| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 10/07/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 51 |
| Copyright: Other |
Hotel chains to expand into Asia Pacific region
FORTE, Accor and Hilton International are in talks with Starwood Hotels and Resorts to expand their European joint-venture Web Site to the Asia Pacific region.Starwood properties, which include the Sheraton, Four Points, Westin, St Regis, Luxury Collection and W brands, are expected to be available on the site by the end of the year.
The four hotel groups claim the addition of Starwood means travellers who use the Web site have an unparalleled choice. They added it would bring significant cost benefits.
Starwood vice-president sales and marketing Asia Pacific Philip Ho said: “While Internet bookings still form only a small percentage of our total bookings, the trends indicate we will follow the US example whereby travel is increasingly sold on the Internet.”
Other hotel groups are expected to sign up to the joint venture before the end of the year.
Sheraton hotels: will feature on the new joint-venture Web site