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Utell® Hotels & Resorts Signs Up Hundreds of New Members in 2009
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Around the Globe, 471 Hotels from
65 Countries Have Selected Utell
Since the Beginning of the Year
LONDON (June 23, 2009) � Utell® Hotels & Resorts has seen a substantial rise in the number of independent hotels and small independent group hotels seeking out and subscribing to its hotel representation services since the start of 2009. Through to the end of May, more than 150 hotels have chosen to sign up for full service membership. This enables hotels to capitalize on Utell�s unrivaled expertise in global marketing, sales and distribution services with valuable benefits that include Utell�s strength of partnerships and programs in the agency, TMC (travel management companies) and corporate markets. Utell�s representation and distribution also makes hotels available on the GDSs under Utell�s UI code, through Utell�s global call center network and the dedicated agent site UtellAgent.com. In addition, over 320 hotels have joined the Utell Connect service, which offers independent hotels and small groups a representation solution, allowing them to outsource electronic distribution and connectivity needs (under the Utell Connect brand and UZ chain code), while handling their own marketing and sales activities. This service was formerly known as Unirez and recently rebranded to clearly demonstrate its prominence as part of the Utell family. Utell�s new member hotels cover a worldwide geographic spread across each continent in categories ranging from value to superior and luxury. To date, the top ten countries with hotels contributing to Utell�s recent sizeable portfolio growth are: Germany, Italy, United States, India, Thailand, China, Japan, Ukraine, Russia and Turkey. Overall, Europe and the United States remain the strongest regions for full UI membership growth. The U.K. and Italy together accounted for 33 new hotels, and the U.S. saw a healthy addition of 27 new full UI hotels. These new members include renowned properties such as The Roosevelt in New York, and Soho House New York, which join the ranks of four Helmsley Hotels in the city, including the Helmsley New York. Asia Pacific has also realized a healthy boost this year across both Utell and Utell Connect services, a testament to Utell�s strong local presence worldwide, which now includes 18 offices in 11 countries. Ric Leutwyler, president of Utell and CMO of Pegasus Solutions said, �We are delighted to welcome a whole host of new international member hotels, demonstrating Utell�s far-reaching global presence. The recent turmoil in the worldwide economy has led many hotels to reassess their sales, marketing and distribution strategies, and has encouraged a renewed focus on targeted tactics for generating their fair share of revenue from the global hospitality market. Utell is committed to helping our member hotels achieve this. By offering flexible, user-friendly technology and revenue management tools that hotels can mix and match according to their core requirements, Utell is delivering results during both difficult and good times.� As the world�s largest third-party hotel sales, marketing and representation service, Utell represents more than 11,000 properties in over 130 countries, enabling independent and small group hotels to compete globally by reaching business and leisure customers through travel agents, corporations, marketing and distribution channels. Utell continues to build its brand internationally with notable additions, including the following in 2009: Soho House, New York (GDS code: UI) � Located at the forefront of the buzzing Meatpacking District, a shopping, dining and nightlife Mecca, the waiting list for a membership to Soho House New York is long, but hotel guests are members for the duration of their stay, with access to all the Club has to offer. Soho House is the epitome of urban sophistication. The interior design resembles New York loft apartments, with hardwood floors, brick walls, exposed ceiling beams and Swarovski chandeliers. And here, membership, however temporary, has its privileges, including 24-hour butler service, the Cowshed Spa and a rooftop pool with views of the Hudson River and the West Village.In 2009, Utell has continued to expand its service offering, in line with industry needs and requirements, to ensure hotels are receiving access to market-leading services and technology. This year, the launch of MarketVision offers hotels a comprehensive competitive intelligence tool to track and monitor a property�s market demand trends for historic and future performance evaluation, and planning relative to key competitors. In addition, a new partnership with Milestone Internet Marketing offers Utell member hotels a chance to benefit from award-winning, revenue-driving Internet marketing services. These services, in addition to Utell�s core offering, are more important than ever in providing properties with a leading edge in the marketplace. As part of Utell�s ongoing growth and business development strategy for hotels, the company remains committed to bringing its members numerous opportunities to provide them with ultimate competitive advantage. Editor�s Note: Utell Hotels & Resorts sources are available for interviews at HITEC Booth #1054, and at twitter.com/pegexec About Utell® Hotels & Resorts
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Contact:
Ariel Herr for Utell
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