Lausanne (CH), Golden Tulip Hospitality Group’s Central Reservations System continued in 2008 to show significant distribution channel shift towards web bookings.

In 2008 web bookings accounted for 49,5% of all reservations made through the group’s Central Reservations System, Goldres. This despite the more traditional GDS channels continuing to produce similar high volumes compared to the previous year.

Current distribution technology norms such as rate parity indicators, direct connect, and dynamic pricing were implemented on Goldres at the beginning of the industry adoption curve thus giving the hotel brands a competitive advantage in sales and marketing. Golden Tulip Hospitality Group continues to set the pace in terms of distribution standards, bringing new technology to next generation customers as well as simplifying hotel operations:

  • Goldres was the first hotel Central Reservations System to enable reservations to be booked in real time through mobile devices (2005);
  • Prepayment processing handled on brand website in various currencies;
  • Web application provides features such as mapping, multi language, virtual tours, RSS feeds, guest reviews and e-newsletters to hotel’s individual websites;
  • By applying Direct Connectivity with leading travel portals, Goldres extends the market reach for hotel (brands) drastically, while adding no extra manual workload in rates and inventory control.

Hans Kennedie, President & C.E.O. of Golden Tulip Hospitality Group comments: “We are constantly seeking means of delivering value to our properties and the brands we represent them by. We have seen the value the web and online technology has to the hospitality industry, and are actively involved with industry bodies and thought leadership programmes to ensure we are on the frontline of distribution technology, whilst keeping development costs to a minimum.”

Riko van Santen, SVP Distribution & ICT of Golden Tulip Hospitality Group adds: “Electronic look-to-book ratios continue to grow at an exponential rate, due to low barriers of entry to market and a spike in indexing and screen scraping for business intelligence. Hotel chains need to ensure that the distribution platform is robust and scalable. We are proud that our Central Reservations System, Goldres, achieved an uptime in 2008 of no less than 100%.

About Golden Tulip Hospitality Group | Golden Tulip Hospitality Group (), with its head office in Lausanne, Switzerland, is a worldwide hospitality company with more than 780 hotels and 75.000 rooms in more than 50 countries. The Golden Tulip Hospitality Group franchises and manages hotels in Europe, the Middle East & Africa, the Asian Pacific Region and the Americas. In 2006, Hotels Magazine has ranked this company the 18th largest hotel chain. As a multi-brand hospitality firm, the Golden Tulip Hospitality Group offers services in categories with different standards.

Tulip Inns offer comfortable accommodation in convenient locations in city centers or close to major access routes. They provide well-maintained, functional accommodation and friendly service as well as exceptional value for money for business or pleasure.

Tulip Residences are exclusive, select service properties for the discerning business and leisure traveller looking for extended stay accommodation in prime city locations. Studios, apartments and suites come fully equipped with high-definition televisions, free Wi-Fi connection and en suite bathrooms and with state-of-the-art kitchen facilities.

Golden Tulip Hotels are superior first-class hotels with international standards of comfort, service and facilities. Each hotel offers you its own individual character, whilst reflecting the flavor of its location. All Golden Tulip hotels are situated in key locations, some in city centers or close to airports and major access routes, whilst others are located in business districts or close to local conference centers. A number of additional amenities, ranging from meeting rooms to recreational facilities, are offered at all Golden Tulip hotels.

Royal Tulip Hotels are luxury hotels offering the most elegant and high standard facilities with a deluxe level of comfort and personal service. All Royal Tulip hotels are situated in gateway city centers and business districts. A number of additional sophisticated and state of the art technology amenities are offered at all Royal Tulip hotels.In addition, Golden Tulip offers its services through its commercial alliance with TOP International, a German based hotel consortium.

In the fall of 2006, Golden Tulip introduced BRANCHE, Restaurant, Bar and Lounge. This is a free standing restaurant chain, which will have establishments in most Golden Tulip Hotels and Tulip Inns operated by Golden Tulip. (For more information please visit ).

In the summer of 2008, Golden Tulip introduced the new F&B concept George & Co.. George & Co. will serve sweet and savoury classics featuring international fusion and healthy choices. Based on providing all-day eating options the restaurant offers a wide range of pre-prepared dishes from breakfast and light lunches to dinner and snacks. All products offered in George & Co. restaurants will be fully branded. George & Co. F&B concept will be implemented in Tulip Inns and Golden Tulip hotels.

Iris van de Beek
+41 215101512
Golden Tulip