LANGLEY, UK – August 29, 2007, Galileo, a leading global distribution system (GDS) and subsidiary of Travelport, today announced that its industry leading Best Available Rate (BAR) guarantee program has added hotel and leisure market leader, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. Starwood adds to the list of over 150 hotel brands participating in the BAR program.
The Galileo BAR program enables major hotel chains to provide travel agents with access to the best available published, non-restricted rates offered through any other GDS or online distribution channels. Hotels that participate in Galileo’s BAR program have committed to ensuring that their lowest unrestricted public rates are made available for sale in Galileo.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts is one of the largest hotel and leisure companies in the world, with over 870 properties in over 95 countries. Its globally renowned brands include Westin, Sheraton, W Hotels, St. Regis, Luxury Collection, Le Méridien, Four Points, and the upcoming aloft and Element.
"Starwood places great value in the service provided by travel agents around the globe,” said Linda Kent, vice president, Electronic Distribution for Starwood. “Our participation in the Galileo BAR program is an extension of the partnership we have with Galileo in providing the best information possible to the agency community and their customers."
Galileo connected agents were the first to benefit from having a Best Available Rate program when it was launched two years ago. Agents benefit when booking a BAR hotel, knowing they won’t find a lower unrestricted public rate through any other channel.
“Galileo is pleased to provide agents the assurance that the rates they receive from Galileo are truly the ‘best available,’ eliminating the need to shop multiple channels to serve their customer," said Louise Meyer, senior director, Hotel & Car Distribution, Galileo by Travelport.
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About Galileo
Galileo is a global technology leader. Its core business is providing electronic global distribution services for the travel industry through its computerized reservation systems, leading-edge products and innovative, Internet-based solutions. Galileo is a value-added aggregator of travel inventory dedicated to supporting its travel supplier, agency and corporate customers and, through them, expanding traveler choice. Galileo, www.galileo.com, headquartered in Langley, UK, is a Travelport brand. Travelport is one of the largest and most geographically diverse travel companies, dedicated to creating the exceptional travel experiences the world demands.
About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.(R) is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 870 properties in more than 95 countries and 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood(R) Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis(R), The Luxury Collection(R), Sheraton(R), Westin(R), Four Points(R) by Sheraton, W(R), Le Méridien(R) and the recently announced Aloft(SM) and Element(SM) Hotels. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com