ROSEMONT, Ill. -- For the past two decades, ABC Corporate Services
has sold its hotel book directory to small and midsize travel
agencies, permitting those agencies to print their own logos on the
directory's cover. Now ABC will launch a similar service on line.
ABC's Web site, which can be found at www.abccst.com,
features the Premier Hotel Program, a solution that enables
agencies to perform hotel searches by four criteria: specific
hotel, hotel chain, city or market.
ABC, a subsidiary of Travel Services International, will take
its concept a step further, offering agencies the option to
purchase the Web program and label it with their own company logos.
Agencies then could integrate the hotel search program into their
own Web sites.
Laura Nelson, marketing manager at ABC Corporate Services,
indicated that corporate travel departments as well as agencies
have shown interest in buying ABC's on-line hotel search
program.
Businesses that choose to purchase the on-line tool have access
to the names and locations of more than 10,000 hotels in categories
from economy to deluxe. Nearly 200 hotel chains from around the
world are represented. ABC's subscribing agencies have access to
preferred rates via a password.
In addition, ABC's site offers suppliers the opportunity to
further sales and marketing objectives through preferred listing
options and advertising via banners or logos.
ABC's other available products include the Travel Emergency
Service System, International Rate Desk and Global Connect.
In addition to marketing its Premier Hotel Program, ABC has been
busy providing a face-lift for its own Web site. Its burgundy logo
has been replaced with a deep blue and silver one, with a partial
ellipse underscoring the typeface.
"Our goal with respect to our new logo and marketing efforts is
to refresh our look for the new millennium," said Cynthia Kropp,
ABC's director of sales and service.