Tag: channel management

Lighthouse Expands Into Distribution With Acquisition of Stardekk

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Strategic acquisition adds dynamic distribution management capabilities focused on improving booking conversion and revenue optimization for independent hotels

DENVER, February 15, 2024 (Newswire.com)
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Lighthouse (formerly OTA Insight), the leading commercial platform for the travel & hospitality industry, today announced the acquisition of Belgian-based Stardekk, a market-leading provider of channel management and distribution software for the hospitality industry. This move represents another advancement in Lighthouse’s commitment to empowering hospitality commercial teams with a single platform to drive revenue growth.

The merger will create a unified technology platform, combining Lighthouse’s data and artificial intelligence with Stardekk’s distribution reach, offering hoteliers unprecedented dynamic channel optimization. The combined offering will streamline real-time decision-making in a rapidly evolving market, particularly benefiting independent hotels by providing advanced distribution tools and pricing insights to drive top-line revenue growth.

“We are delighted to welcome Stardekk to our team,” said Sean Fitzpatrick, CEO of Lighthouse. “Their innovative solutions and team complement our mission to reimagine commercial strategy for the hospitality industry. Together, we will deliver unmatched value to independent hoteliers through the combination of better data, better automation, and dynamic distribution.”

Focus on independent hotels

While the Lighthouse platform serves travel and hospitality businesses of all sizes, from independents to the largest global chains, this acquisition specifically targets the underserved sector of independent hotels. “Our ideal customer profile for this solution is independent hoteliers who are time-starved and overwhelmed managing disparate systems and data,” added Fitzpatrick.

Addressing market fragmentation

The hotel industry has long been hampered by a fragmented approach to pricing, promotion, and distribution, often leaving independent hoteliers at a disadvantage with disjointed data and systems. Lighthouse aims to bridge these gaps, offering an intelligent channel management solution for independent hotels that combines dynamic pricing optimization and distribution decisions in a single platform, driving top-line revenue growth and profitability.

Harnessing the power of AI and automation

With a unique understanding of the challenges faced by independents in an increasingly complex distribution landscape, the combined forces of Lighthouse and Stardekk will deliver an industry-first solution. Independent hotels often lack the time, data, and budgets to compete with larger chains. This acquisition will combine the expertise of Lighthouse and Stardekk in their use of data, AI algorithms, and automation to offer hoteliers unprecedented capabilities to more effectively and efficiently optimize their commercial strategies.

A shared vision for hoteliers

Vincent Goemaere, founder and CEO of Stardekk, commented, “Joining forces with Lighthouse marks a significant milestone in our journey. We’ve always been dedicated to empowering hoteliers with easy-to-use, powerful tools. This merger not only aligns with our vision but expands our joint capabilities, offering immense value to independent hoteliers who need to stay competitive in rapidly changing markets, by driving revenue and profitability. The potential we can unlock together is incredibly exciting.”

Together, Lighthouse and Stardekk are poised to redefine the distribution landscape for independent hoteliers worldwide, ushering in a new era of innovation, efficiency, and competitiveness. It’s a move that promises to level the playing field in a rapidly changing market.

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About Lighthouse

Lighthouse (formerly OTA Insight) is the leading commercial platform for the travel & hospitality industry. We transform complexity into confidence by providing actionable market insights, business intelligence, and pricing tools that maximize revenue growth. We continually innovate to deliver the best platform for hospitality professionals to price more effectively, measure performance more efficiently, and understand the market in new ways.

Trusted by over 65,000 hotels in 185 countries, Lighthouse is the only solution that provides real-time hotel and short-term rental data in a single platform. We strive to deliver the best possible experience with unmatched customer service. We consider our clients as true partners — their success is our success.

About Stardekk

Stardekk is a provider of innovative hotel software with over 22 years of experience and more than 3,000 customers in 55 countries. More bookings, less administration – that’s what Stardekk is all about. Stardekk offers an affordable all-in-one solution for hotels, B&Bs and short-term rentals to save time, maximize revenue and provide guests with a seamless experience, from online search to long after check-out. The powerful Cubilis Channel Manager, featuring best-of-class partnerships with Google, Airbnb, Booking.com and Expedia, serves as the engine that drives hoteliers’ online distribution.

