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E-commerce and Distribution Infrastructure and the Resources to Deliver E-initiatives |
| SINGAPORE � 19 March 2007: Pan Pacific Hotels and Resorts today launched
its enhanced website (panpacific.com),
which will make travel planning faster, easier and more convenient for
its customers, resulting in stronger brand loyalty and value. In the past
12 months, Pan Pacific has invested close to US$1 million in e-commerce
and distribution infrastructure and resources to deliver e-initiatives
including this technologically advanced online platform for the benefit
of its customers.
Analysts have forecasted that hotel online reservations will reach US$15 billion, an increase from 7% to 16% by 2007. This bodes well for Pan Pacific as the website enhancement will help capture a bigger share of brand direct online booking, potentially increasing its year on year growth for this distribution channel. The group achieved a 35% year-on-year growth for its brand direct online booking in 2006. �The new panpacific.com is a reflection of our commitment to our customers and a response to their needs. The user-friendly website will greatly improve the customer�s online experience as that supports their expectations of continued high quality service from the Pan Pacific brand. Visitors to the enhanced website will appreciate better functionalities and navigation and a more refreshing and contemporary look and feel. Overall, they will enjoy a more pleasurable online experience,� states Kevin Croley, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Pan Pacific Hotels and Resorts. The website was redeveloped over a period of nine months following detailed research into customer needs and preferences. Guests logging on to panpacific.com can choose their language of choice, be it English or Japanese, to browse and book Pan Pacific hotels and can enjoy the following:
The enhanced website is part of the Group�s e-commerce strategy in developing
a robust and scalable system with improved online marketing, reservations
and CRM capabilities. The website follows the successful launch of its
online Best Rate Guarantee policy and eDirect by Pan Pacific, which have
received positive customer feedback. The new website is also part of Pan
Pacific�s new distribution system ensuring that all channels are integrated
on a single platform for efficiency in the reservation process and allowing
customers to have access to real time information on room availability.
 �We have leveraged cutting-edge technology to lay the foundation for increase in customer engagement including a more dynamic reward and recognition programme. In the next phase, customers can look forward to more interactive functionalities on the website to facilitate their hotel reservation and to create a more personalised experience. e-commerce will remain a priority for us as we continue to roll out new e-initiatives to empower our customers,� added Croley. About Pan Pacific Hotels and Resorts Pan Pacific Hotels and Resorts currently encompasses 19 hotels (14 managed properties and five marketing affiliates) in 11 countries throughout Asia, the Pacific and North America. Tokyu Group Our parent company, Tokyu Group of companies, is a multi-billion dollar organisation established in 1922 and with its headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. Domestically, Tokyu Group operates the largest hotel chain in Japan, Tokyu Hotels and Tokyu Inns, with 59 hotels amounting to some 15,000 rooms! In 1972, Tokyu Group formed an overseas hotel management company named Tokyu Hotels International, Inc. (THI) to manage its Asia Pacific properties. It opened its first hotel, the Sari Pacific in Jakarta, Indonesia in 1976. Later, a second hotel management firm, Emerald Management Company (EMC), was formed in Honolulu, Hawaii to co-ordinate development in the United States. In 1989, Tokyu Group consolidated the operations of these two overseas companies (THI and EMC) under the trading name of Pan Pacific Hotels and Resorts. In June 1995, Pan Pacific Hotels and Resorts Pte Ltd was incorporated in Singapore to coincide with the relocation of the corporate headquarters from the United States to Singapore. |
| Contact:
Brenda Tan
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