Hotel chain unveils distinguished agency

GRAND Heritage Hotels International is launching its own travel agency, Distinguished Travel, at World Travel Market.

The hotel marketing group has tied up a partnership deal with Cleveland Travel in West London, where six agents will be taking calls on dedicated Distinguished Travel phonelines.

As well as hotel bookings, they will sell flights, including private aircraft charters, car rental, private limousine transfers and travel insurance. They will also offer a visa and consular service.

Grand Heritage Hotels International chairman Timothy Hadcock-Mackay said the travel agency is one part of a Distinguished range of products that was due to be launched in February 2002.

“It is a huge investment for us, but we have brought the launch forward to make a positive statement, to reassure both clients and the industry,” he said.

“We have negotiated some good rates which other agents could make use of, so we are not taking away their business, but enhancing our service to clients,” he added.

Distinguished Travel is promoted in the group’s 2002 Global Directory, which launches this week and features Elegant Resorts properties for the first time following a new deal between the two companies.

Grand Heritage is also releasing details of its Distinguished Club Card, ahead of the official consumer launch in January.

Cards cost £95 and are available to anyone who applies. For the fee, holders receive benefits including 10% discounts at participating hotels, one £75 and one £100 room rate voucher, Air Miles on hotel reservations and a dedicated theatre booking service.

Hadcock-Mackay said none of the Grand Heritage hotels could be forced to take part in marketing initiatives because they are independently owned, but he predicted that most would want to be involved, as a way to increase both their business and profile.

There are just over 120 hotels in the group, 60% of which are in the UK.

Distinguished Magazine, a lifestyle publication, will be launched next year.