6C GDS Chain Code Allows Travel Agents to Instantly Access any of Six Continents Hotels’ Properties Worldwide

Six Continents Hotels, the global hospitality leader with more than 3,200 hotels in nearly 100 countries and territories, is inviting travel agents in the Middle East and Africa to join the company in celebrating its new name by participating in the World’s Most Global Sweepstakes. Travel agents worldwide are eligible to win cash prizes totaling $55,000* including a grand prize of approximately $15,000.

Six Continents Hotels, formerly Bass Hotels & Resorts, is offering the World’s Most Global Sweepstakes to generate awareness for its new company name, which was introduced in July this year. As part of the name change, Six Continents Hotels established one comprehensive GDS master chain code, “6C,” to represent all Six Continents Hotels’ brands, including Inter-Continental®, Crowne Plaza®, Holiday Inn®, Express by Holiday Inn®, and Staybridge Suites® by Holiday Inn®. By simply keying in ‘6C,’ agents can instantly access Six Continents properties in any worldwide location through the GDS system.

To assist travel agents in booking Six Continents hotels, travel agents can refer to the '6C' format cards that are available in six languages (English, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese and Italian) by e-mailing their request to formatcards@banta.com or by visiting the travel agent section of any of Six Continents Hotels’ brand websites. For further information on the new chain code and up-to-date information, travel agents can visit the HI - CP - IC -YZ index screens in their respective GDS system.

“We value our relationship with our travel agent colleagues and strive to provide them with the tools they need to provide the highest level of customer service,” said Damian Hinds, vice president of e-commerce for Six Continents Hotels Europe, Middle East and Africa. “Our new ‘6C’ GDS master chain code gives them instant access to Six Continents hotels worldwide. Now we are rewarding their loyalty to our brands with a chance to win cash through the World’s Most Global Sweepstakes.”

To qualify for the prize draw, agents must complete a survey and return it to Six Continents Hotels by December 31, 2001. The survey can be completed and the rules reviewed via the Web site at www.sixcontinents-travelagentsweeps.com. All winners will be announced in January 2002.