Hotel Online  Special Report
.



. `Tween `Twee
.n
TravelCLICK Acquires Blue Square Studios,
Bringing Groundbreaking Internet Marketing Technology to Hotels
.
Creates Industry�s Leading Web Presence Management and Merchandising Platform
.
CHICAGO (June 22, 2007) � TravelCLICK Inc., the leader in hotel emarketing solutions, today announced the acquisition of Blue Square Studios, an award-winning provider of Internet business solutions � including web design, production and search engine optimization (SEO) � for the hospitality industry. The acquisition creates an unrivaled platform for hoteliers, combining the superior property merchandising and distribution technology of TravelCLICK�s iHotelier central reservation system (CRS) with the industry-leading web presence management technology of Blue Square Studios. This groundbreaking combination will provide hoteliers with capabilities not available to date in the hospitality industry.

Phoenix-based Blue Square Studios pioneered dynamic website management with a unique web presence management system known as the Hospitality Toolkit® and combined it with award-winning design and SEO to create superior hotel websites. Together with TravelCLICK�s iHotelier CRS and full portfolio of Internet marketing solutions, including pay-per-click advertising and real-time ROI reporting, the acquisition delivers a revolutionary Internet marketing platform to the hotel industry from a single provider.

�This acquisition represents a paradigm shift for the industry,� said Robert Post, President and Chief Executive Officer at TravelCLICK. �Online hotel merchandising is not just about design anymore. It�s about smart technology that can tightly integrate the hotel website and the reservation application to optimize the consumer experience and generate maximum revenue performance for the hotel. We have worked with Blue Square Studios for more than a year and have created a repeatable and scaleable Internet marketing platform � one that enables hotels to take control of their own websites to cost effectively and dynamically manage their website content. Our integration of the Hospitality Toolkit with the iHotelier CRS provides a powerful merchandising solution that has already delivered superior results for such leading properties as ARAMARK Harrison Lodging, Classic Resorts, and The Palms South Beach.�

Blue Square�s browser-based Hospitality Toolkit 2.2 enables hotels to update their websites instantly and as often as they like with intuitive site management tools that refresh web content with user-friendly step-by-step processes. The toolkit manages and delivers rich media content and integrates software modules to support dining reservations, guest requests, restaurant menus, packages and specials, photo gallery, spa treatments and more. The ability for hotel staff to execute real-time updates also provides hotels with a unique crisis communications tool for weather emergencies and other time-sensitive communications needs.

�We have used Blue Square�s Hospitality Toolkit, along with TravelCLICK�s iStay booking engine, for several months now with amazing results,� said Sarah Murov of The Palms South Beach in Miami Beach, FL. �We are constantly refreshing our offers, our photo gallery, and our restaurant and bar menus, plus providing third-party content feeds, such as a five-day weather forecast. This combination of leading-edge technologies has allowed us to take hotel merchandising to a new level, with higher conversions and an enhanced online guest experience. There�s nothing like it in the hospitality industry.�

�It is a natural fit for us to join TravelCLICK,� said Shane Ettestad, former President and Chief Executive Officer at Blue Square Studios, now Vice President of Internet Marketing Solutions at TravelCLICK. �The integration of the Hospitality Toolkit with an award-winning single-screen booking engine not only enables hotels to deliver the most dynamic shopping and booking experience in the industry, but also allows them to target and convert online shoppers more effectively and gain a huge competitive advantage. This is the next evolution in Internet marketing and web content management.�

Sign up to receive TravelCLICK news by email or through RSS distribution at http://travelclick.mediaroom.com/.

About TravelCLICK, Inc.

TravelCLICK (www.travelclick.net) is the leading provider of emarketing solutions that help hotels sell rooms smarter and drive long-term profitability. TravelCLICK helps hotels maximize asset ROI by combining innovative market analysis and proven industry best practices with advanced technology to develop and implement high-return strategies. The company offers a full set of solutions including reservations and distribution management, market intelligence-based decision support, and marketing services. Serving the hospitality industry since 1996 and headquartered in the Chicago area, TravelCLICK has more than 12,000 customers in 140 countries.

.
Contact:

TravelCLICK
Katrina Pruitt-Andrews 
410.257.9154 
[email protected]
 

.
.
 
