World's Leading Hotel Brands Guarantee Amadeus Best Available Rates
FEBRUARY, 10, 2006. Hotels regain control over rates and support high-yield travel agency channel and Amadeus offers most flexible cancellation policies
Madrid, 9 February, 2006 - Amadeus, a global leader in technology and distribution solutions for the travel and tourism industry, today announced that thirty-seven leading hotel brands have signed up to its Best Available Rate program. Participating hotels guarantee to supply Amadeus with rates that are the same or lower than those available through other distribution systems, branded websites or the hotel's own call center.
"Hotels are regaining control over their rates after the dark days of 2002 when they were forced to get rid of distressed inventory at rock-bottom prices. Since then, demand has returned and increasingly advanced Revenue Management technology has given hotels the leverage to direct their bookings through the higher-yield travel agency channel," explains Antoine Medawar, Managing Director, Amadeus Hospitality Business Group.
As well as securing the Best Available Rate, Amadeus hotel bookings offer more flexible cancellation policies than bookings made through hotel websites, online travel agencies or hotel wholesalers. In Amadeus, 76% of the available rooms can be cancelled up to 24 hours in advance without incurring a charge. This compares with 52% for hotel websites, 40% for online travel agencies and just 20% for online wholesalers. The ability to cancel at late notice is essential to keeping down the cost of business travel, where schedules often change at the last minute.
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 
