MARRIOTT INTERNATIONALANNOUNCES NEW FUNCTIONALITY IN APOLLO/GALILEO

Marriott International, Inc. has introduced Alternate Availability in the Apollo/Galileo GDS, becoming the first hotel company to offer this function. Alternate Availability enables travel agents to book other Marriott International hotels when the originally requested hotel is not available.

“We are constantly looking for ways to help travel agents provide the best service to their customers, and Alternative Availability helps a travel agent work faster and more efficiently. This is a critical factor in today’s competitive travel industry,” said Bruce Wolff, senior vice president, distribution sales and marketing.

Alternate Availability immediately provides travel agents with information on up to three optional hotels from the Marriott International family of brands, including mileage and directions from the originally requested hotel.

The Marriott International hotel brands in Apollo/Galileo are:

Marriott Hotels, Resorts & Suites

Renaissance Hotels, Resorts & Suites

Courtyard by Marriott

Fairfield Inn and Suites

Marriott Conference Centers

Residence Inn by Marriott

SpringHill Suites by Marriott

TownePlace Suites by Marriott

Ramada International Hotels & Resorts

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company

Apollo/Galileo is the third GDS in which Marriott International has provided the Alternate Availability functionality. Marriott International was the first hotel company to offer the functionally in Worldspan (1996) and in Sabre (1998).