gCommerce and GenaRes Worldwide Sign Contract
MAY 30, 2007. GenaRes Worldwide Reservation ServicesSM Ltd., the hotel industry's newest and fastest growing global representation and reservations company, and gCommerce Solutions, a unique eMarketing firm specializing in the hospitality industry, today announced that they signed an Internet management contract with the Carlton Hotel in New York City. During the first 120 days of the contract, the hotel experienced an increase of 57 percent in consumed electronic revenue from the hotel's global distribution system, third party travel and Web site, including a 78 percent increase in consumed Web site revenue, over the same period 2006.
"Having just left a major brand affiliation, we were concerned that we would see a large drop in bookings due to lack of Internet production," said Dan Bergman, hotel general manager. "With just 10 days notice, GenaRes and gCommerce transitioned all Web-based systems without incident, implemented a new rate strategy and installed a new booking engine onto the Web site. This provided potential and returning guests with the ability to find and book the hotel through the major Internet sources. As a result of these strategies, the Carlton has enjoyed significant growth in RevPAR year-over-year of 18 percent, outpacing the growth of our competitive set during the same time, which only achieved 10 percent growth."
GenaRes provides the hotel with second generation seamless connectivity to a global distribution system (GDS) and access to more than 600,000 travel agents using SABRE, Apollo, Worldspan, Amadeus, and Pegasus (ODD). In addition, GenaRes furnishes a proprietary booking engine that interfaces with the hotel's Web site. The GenaRes service utilizes true ASP technology designed and built by GenaRes, eliminating third-party reliance, to enhance and support the hotel's reservation and marketing programs while interfacing directly to the hotel's property management systems (PMS).
"Our proprietary platform ensures that independent, boutique hotels have the tools necessary to build their electronic revenue," said Eugene Harris, president. "We take pride in this quickly implemented process and are delighted to have been able to help produce such a substantial increase to the hotel's bottom line in such a short period of time."
Additionally, gCommerce is responsible for the brand's electronic and interactive presence marketing, including its Web site, www.carltonhotelny.com, and relationships with on-line travel agents, such as Expedia. In addition, the company created specific marketing programs, such as Google AdWords and event-based marketing.
"We hit the ground running and the results really speak for themselves," said Scott van Hartesvelt, gCommerce president. "The combination of targeted messaging, a proactive search engine marketing strategy and a robust revenue-management program really drove results at the Carlton."
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
