News/Press Releases
Monday - June 25, 2007.
Death of the Extranet: Millions of Consumers Now Connect Directly with Vacation Lodging Inventory Through LeisureLink's Distribution Platform
Pasadena, CA - June 25, 2007. LeisureLink, Inc. today announced that a select group of its vacation lodging customers have directly linked their reservation systems into major online and travel agent distribution channels. Dozens of LeisureLink customers will shortly join these industry leaders by connecting through LeisureLink and their partner, Instant Software, the leading provider of software solutions to the Vacation Lodging Industry.
The consumer will now have a much richer array of choices, as more vacation lodging inventory becomes seamlessly available. In addition, operational errors such as double bookings, have been virtually eliminated.
The competitive advantage will swing decisively in favor of boutique vacation lodging companies. Until now, a few major hotel chains have had a monopoly on a key technology: linking their available inventory to major websites and travel agents on a real time basis, allowing consumers to tap into all available inventory at all times. This combination of technology and market knowledge allows the major chains to manipulate prices in response to demand, allowing them to capture a disproportionate share of consumer bookings.
LeisureLink's system allows vacation lodging managers to accept bookings from all major travel websites, travel agents, and the LeisureLink affiliate network. The joint offering eliminates time intensive use of extranets to update availability and prices by automatically feeding real time data directly into the LeisureLink system.
"This marks the death of the extranet", said Maggie Carnes, Manager of Barefoot Vacations. "We don't want to manage extranets anymore... and now we don't have to", she said. "I want to spend my time taking care of our guests, not doing data entry", said Carnes.
"Vacation lodging suppliers have demanded-- and now have-- tools to allow them to compete effectively with the big hotels," said Erik Hovanec, President and CEO of LeisureLink. "While large hotels have spent millions on this advanced technology, the vacation lodging suppliers now have access to this same technology at costs that allow them to compete" he said. "We are seeing distribution evolve just like the search market-the internet is democratizing distribution, leveling the playing field for all participants", said Hovanec.
About LeisureLink
LeisureLink was founded in June of 2002 with the goal of making leisure lodging properties widely available through online travel sites and traditional travel agents. LeisureLink not only delivers broad distribution, but also provides revenue management tools that maximize property managers. profitability in all market conditions and seasons. Our clients include vacation lodging, timeshare, and condohotel properties. For more information, visit: http://www.LeisureLink.com.
Contacts
LeisureLink Inc.
Steve Reich,
Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing
626-696-4530
SLReich@LeisureLink.com
About Barefoot Vacations
Since 1980 the Barefoot staff has been turning visits into outstanding adventures. We hope your vacation will be next! Barefoot vacation lodging offer fully equipped kitchens, laundry facilities, Spectacular views, pools, hot tubs, tennis, golf courses galore, and locations that are ALWAYS close to FUN FUN FUN! For more information visit: www.BarefootVacations.info.
About Instant Software, Inc.
Instant Software Inc., based just outside Aspen, Colorado, is the nation's leading provider of vacation lodging management software and related services. The Instant Software Group includes First Resort Software, PropertyPlus, Entech Data Systems, V12.NET, and Resort Manager Software. ISI companies have installed software at more than 2,000 property management companies and vacation lodging resorts throughout North America. The company, which was the first Windows solution in the vacation lodging industry and the first to bring real-time booking, serves more than 250,000 vacation lodging.For additional facts visit: www.instantsoftware.com.
For more information contact:
Dave Hopcroft
CEO, Instant Software
888-GO TO ISI
Dhopcroft@instantsoftware.com
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