Thistle Hotels leads the way in reservation technology
Thistle Hotels, London's largest hotelier, is set to become the first UK based hotel company to create a " single image inventory" environment throughout the portfolio for its reservations systems through the introduction of a unified IT strategy, offering enormous benefits to both customers and the company itself.
For customers, the new reservations technology means that booking accommodation will be more flexible, more accurate and more sensitive to market demand. However a reservation is made, the same rates and availability will be offered at all points of sale throughout the company.
For Thistle Hotels, the new systems mean that yield management can be maximised; a full inventory of all rooms can be seen at all times and a comprehensive and consistent selling strategy can be instigated through all channels of distribution. Other benefits include optimised intra-property bookings and enhanced corporate reporting.
MICROS-Fidelio Central Reservation System has been installed in Thistle's central reservation office and the roll-out of a new property management system, MICROS-Fidelio Front Office, to all hotels is well underway. A two-way interface has been developed between the central reservation office and each hotel property management system and this means that a real time inventory of room availability at every hotel can be seen.
From the 1st July, travel agents booking through the GDS will benefit directly from the single image inventory environment (for the majority of hotels) as Thistle's central reservation to interface with the GDS. For the first time, "true" last room availability will be system starts possible as reservations and availability will be delivered from the GDS directly to a hotel's property management system. A seamless connection to the GDS and the Internet will be available later in the year.
The new reservation systems technology is part of a GBP 10 million IT investment programme started last year.