Source: Lighthouse (formerly OTA Insight)

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February 14, 2024
HotelRunner Recognized as Top Connectivity Provider Globally by Expedia Group for the Second Year in a Row
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The Expedia Group Connectivity Partner Program recognizes and rewards top connectivity providers for maintaining high-quality software connections and helping lodging partners grow their business on Expedia Group’s travel platform.

Press Release
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Mar 10, 2022
LONDON, England, March 10, 2022 (Newswire.com)
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HotelRunner, the leading sales channel management platform and B2B network, has earned Elite Connectivity Partner status with Expedia Group, the highest designation available in their Connectivity Partner Program for the second year in a row. The Expedia Group Connectivity Partner Program recognizes and rewards top connectivity providers – including channel managers, property management systems, central reservation systems, and other vendors – for maintaining high-quality connections and helping connected lodging properties grow their business on Expedia Group websites and better serve travelers.

The Expedia Group Connectivity Partner Program is in its second year in 2022, and Elite status is awarded annually to an exclusive group of top-performing lodging connectivity software providers who offer excellent quality software connections and advanced tools and capabilities. To be eligible for Elite status, Expedia Group connectivity providers are rated on several technical and business criteria. HotelRunner earned Elite status for its commitment to:
- Improving traveler experiences on Expedia Group websites
- Enabling a wide range of tools and capabilities integrated with the Expedia Group travel platform
- Providing a quality connection with a reliable user experience
- Ensuring a streamlined onboarding experience and high-quality support for properties
- Empowering business growth for our clients on Expedia Group websites
“HotelRunner plays a crucial role in the travel ecosystem by building innovative solutions that empower global lodging properties to grow their businesses and deliver amazing experiences to guests,” said Lisa Chen, Vice President, Global Lodging Connectivity & Solutions. “We are excited and energized to deepen our relationship with HotelRunner in 2022 as a key stakeholder in our collective mission to power global travel for everyone, everywhere.”

“HotelRunner and Expedia Group’s strategic partnership continues to grow exponentially. This partnership empowers not only the two companies but especially our lodging properties,” said Rıza Kaynak, Director of Demand Partnerships at HotelRunner. “In our second year as an Elite Connectivity Partner, with the help of our state-of-the-art technology, we have assisted our joint properties to ensure that they benefit from this partnership in the best way possible, and connected thousands of new properties to Expedia Group. We highly value our strategic partnership with Expedia Group, and having been rewarded with this designation for the second time proves that we are on the right track of achieving great things together.”

As a part of its designation, HotelRunner will receive early access to new Expedia Group tools and features that it can pilot and integrate into its software. HotelRunner will also work directly with Expedia Group’s leadership team, providing feedback and helping shape future products and technology solutions.

Media Contact:

media@hotelrunner.com

About HotelRunner

HotelRunner is a distribution platform and B2B network for accommodations and travel agencies to find, contract, connect and transact with each other online. HotelRunner has more than 42,000 accommodation partners and over 150 travel agency partners from 193 countries. HotelRunner is a Booking.com Premier Connectivity Partner, Expedia Elite Connectivity Partner, Airbnb Software Partner, Agoda Innovative Supplier, Oracle Gold, Hotelbeds, and Google Hotel Ads strategic partner.

About Expedia Group

Expedia Group, Inc. companies power travel for everyone, everywhere through our global platform. Driven by the core belief that travel is a force for good, we help people experience the world in new ways and build lasting connections. We provide industry-leading technology solutions to fuel partner growth and success, while facilitating memorable experiences for travelers. Our organization is made up of four pillars: Expedia Services, focused on the group’s platform and technical strategy; Expedia Marketplace, centered on product and technology offerings across the organization; Expedia Brands, housing all our consumer brands; and Expedia for Business, consisting of business-to-business solutions and relationships throughout the travel ecosystem. The Expedia Group family of brands includes: Expedia®, Hotels.com®, Expedia® Partner Solutions, Vrbo®, trivago®, Orbitz®, Travelocity®, Hotwire®, Wotif®, ebookers®, CheapTickets®, Expedia Group™ Media Solutions, CarRentals.com™, and Expedia Cruises™. © 2022 Expedia, Inc., an Expedia Group company. All rights reserved. Trademarks and logos are the property of their respective owners.

