4oceans makes a 'French Connection' with Cosytel

4oceans, an electronic distribution specialist, is strengthening its position in the international travel market with the signing of a new deal for its advanced ResEngine booking platform and Agent Portal.

The agreement sees a public ResEngine platform supplied to French boutique hotel group Cosytel, providing over 350 hotels in the Group with advanced website functionality, including real time availability and bookings, improved inventory management and enhanced customer service.

For the first time the group's inventory in France and the French Caribbean will now be available to over 3000 Chinese bookers via 4oceans' multi-lingual web-based platform, alongside all of 4oceans' Western distribution channels.

A direct connection to Cosytel's central reservation system in Paris will allow visitors to the groups website to see last-minute offers, providing individual properties with a route to promote and sell the latest deals, all bookable in a real time environment through an easy three-step booking process.

Eric J. Aouizerats, Director of Sales and Marketing at Cosytel said: "The boutique nature of Cosytel properties is a key selling point in an increasingly competitive market. To maximise the opportunity that this offers, we recognised a need to take advantage of the latest web-based technology to build business from new markets.

"By integrating the 4oceans ResEngine and Agent Portal into our website we are opening the group up to new revenue streams from around the world, in particular China and Global emerging markets. This strategy is supported by the development of both public and trade business, with 4oceans offering us a solution that provides both sectors with a dedicated, real-time offering."

Launched at November's World Travel Market the ResEngine solution is designed to simplify and maximise the online booking potential for hoteliers. Providing a low-cost, low-risk entry into the online booking market, 4oceans charges modest fees, limiting the financial investment required and tying it to actual revenue produced.

Additionally, for agents, the agreement sees Cosytel incorporate Agent Portal functionality in their website. The web portal allows agents to sign up to Cosytel and receive special negotiated rates.

Juliette Newth, Hotel Relations Manager at 4oceans, added: "Cosytel properties have a worldwide appeal and are now ideally positioned to take advantage of the growth potential from new markets. For both the public and trade they can now offer an online, real-time booking solution that gives the properties and the customer far greater control, with instant confirmations and superior reporting to help improve inventory management.

"The agreement is a key step in the future growth and success of Cosytel and 4oceans is delighted to be a part of this development."