through the integration of VFM�s pictures, videos
and virtual tours.
Worldspan is also planning to integrate VFM�s rich media into its other
tools available to travel agency and eCommerce sites.
� Worldspan is already recognized as the leader in airline fares and
pricing and eCommerce distribution technology,� continued Chacko, �By partnering
with VFM, we are continuing to be on the forefront of providing value-added
services and content to our customers.�
VFM sees Worldspan�s decision as an innovative move that may well be
followed by others. �The internet has changed the playing field, affecting
how travel is sold both online and offline, �says Paolo Boni, CEO and President
of VFM. �We�re delighted that Worldspan has taken a leadership role
in the GDS industry. No question, travel agents need to have at their fingertips
marketing material that is as good as, if not better, than consumers can
find themselves.�
Certainly, 2005 has become the tipping point for rich media as broadband
penetration now outnumbers dial-up access in American homes. Advertisers
are recognizing the growing consumer demand for video as technology allows
for near-instant load times, turning a computer screen practically into
a TV screen. According to a new study released by PricewaterhouseCoopers,
rich media spending will �climb from $36.7 billion 2005 to $54.2 billion
in 2009.� Quoted in AdAge, Peter Petrusky, PricewaterhouseCooper�s Director
of Advisory Services who provided expertise on the study�s internet section
explained, �People now expect speed and rich media online.�
Just as hotels have begun to embrace this thinking, Worldspan�s partnership
with VFM indicates other important players in travel are as well.
About VFM Interactive
VFM
Interactive is the leading distributor and producer of rich media content
for the lodging and travel industry. Operating the largest and fastest-growing
distribution network, VFM enables hotels to maximize their presence online
using the power of rich media on more than 5,000 travel and travel-related
sites where consumers are researching and purchasing travel products. In
addition to sites such as Travelocity, Orbitz, Priceline and TripAdvisor,
VFM�s distribution network also includes major search engines and will
shortly include both meta-search and GDSs. VFM also produces a variety
of rich media marketing content including videos, 360° virtual tours
and Flash productions. VFM�s clients include over 3,000 hotels and resorts
from brands and management companies such as Best Western, Choice, Crowne
Plaza, Hilton, Holiday Inn, Interstate, Marriott, MGM, Outrigger, Radisson,
Regent, Sheraton, W, Westin, and Wyndham properties. .
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