Hilton International and Expedia Announce Global Distribution Agreement
Hilton International Joins Expedia's Preferred Hotel Program, Giving Its Properties Enhanced Access
LONDON, UK, September 27, 2005. Hilton International (HI) today announced a global agreement with Expedia that allows HI to add over 400 of its properties to Expedia's preferred hotel programme. In addition to bringing in-depth content about HI hotels to more than 70 million online shoppers per month worldwide visiting Expedia's numerous points of sale - including Expedia.com, Hotels.com and Hotwire.com - the hotel programme also provides partners a broad range of promotional and merchandising opportunities.
Hilton International (HI) is an operating division of the UK based Hilton Group plc, and owns the rights to the Hilton brand name throughout the world, with the exception of the United States.
Announcing the new contract terms, Jurgen Fischer, President Commercial Operations, Hilton International, confirmed the deal. "Hilton is pleased to join forces with Expedia in a manner that supports Hilton and Expedia's mutual commitment to customers. We are very pleased to count Expedia amongst our privileged distribution partners so that shoppers on their sites will have access to in-depth content about Hilton International properties. Expedia is able to deliver tremendous value to Hilton International to help us effectively market our properties."
"By working with great brands such as Hilton International, Expedia is able to provide consumers a great selection of high quality hotel options to the more than 70 million online shoppers per month worldwide that come to our sites every month to plan and book their trip," noted Paul Brown, president of Expedia's Partner Services Group. "We welcome Hilton International as a partner and look forward to a great relationship."
As part of the agreement, Hilton International is implementing a direct connection with Expedia. Built on the Open Travel Alliance (OTA) standard, Expedia's direct connect technology reduces the cost of each transaction booked through Expedia. The technology also makes it more efficient and cost-effective for hotels to manage inventory and rates available on Expedia through HI's central reservations system.
The agreement is effective immediately, and both teams intend to start working to implement the deal as a matter of priority.
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 
