Lastminute strikes major hotel deal
Lastminute.com has been named by InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) as a certified distributor of the group’s properties.
The online agent, which sealed a similar deal with Hilton in September, is the first pan European partner to be signed by IHG.
IHG is the world’s largest hotel company and has more than 3,500 hotels worldwide. The company recently announced its intention to work only with certified third party distributors in a bid to gain more control over the distribution of its hotels and to avoid “engaging in confusing and potentially unclear marketing practices”.
Other online partners that have been certified by IHG include Travelocity, while Expedia.com and Hotels.com have been ditched by the group.
IHG executive vice president Peter Gowers said: ” We took a bold step in April stating that we will only work with third party distributors who are willing to treat their customers with the same high standards of customer care that we treat our own.
“Lastminute.com share this view and are a fantastic partner to work with in Europe because of their broad product range which perfectly complements the hotel offering.”
Lastminute chief executive, Brent Hoberman, claims his company expects to sell over six million room nights through its combined businesses this year.
Report by Ginny McGrath
Ginny McGrath
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