Source: HotelRunner
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March 10, 2022
HotelRunner Introduces the Sales-First, Unified Property Management System at No Additional Cost to Businesses

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Press Release
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updated: Jun 17, 2021

LONDON, June 17, 2021 (Newswire.com)
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HotelRunner, the world’s leading travel technology platform, has taken a major step towards facilitating access to technology for all types of accommodation with the development of HotelRunner PMS (Property Management System): an innovation that will accelerate the digital transformation of the global tourism industry.

The new powerful HotelRunner PMS – which is fully integrated with all the products and services offered by HotelRunner as well as third-party applications – is designed to meet all the requirements of a hotelier, from daily operations to high-level needs and requests, for no additional cost.

All features of the Property Management System have been developed with consideration for the sales and profitability of every aspect of an accommodation business, from the front desk and cashier operations, to housekeeping and guest relations.

Aiming to digitalise the tourism and accommodation industries with a suite of dedicated products and services, HotelRunner is on its way to becoming the world’s leading one-stop-shop service provider, focused on increasing revenues of businesses of all size with its growing product range.

Working with more than 41,000 properties; thousands of agencies, and partners from 193 countries, HotelRunner has been bringing partners together with cost-efficient and high-level technology for a decade.

Cihan Coşkuntuncel, Director of Supply Partnerships at HotelRunner, commented on the new member of the HotelRunner product family: “Businesses operating throughout the global tourism and accommodation industries continue to face unprecedented challenges. For HotelRunner, it was vital we remain committed and focused on investing in technology and innovation. As a result of years of planning, we are taking firm steps forward in offering an inclusive solution supported by high-level technology to all our partners, especially our properties.

“We have made significant progress on our ambition to deliver a solution to all the needs of our partners on a single platform at an affordable price. Our next goal is to introduce HotelRunner PMS to our network of over 41,000 properties and to complete their operational transformation without any additional costs. HotelRunner PMS is a perfect solution, especially for small and medium-sized properties looking to manage their operations effectively using a digital system.”

Yiğit Can Bacakoğlu, Director of Technology at HotelRunner, said: “Having spent ten years providing our partners with world-leading tourism technology we have acquired unparalleled insight into the challenges and requirements of accommodation businesses of all size. Through this insight, and our own personal industry experience, we have been able to develop HotelRunner PMS: a user-friendly, all-inclusive, customizable, cost-effective, and intuitive Property Management System. We are proud to meet all the requirements of a property on our platform, which we currently support with numerous products and services.”

Leading the digital transformation of the tourism industry with its strategic partnerships worldwide; innovative products and services, and industrial experience, HotelRunner aims to increase the sales and profitability of accommodation properties with the brand new and powerful next generation HotelRunner PMS, expanding its dealer network and increasing its registered the properties to 50,000 by the end of the year.

HotelRunner PMS pre-launch

HotelRunner PMS was pre-released to a limited audience of 1,200 properties from 32 countries. The success of this launch coupled with growing demand has seen this comprehensive Property Management System launched for global use.

About HotelRunner

HotelRunner is a distribution platform and B2B network for accommodations and travel agencies to find, contract, connect and transact with each other online. HotelRunner has more than 41,000 accommodation partners and thousands of travel agency partners from 193 countries. HotelRunner is a Booking.com Premier Partner, Expedia Elite Connectivity Partner, Airbnb Software Partner, Agoda Innovative Supplier, Oracle Gold, Hotelbeds, and Google Hotel Ads Partner.

Media Contact:

Andrew Gogus
media@hotelrunner.com

Source: HotelRunner

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June 17, 2021
HotelRunner Selected as ‘Best Overall Performing Provider’ by Booking.com

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HotelRunner awarded Best Overall Performing Provider, a very prestigious award within the scope of Booking.com’s Connectivity Partner Achievement Awards 2020

Press Release
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updated: May 20, 2021

LONDON, May 20, 2021 (Newswire.com)
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The leading sales channel management platform and B2B network for the travel industry, HotelRunner has been awarded Best Overall Performing Provider by Booking.com, one of the world’s leading digital travel companies, a very prestigious award within Booking.com’s 2020 Connectivity Partner Achievement Awards 2020.

