Back from ITB which was as hectic and exciting as ever. And of course the best work out in ages for desk bound characters like me from halls 9 to 25….the only thing which did let it down was the transport strike, but even that was addressed relatively well. The travellers who ventured into the S-bahns were rewarded. After my experience with the buses on Day 1, decided to stick to S-bahns and taxis where available. And now to finish of what I started with a a comparison of the SMD’s!

On the distribution side offerings of the SMD’s, it is clear that this where they make a very powerful impact. And for the independent hotelier, this is where one gets their money’s worth. However a careful study of the most suitable offering will make it a win-win situation.

Here is a selection of what the companies have to say about their distribution services.

UTELL

• Strategic business relationships with important online travel providers including Expedia, Opodo and Travelocity, giving access to multiple markets
• Actively promoted consumer websites

DESIGN

• Revenue & Distribution Services
• Global Distribution System
• Internet Distribution System
• Third Party Internet
• Booking EnginePlatform

SUPRANATIONAL

• GDS (Global Distribution System)
• Electronic Marketing targeting GDS (Global Distribution System)and Web Partners.
  4 GDS partners: Sabre, Galileo, Worldspan and Amadeus.
• Daily submission of news/promotions on all GDS ‘free’ marketing screens
• Tailor made Web Booking Engine for groups and individual hotels.
• Next Generation Seamless online availability and reservation facility to all GDS distributors - 600,000 terminals world wide.
• Next Generation Seamless connectivity to leading travel portals via ODD (Online Distribution Database) and ADS (Alternate Distribution System).

WORLD HOTELS

• Global web based CRS TRUST Voyager and Reporting tool TRUST View
• Seamless Next Generation connectivity to all major Global Distribution Systems
  Master Chain Code EW – Exclusive to WORLDHOTELS
• Direct connections to more than 600,000 travel agent terminals worldwide and own dedicated web portal for Travel Agents, WORLDHOTELS.beconnected
• Advanced IDS (Internet Distribution Systems) connections and web booking engine connections to internet portals and distribution partners Specialist services in E-Commerce, Technology and Online Distribution
• Worldwide toll free voice reservation service in 3 Global Communication Centres with over 40 phone numbers
• Own online Booking Engine WORLDHOTELS.booker in 10 languages

GREAT HOTELS OF THE WORLD

• Member hotels on the various GDS and internet distribution channels under own private label chain code: GW.
• Optimal seamless connectivity to the major Global Distribution Systems: Amadeus, Galileo, Sabre and Worldspan, which are used by over 600,000 travel agents globally
• Each hotel will also be displayed on leading internet sites such as Travelocity and Expedia as well as many thousands of sites offering travel and hotel booking services.
• Internet-based CRS providing hotels the ability to enter and control all information about the hotel including availability, rates and descriptions with simple web access alone.
• The Great Hotels of the World reservation system can also be used to power your hotel’s own website booking engine.

RELAIS & CHATEAUX

• Website in 4 languages, 300,000 unique visitors per month, allows online reservation of Relais & Châteaux hotels and restaurants
• Call centres and general sales agents world-wide: France, Italy, Spain, USA, Australia, Argentina/Chile, Japan, Russia.
• The main GDS: Amadeus, Sabre, Worldspan and Apollo/Galileo.
• Online reservation, on http://www.relaischateaux.com/ and on the individual website of the property.

A decision on which company to go with depends on so many factors and a clear idea of the hotels strengths and weaknesses would be the right point to start.