Toronto,
CN & Parsippany, NJ � November 2005 � Cendant Travel Distribution Services
(TDS) and VFM Interactive are working
to increase the quantity of hotel visuals provided through Galileo International,
Inc., a leading global distribution system (GDS), and subsidiary of Cendant
Corp. (NYSE: CD). The relationship between the two companies will provide
VFM�s still and rich media image content to Galileo-connected agency customers
worldwide.
When
completed, this arrangement will expand on the existing relationship between
Cendant and VFM, which already distributes hotel visual content through
Cendant�s online travel agencies: Orbitz, CheapTickets and Lodging.com.
VFM�s growing photo and rich media portfolio will be extended to Galileo
International to further enhance the Galileo Image Library, launched earlier
this year.
�Consumers
rate visuals with extremely high importance in selecting a hotel online
and we are delighted to further build on our relationship with Cendant
by adding Galileo to our distribution network to offer Galileo-connected
travel agencies access to more high quality hotel images,� said Paolo Boni,
VFM president and chief executive officer.
�We�ve
had great response to the Galileo Image Library and look forward to adding
VFM�s distribution feed to provide our travel agencies around the world
with more competitive information and resources to sell more hotel rooms
and other travel services,� said George Roukas, vice president, Strategic
Product Development, The Americas, Cendant Travel Distribution Services.
Both
parties expect the VFM content to be available by early next year.
About
VFM Interactive
VFM
Interactive (www.vfmii.com) is the
leading distributor and producer of rich media content for the lodging
and travel industry. Operating the largest and fastest-growing distribution
network, VFM enables hotels to maximize their presence online using the
power of rich media on more than 5,000 travel-related distribution points
where consumers are researching and purchasing travel products. In addition
to sites such as Travelocity, Orbitz, Priceline and TripAdvisor, VFM's
distribution network also includes major search engines like Yahoo! and
GDSs, including Worldspan. VFM also produces a variety of media marketing
content including still images, rich media videos, 360° virtual tours
and Flash productions. VFM's clients include more than 8,000 hotels and
resorts from brands and management companies such as Accor, Best Western,
Choice, Crowne Plaza, Hilton, Holiday Inn, Interstate, La Quinta, Le Meridien,
Marriott, MGM, Outrigger, Radisson, Regent, Sheraton, W, Westin, and Wyndham.
About
Cendant Travel Distribution Services
Cendant
Corporation�s (NYSE: CD) Travel Distribution Services Division, is one
of the world�s largest and most geographically diverse collections of travel
brands and distribution businesses. The division, employing nearly 9,000
people in approximately 120 countries, includes: a leading (GDS) global
distribution system (Galileo), serving more than 44,000 travel agencies
and over 60,000 hotels; hotel distribution and services businesses (Neat
Group®, THOR®, TRUST and WizCom®); leading
online travel agencies (CheapTickets®, ebookers.com®,
HotelClub.com, Lodging.com, Orbitz®, and RatesToGo.com); an
airline market intelligence company (Shepherd Systems); an international
travel technology and software company (Travelwire); a leading international
provider of long-haul air travel and travel product consolidator (Travel
2®/Travel 4®); online global corporate travel management
solutions (Orbitz for Business® and Travelport®);
and a leading wholesaler and global online provider of hotels, destination
services, travel packages and group tours (Gullivers Travel Associates,
OctopusTravel.com® and Travel Bound, Inc.).
For
additional information, please contact:
Cendant
Travel Distribution Services
Galileo
Americas Inquiries
Sarah
Berger or Jill Brenner
973-496-5870
|
VFM
Interactive
Debra
Sharp
Director
of Communications
416-593-6634
|
For
VFM Interactive
Dawn
Lyon
415-846-4706 |