HotelRunner has long collaborated closely with Booking.com to increase the revenue of its property partners through digitalization. The partnership has seen HotelRunner crowned Premier Connectivity Partner for three consecutive years since its inception including 2021, Preferred IT Partner for four years before that, Top Connectivity Performer in 2018, and Connectivity Advisory Board Member for more than two years.

Despite the many pandemic-related challenges facing the hospitality and tourism industries over the last year, HotelRunner has continued to achieve extraordinary success with Booking.com, offering operational, technological, financial, and educational support to ensure their accommodation partners remained connected, continued to develop their businesses, and invested in the future of their properties.

HotelRunner exceeded every performance benchmark set, including quality of service delivered, agile support provided, increase in bookings via Booking.com, and the technology infrastructure required to integrate Booking.com APIs successfully in 2020.

Eddy Veldhuizen, Director Connectivity Partnerships at Booking.com, said “The partnership programme is the foundation of how we want to collaborate with providers and what we expect them to deliver. The partnership programme has three levels, and we are delighted that HotelRunner has been at the highest level (the Premier partnership) for many years. This means that both Booking.com and our accommodation partners are working with the best of the best. This year, more than ever, we value the dedication and hard work of HotelRunner and are glad they are committed to growing together.”

Riza Kaynak, Director of Demand Partnerships at HotelRunner, said “Our long-standing partnership with Booking.com and the dedicated and hard work of both companies, especially during the pandemic, are very valuable to us. As HotelRunner, we are thrilled and proud to receive the Best Overall Performing Provider title within the scope of Connectivity Partner Achievement Awards 2020. With the common goal of maximizing the performance of our properties on Booking.com, we ensure that all necessary technology is developed, integrated with our platform, and made available affordably, and we increase the bookings and revenues of our properties by initiating the creation of new business and integration models. As we did during the pandemic, we will continue to work shoulder to shoulder for the success of our joint properties in the future. We look forward to making a difference in the travel technology industry and reaching outstanding achievements together with Booking.com in 2021.”

Aiming to bring together the right property with the right guest audience in the right market and increase the revenues of the accommodation properties on its platform exponentially with every innovation it undertakes, HotelRunner continues to lead the industry thanks to its successful strategic partnership with Booking.com. As a result, they serve as the pioneers of the industry in terms of connectivity experience, powerful technology, and innovation.

HotelRunner, which has more than 41,000 accommodation partners from 193 countries of all types and sizes including boutique hotels, chain and resort hotels, bed and breakfasts, bungalows, and villas, will continue to increase the revenues and performances of its joint properties and the newly acquired ones. The company will cooperate closely with Booking.com to make sure the accommodations get the most out of this partnership in the upcoming period.

Hosting more than 50 million transactions a day, offering an end-to-end platform to the entire world with dozens of different products and services, and working to offer new markets to both property and agency partners with strategic partnerships, HotelRunner will continue to lead the industry globally with innovative products and features and new acquisitions, which will be announced in the upcoming period.

Media Contact:

Andrew Gogus
media@hotelrunner.com

About HotelRunner

HotelRunner is a distribution platform and B2B network for accommodations and travel agencies to find, contract, connect and transact with each other online. HotelRunner has more than 41,000 accommodation partners and over 150 travel agency partners from 193 countries. HotelRunner is a Booking.com Premier Connectivity Partner, Expedia Elite Partner, Airbnb Software Partner, Agoda Innovative Supplier, Oracle Gold, Hotelbeds and Google Hotel Ads Partner.

About Booking.com

Founded in 1996 in Amsterdam, Booking.com has grown from a small Dutch startup to one of the world’s leading digital travel companies. Part of Booking Holdings Inc., Booking.com’s mission is to make it easier for everyone to experience the world whenever it’s safe to do so again. By investing in the technology that helps take the friction out of travel, Booking.com seamlessly connects millions of travelers with memorable experiences, a range of transportation options and incredible places to stay – from homes to hotels and much more. As one of the world’s largest travel marketplaces for both established brands and entrepreneurs of all sizes, Booking.com enables properties all over the world to reach a global audience and grow their businesses. Booking.com is available in 44 languages and offers more than 28 million total reported accommodation listings, including more than 6.4 million listings of homes, apartments and other unique places to stay. No matter where you want to go or what you want to do, Booking.com makes it easy and backs it all up with 24/7 customer support.

