Affiliate Marketing Partner Open World Increases Number of Bookings Direct to InterContinental Hotels Group Web Sites

Open World, an affiliate marketing partner of InterContinental Hotels Group, the worlds largest and most global hotel company, reported it has increased by 172 percent the amount of bookings it directs to IHGs web sites in 2004 over 2003 through its affiliate marketing relationship with IHG, according to Ms Jo Booker, executive director of Open World Travel Services.

(PRWEB) April 12, 2005 -- Open World, an affiliate marketing partner of InterContinental Hotels Group, the worlds largest and most global hotel company, reported it has increased by 172 percent the amount of bookings it directs to IHGs web sites in 2004 over 2003 through its affiliate marketing relationship with IHG, according to Ms Jo Booker, executive director of Open World Travel Services.

"Marketing via Open Worlds Direct-to-Brand programme is an excellent fit for IHG," said Mr Michael Menis, director, Global Marketing Services for InterContinental Hotels Group. "Open World refers guests who are researching travel online direct to our brand websites. Our relationship with them has helped us promote our brands and build customer relationships in the online world."

We are delighted with the levels of business that we have achieved for IHG over the past two years. Since 2002, we have consistently worked together on new 'direct-to-brand marketing initiatives to drive incremental business to their websites," said Booker.

Open Worlds Direct+Connect Affiliate Travel Programme is a pioneer in direct web distribution for hotels and resorts worldwide. The supplier-friendly concept was conceived as an offensive strategy to tackle the merchant model and shift the revenue management control back to the brands. Established in 2002 with only a small number of affiliate partners including IHG, the programme has expanded to include over 60 global hotel partners, representing over 80 major hotel brands worldwide. The programme has successfully generated in excess of US$30 million in revenue for its affiliate partners in 2004, and continues to grow month-on-month.
   
The programme is based on a no risk guaranteed" pay-for-performance business model. There is no set-up fee for suppliers to participate in the programme, and they will only pay commission on consumed web bookings generated from Open Worlds travel websites, which generate in excess of two million visitors per month. These websites enjoy widespread listings in all the major search engines including Google and MSN, with many results frequently appearing within the top 10 positions.

World Executive -- A global hotel portal, with over 30,000 accommodation choices, features over 100 destination guides with local city information, visitor tips, top attractions, transportation and direction, location maps, five-day weather forecast and photo tours. The portal, targeting frequent individual travellers, also offers booking functionality for car, air and local events. www.worldexecutive.com
   
World Airport Guides -- A series of comprehensive guides to many of the worlds international and regional airports. Targeting business and transient travellers, the guides feature airport and terminal information, transportation, terminal maps, airport hotel listings, flight tracking, on-line car parking reservations and flight bookings. www.worldairportguides.com.

Luxury Travel -- A global leisure travel portal with an exclusive selection of upscale and luxury hotels and resorts around the world. www.luxurytravel.com.

For more information on Open World Affiliate Travel Programme, please contact us at affiliates@openworld.org.

About InterContinental Hotels Group: InterContinental Hotels Group PLC of the United Kingdom [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is the worlds most global hotel company and the largest by number of rooms. InterContinental Hotels Group owns, manages, leases or franchises, through various subsidiaries, more than 3,500 hotels and 534,000 guest rooms in nearly 100 countries and territories around the world. The Group owns a portfolio of well recognized and respected hotel brands including InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn® Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express®, Staybridge Suites®, Candlewood Suites® and Hotel IndigoTM, and also manages the worlds largest hotel loyalty program, Priority Club® Rewards, with more than 24 million members worldwide.

InterContinental Hotels Group offers information about and online reservations for all its hotel brands at www.ichotelsgroup.com and information for the Priority Club Rewards program at www.priorityclub.com.

For the latest news from InterContinental Hotels Group, visit our online Press Office at www.ihgplc.com/media.

About Open World: Established in 1995, Open World specialises in Hospitality and Travel Internet solutions hosting 2,000+ hotel web sites for 60+ brands worldwide in 10+ languages. With 12 global offices, Open World Professional seamlessly integrates its Art+Science best practices with Open World Travels Direct+Connect commercial approach to deliver full-service solutions from customised web site design and 'first-in-natural-search marketing science to direct channel distribution and reservation system integration. For more information, please visit www.openworld.org.

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