The non-profit hospitality groups, Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) and the Open Travel Alliance (OpenTravel) announced today that they are strengthening their existing partnership with multiple initiatives going forward. The agreement comes as HFTP closes its largest attended HITEC® (Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference) in Toronto this week. Both HFTP and OpenTravel will join together to conduct research on the international impact of standards on global travel, as well as other initiatives.

"Both HFTP and OpenTravel share common goals, which is to develop and provide resources that benefit and lead to the success of the hospitality industry," said Frank Wolfe, CEO for HFTP. "Joining together to combine each of our organization's strengths and specialties will bring forward momentum for the industry."

"We are excited to strengthen our alliance with HFTP, especially with their global footprint, to increase awareness, education and adoption globally of OpenTravel standards of interoperability across all aspects of travel to enable and enhance the consumer experience," said Mike Tinkey, CEO for OpenTravel.

In a demonstration of the two organization's partnership, OpenTravel will co-locate its OpenTravel Advisory Forum with the upcoming HFTP Annual Convention in Championsgate, Florida on October 25-27, 2017. The event will commemorate the HFTP 65th anniversary and offers a mix of education designed specifically for hospitality finance and technology professionals.

Previously, in February 2016, HFTP joined with OpenTravel to assist with its work on OPENTRAVEL's 2.0 Object Oriented Platform in the lifestyle development areas of golf and spa. HFTP provided assistance via its global network of members, its industry research centers, conferences and its global electronic distribution channels.