Source: HotelRunner

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May 20, 2021
HotelRunner Recognized as Top Connectivity Provider by Expedia Group
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The Expedia Group Connectivity Partner Program recognizes and rewards top connectivity providers for maintaining high-quality software connections and helping lodging partners grow their business on the Expedia Group platform.

Press Release
–

updated: May 12, 2021
London, United Kingdom, May 12, 2021 (Newswire.com)
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HotelRunner, the leading sales channel management platform and B2B network, today announced their status as an Elite Connectivity Partner, the highest designation available in Expedia Group’s Connectivity Partner Program. The Expedia Group Connectivity Partner Program recognizes and rewards top connectivity providers – including channel managers, property management systems, central reservation systems, and other vendors – for maintaining high-quality connections and helping lodging properties grow their business on the Expedia Group marketplace.

The Elite Connectivity Partner designation is awarded to an exclusive group of top-performing Expedia Group lodging connectivity providers, including HotelRunner, who offer the highest-quality software connection to the Expedia Group marketplace and comprehensive functionality. To be eligible for Elite status, Expedia Group connectivity providers are rated on several technical and performance criteria to ensure they:
- Enable a wide range of tools and capabilities in the Expedia Group marketplace.
- Provide a quality Expedia Group connection with a reliable user experience.
- Streamline the Expedia Group onboarding experience with high-quality support for properties.
- Maintain a strong portfolio of high-performing properties in the Expedia Group marketplace.
“Our Elite Connectivity Partners are leaders in the industry, demonstrated by their innovative technology efforts to ensure their customers perform on our platform and clear understanding of traveler needs,” said Lisa Chen, Vice President, Global Lodging Connectivity & Solutions at Expedia Group. “By choosing to work with HotelRunner, an Elite Connectivity Partner, lodging property managers can be confident in a high-quality connection that will empower them to perform at their best in the Expedia Group marketplace.”

Ali Beklen, Founder and Managing Partner at HotelRunner, said, “We have a strong and constantly growing partnership with the Expedia Group. On our way to achieving the Elite Connectivity Partner status, we have connected thousands of new properties to the Expedia Group, and we have worked together intensively to ensure that our existing properties benefit from this partnership in the best and most beneficial way possible for them. We are delighted that HotelRunner’s state-of-the-art technology and dedicated team have been awarded by the Expedia Group worldwide. We look forward to the new era of our partnership.”

As a part of its designation, HotelRunner will work together with the Expedia Group on the new tools and features, also piloting and integrating these into their platform. HotelRunner team will also work directly with Expedia Group’s leadership team, providing feedback and helping shape future products and technology solutions.

Media Contact

Andrew Gogus
media@hotelrunner.com

About HotelRunner

HotelRunner is a distribution platform and B2B network for accommodations and travel agencies to find, contract, connect and transact with each other online. HotelRunner has more than 41,000 accommodation partners and over 150 travel agency partners from 193 countries. HotelRunner is Expedia Elite Partner, Booking.com Premier Connectivity Partner, Airbnb Software Partner, Agoda Innovative Supplier, Oracle Gold, Hotelbeds, and Google Hotel Ads Partner.

About Expedia Group

Expedia Group, Inc. companies power travel for everyone, everywhere through our global platform. Driven by the core belief that travel is a force for good, we help people experience the world in new ways and build lasting connections. We provide industry-leading technology solutions to fuel partner growth and success, while facilitating memorable experiences for travelers. The Expedia Group family of brands includes: Expedia®, Hotels.com®, Expedia® Partner Solutions, Vrbo®, Egencia®, trivago®, Orbitz®, Travelocity®, Hotwire®, Wotif®, ebookers®, CheapTickets®, Expedia Group™, Media Solutions, Expedia Local Expert®, CarRentals.com™, and Expedia Cruises™.

Source: HotelRunner
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May 12, 2021