Accor, Forte and Hilton name Web site venture

Joint initiative

Accor, Forte and Hilton name Web site venture

Report by LEE WINTER

ACCOR, Hilton and Forte Hotels have selected a name for their first joint initiative, a Web site that will enable consumers and businesses to book any of their European properties on-line.

The site, www.andbook.com, is expected to go live by January, although the final date will depend on regulatory clearance from Brussels.

The three chains first announced plans for a joint venture in May, with plans to attract other hotel groups over time (Travel Weekly May 15).

The site will be run as an independent company with former Forte Hotels Group e-commerce director Michael Madison appointed as its first chief executive officer.

Global distribution systems supplier Amadeus has been contracted as the main technology supplier for the site, which the three chains see as the initial phase of a rolling programme.

Amadeus will be responsible for hosting the Internet site and for its maintenance and support.

A Hilton spokeswoman said: “The venture will create a best in its class Web-based hotel and travel reservation system and provide an integrated travel booking solution for businesses.

“The site will be designed to provide rich, reliable hotel information and will initially focus on room reservations, potentially expanding to include conference and meetings facilities and other travel services, including car rental.”

The existing Internet sites, run by each of the three companies, will continue. The new venture will be complementary to these sites and aimed at boosting Internet bookings in the hotel market beyond the current 2%-3%.

The spokeswoman didn’t rule out the eventual setting up of a separate booking site for agents.

She said: “The initial launch will be for consumers and businesses, a one-stop shop where information on the three hotel chains is located. We will build on that as we go along.”