Also See: TravelCLICK Ranks #33 On Crain�s Fast Fifty List For Chicago Area / June 2007
Award-Winning Arizona Inn Selects TravelCLICK for Comprehensive Suite of Property Merchandising Solutions; Luxury Resort Implements iHotelier CRS, Market Intelligence and Digital Marketing Services / May 2007
Shula's Hotel Scores with Switch to TravelCLICK For Comprehensive Property Merchandising Solution; Florida Property Using iHotelier CRS, Market Intelligence, Travel Agent Media / May 2007
Worldwide Electronic Hotel Revenue Up 19.3 Percent in Q4 2006; TravelCLICK�s eMonitor Reports Annual Growth for Room Nights at 8.4 Percent, ADR at 7.4 Percent / April 2007
Major Chains Report Hotel Bookings Up More Than 8 Percent in 2006; TravelCLICK�s eTRAK Reports Double-Digit Internet Increases and Steady GDS Growth / April 2007
TravelCLICK Selected by Dover Downs Hotel & Casino For Complete Property Merchandising Solution / April 2007
TravelCLICK's iStay Booking Engine Again Named Best Web Interactive Application for Hotel and Lodging Industry; Innovative Merchandising Platform Wins Prestigious Web Marketing Association Award / March 2007
TravelCLICK Selected by Exel Inns of America For Comprehensive Central Reservation System Solution; Regional Chain Switches to iHotelier CRS at 22 Properties Across Six States / March 2007
TravelCLICK Introduces First Graphical Ads Influencing Travel Agents at GDS Point of Sale; Graphical PromoSpots Combine Powerful, Targeted GDS Search With Rich Graphical Content to Drive Higher GDS Conversion, Increase Agent Bookings / March 2007
TravelCLICK Selected by Austria Hotels International For GDS Connectivity, Market Intelligence; Boutique Hotel Group Grows Share Using iHotelier CRS, Rate Shopping, Travel Agent Advertising / March 2007
The Bowery Hotel in New York Selects TravelCLICK For Robust Central Reservations Solution; BD Hotels' Newest Property Implements iHotelier CRS to Build Brand Identity Online, Drive Reservations / February 2007
Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club Drops Brand Flag, Creates Own Brand with TravelCLICK; Premier Florida Destination Resort Selects iHotelier CRS for Website, GDS Connectivity / February 2007
TravelCLICK Converts Mobil Five-Star, AAA Five Diamond Woodlands Resort & Inn to iHotelier CRS; Premier Luxury Hotel Selects TravelCLICK to Build Brand Identity and Drive Reservations / January 2007
Hotel Pennsylvania Named 2006 eMarketer of the Year by TravelCLICK and HSMAI; New York City Landmark Hotel Recognized at 50th Annual Adrian Awards Gala / January 2007
TravelCLICK Selected by Colonial Williamsburg For Integrated Distribution and Marketing Solution; World's Largest Living Museum Implements iHotelier CRS, Market Intelligence / January 2007
More Hotels Switch to iHotelier by TravelCLICK For Reliability and Brand-Building Capability; Award-Winning Merchandising Capabilities and Ease of Migration Also Cited by Customers / January 2007
Spain-Based Núñez i Navarro Hotels Builds Brand Identity With iHotelier CRS by TravelCLICK; Innovative Operator Uses Flash-Based Web Booking Engine for Nine Barcelona Properties / December 2006
Worldwide Electronic Hotel Revenue Up 14.7 Percent in Q3 2006; TravelCLICK eMonitor Shows Increases in Both ADR and Room Nights Booked / December 2006
TravelCLICK Helps Move Broughton Hospitality Group Ahead of the Competition; Boutique Hospitality Management Company Uses iHotelier CRS, Market Intelligence To Build Brand Value Across Properties / December 2006
Major Chains Report Continued Double-Digit Internet Growth With 25 Percent Increase in Q3; GDS Continues Steady Source of CRO Bookings at 35 Percent / December 2006
Sacher Hotels to Build Brand with Integrated Distribution and Marketing from TravelCLICK; World-Famous Austrian Hotels Leave Major Representation Firm to Create Own Identity With the iHotelier Solution / November 2006
TravelCLICK Continues Global Expansion, Opens Regional Office in United Arab Emirates; New Dubai Location Will Serve Growing / November 2006
TravelCLICK, VFM Interactive Sign Exclusive Agreement; Rich Digital Media Content Management Integrated with iStay Booking Engine Enhances Consumer Experience / October 2006
TravelCLICK and Discover the World Marketing Team To Deliver Enhanced Sales Representation for Hoteliers / October 2006
TravelCLICK Selected by Dedeman Hotels & Resorts International for Central Reservation System Solution / October 2006
The Award-Winning Lodge at Torrey Pines Leaves Major Brand, Selects TravelCLICK to Control Identity and Optimize Distribution / October 2006
Worldwide Electronic Hotel Revenue Up 13.7 Percent in Q2 2006; TravelCLICK eMonitor Indicates Healthy Industry Growth with Rise in Room Nights Booked and ADR / September 2006
Spain-based Silken Hotels Group Renews Distribution Partnership With TravelCLICK / September 2006
Spain-based AC Hotels Renews With TravelCLICK for iHotelier Web Booking Engine / September 2006
TravelCLICK Selected by The Hotel Windsor in Melbourne for Integrated Distribution and Marketing Solution; Total solution - featuring iHotelier advanced central reservations and web booking engine - provides revenue delivery platform / Augusts 2006
