Hotel Online  Special Report
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 Leonardo Launches WebGallery - A New Concept
for Enhancing Web-based Marketing
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Companies clamouring for �richer� online images now have them, thanks to new
technique that takes still images and converts them to eye-catching,
daily-updateable visuals

NEW YORK � MAY 9, 2006 � Leonardo, an international leader in providing online content management and distribution solutions, has responded to customer demand for more active and �rich media content� that can greatly enhance a hotel�s or hotel company�s Web-based marketing profile. The company has developed WebGallery, a new online marketing solution that is based on technology that can transform still images into an eye-catching, animated sales and marketing tool.

WebGallery will launch next month and be available to all travel/distribution channels. In addition, WebGallery will be obtainable through current SCD (smart caching delivery) and as a point of difference from other rich multi-media - is auto-updated on daily basis. 

�All of the travel channels are embracing rich media content � moving images, 360�s and videos, that provide the customer with an enhanced online viewing experience.  WebGallery has therefore been developed to fill the need for critical mass,� said David Elton, Leonardo�s Chief Executive Officer. �The WebGallery concept uses flash technology and custom business logic to animate static images that can be displayed as a branded pop-up or can be integrated in a Web page so this enables a hotel to quickly transform the way it appears on the web without expensive investment in new multi media.

�Leonardo will make available over 100,000 high quality moving images from approximately 20,000 hotels to travel distributors,� he added  �The bonus for the channels implementing this solution is that no development is required of them, yet they stand to benefit from the richer online multimedia messages WebGallery will provide.�

Supporting Research

There is a great deal of evidence to support why travel channels need to have the best looking visuals managed, maintained and delivered to their sites.  In various studies and surveys, research reveals that:

  • Nearly 80 percent of online travel is decided by online travel-channel searching (source: Jupiter Research)
  • Leisure travellers visit four to seven Web sites when researching hotels (source DoubleClick)
  • Rich media generates four to five times more CTR - click-through-rate (source Double Click)
�Clearly there is a need for more rich media content online with the Internet becoming the most influential consumer tool for making hotel and travel decisions, both corporate and leisure,� Elton said. �WebGallery meets this need � it is a simple and smart online marketing concept that provides a win-win scenario for all parties involved.� 

Following are value-point features offered by Leonardo�s WebGallery:

  • Critical mass � over 100,000 animated web images 
  • Embellishes current product offering
  • Travel channels may choose when and when not to use WebGallery (i.e., they can determine usage by market, tactical offering, hotel-groups� access)�and will have access to all content
  • No development required on travel channels� part
  • No additional solicitation or procurement of different content from hotels
  • Unlike other 360 and video multimedia, WebGallery is auto-updated as hotels add fresh content
For more information on Leonardo�s WebGallery and the benefits it offers, please contact your local Leonardo office � details below

About Leonardo Media

Leonardo is the world leader in travel content management, e-marketing and content distribution across the global travel chain. Its online solutions are designed to simplify the management of rich content and the automation of distribution to the GDS, travel channels and their travel partners.  For all travel partners, Leonardo services provide the largest 'one stop' aggregated source of digital content for hotels, destinations and attractions in the travel industry. 

Leonardo works with more than 60,000 hotels, including many prominent global hotel chains such as Intercontinental Hotels and Resorts, Carlson Worldwide, Worldhotels, Raffles/Swissotel, Rosewood, Jumeirah  Preferred Hotel Group, Kersner International, Small Luxury Hotels, Leading Hotels of the World, Le Meridien, Nikko, Peninsula, Starwood, Resort Quest,  Luxe, and Destination Hotels and Resorts. Leonardo also works with more than 80 Tourist Boards, including Singapore, Portugal, The Hague, and Antigua and Barbuda. Its major travel channel partners include Amadeus, Galileo, Sabre, Worldspan, Pegasus, WizCom, Worldres along with Lodging.com, Cheaptickets, Yahoo!, Opodo, Vista, Planetgo, Aergo, Widderoe, and NorthStar Travel Media.

For more information, visit www.Leonardo.com.

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Contact:

USA (New York)
[email protected]
T: +1 212 420 1555 

Europe (London)
[email protected]
T: +44 (0)20 7717 8436 

Asia (Singapore)
[email protected]
T: +65 6734 2342

Barbara Worcester
President
PRPRO Tel: (440) 930-5770
[email protected]

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