Aqua Hotels and Resorts Selects TravelCLICK for Integrated Hotel Distribution and Marketing Solution / July 2006
Boar�s Head Inn Selects TravelCLICK for Web Booking Engine and GDS Connectivity/ July 2006
Travelport and TravelCLICK Announce Restructured and Expanded Media and Business Intelligence Partnership / June 2006
TravelCLICK Introduces Powerful New Rate Recommendation Tool, RateADVISOR; Created in partnership with IDeaS, RateADVISOR is the industry's first rate recommendation tool within a rate shopping solution / June 2006
TravelCLICK Introduces iStay Booking Engine to Revolutionize How Hotel Guests Book Online; iStay gives shoppers control of the shopping experience and provides superior merchandising that drives incremental revenue / June 2006
TravelCLICK Announces Next-Generation Hotel Internet Advertising Capabilities; Interactive technology drives qualified demand, maximizing campaign performance through advanced keyword optimization with enhanced direct revenue tracking / June 2006
The West Paces Hotel Group Selects TravelCLICK�s Integrated Distribution Solution Featuring iHotelier Central Reservation System / June 2006
The Kahala Hotel and Resort Seeks the Power of an Integrated Distribution Solution from TravelCLICK; Legendary hideaway island resort selects iHotelier to drive greater web conversion / June 2006
Hampshire Hospitality & Leisure Selects TravelCLICK for Web Booking Engine and GDS Connectivity / May 2006
The House of Blues Hotel Turns to TravelCLICK iHotelier CRS for Fast Implementation and Impressive Results/ May 2006
First Quarter Worldwide Hotel Revenue Up 12.9% from Electronic Channels According to TravelCLICK /May 2006
TravelCLICK Reports Fourth Quarter Worldwide Hotel Revenue from Electronic Channels Up 10.9% / April 2006
TravelCLICK iHotelier Selected by Hotel Arena for Central Reservation System Solution / April 2006
Luxury Resort Achieves Dramatic Results with Integrated Distribution Solution from TravelCLICK; Case Study: Kapalua Villas Increases Website Bookings and Web ADR / April 2006
TravelCLICK iHotelier Selected by CHIP Hospitality for Central Reservation System Solution / April 2006
Web Marketing Association Awards TravelCLICK iHotelier Website Booking Engine with 2006 Best Interactive Application for Hotel and Lodging Industry / April 2006
Major Hotel Chains Grow Internet Reservations 26.8 Percent in 2005 / March 2006
TravelCLICK Names David Marshall Chief Architect; Industry Veteran to Advance TravelCLICK�s Hotel Revenue Delivery Platform / March 2006
The Ritz London Selects TravelCLICK iHotelier as Its Central Reservations System; Website Booking Revenues Up 44% / March 2006
TravelCLICK Showcases Integrated Distribution Solutions for Hotels at ITB Berlin; International Casinos and European Estates Alike Choose the iHotelier CRS / March 2006
Travelocity and TravelCLICK Collaborate to Provide Data for Rate Shopping Tool / February 2006
Shutters on the Beach and Hotel Casa del Mar Select TravelCLICK�s iHotelier CRS for Enhanced Website Booking Solution; Cutting-Edge Booking Engine Complements Website Branding, Increases Online Revenue and Enhances the Guest Experience for Luxury Independent Hotels / February 2006
Best Western International Partners With TravelCLICK; Hotel Chain Endorses TravelCLICK�s Hotel Solutions including Competitive Intelligence, Travel Agent Media and Preferred Placement Products / February 2006
TravelCLICK Launches International Call Center Supporting iHotelier CRS Customers Worldwide / January 2006
Ireland�s Carton House Selects TravelCLICK for Central Reservation System Solution / January 2006
TravelCLICK�s iHotelier Selected by The Island Hotel Newport Beach for Central Reservation System Solution / December 2005
TravelCLICK Distribution Management Solution Supports Multiple Pricing Layers Across Major Distribution Models / December 2005
Sabre Travel Network and TravelCLICK Launch Enhancement to Hotel Spotlight; New Precision Path Analytical Tool Now Available / November 2005
TravelCLICK Acquires Vantis International Corporation; Vantis Customers Gain a Full Range of Revenue-Building Reservations and Decision-Support Solutions / October 2005
TravelCLICK, Amadeus, Galileo, Sabre and Worldspan Join Efforts to Help Hurricane and Earthquake Victims / October 2005
TravelCLICK Announces Call For Entries for The 2005 E-Marketer of the Year Awards/ September 2005
TravelCLICK Names New CFO and CIO / September 2005
BTG-Jianguo Hotels and Resorts Selects TravelCLICK�s iHotelier Central Reservation System / August 2005
Wynn Las Vegas, Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau Select TravelCLICK�s iHotelier CRS Platform / June 2005
TravelCLICK Names Robert Post as President and Chief Executive Officer / May 2005
Accor North America Hotels Selects TravelCLICK�s ChannelManager / April 2005
Major Hotel Chains Grow Internet Reservations Over 22% in 2004; Brand Websites Increase Volume of Reservations Over 31% / April 2005 
Major Hotel Chains Grew Internet Reservations by 24% 2004 YTD; TravelCLICK Reports eTRAK Results from 30 Leading Brands / January 2005
TravelCLICK Expands Commitment to iHotelier / August 2004

.


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.Online with your comments and suggestions.