Press Release: VIP International Corporation
April 9, 2002
CALGARY, Alberta & HONG KONG -- VIP International (CDNX:HSS), one of the world's largest reservation service
providers, yesterday announced an agreement with IHC Asia Limited for the Hong Kong-based company to sell VIP International's
reservation technology and marketing services to hotels in the Asia Pacific region. Led by Charles Lai, IHC Asia
Limited will focus on building VIP International's early success in attracting high profile hotel groups in the
region.
``Mr. Lai is a highly respected leader in the Asia Pacific hospitality industry and we are excited to work with
him,'' said Anita Chan, vice president, Asia Pacific for VIP International. ``Hotels in the region will be assured
of familiar faces and a wealth of industry knowledge when discussing their electronic channel distribution needs
with Mr. Lai and his team.''
A former vice president, North Asia for Utell, Lai has more than 23 years of international hospitality management
experience. Prior to IHC Asia Limited, Lai served as chief operating officer for Crown Development Limited., a
joint venture company between Shun Tak Holdings Limited in Hong Kong and Asiatravelmart Sdn. Bhd. in Malaysia.
Prior to these roles, Lai was the marketing consultant for The Fullerton Singapore and has held management positions
with Regal Hotels International and the Excelsior Hotel, a member of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group.
Mr. Lai is a member of Hotel Electronic Distribution Network Association (HEDNA) and holds a diploma in HCIMA from
Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He also received the Hong Kong Hotel Association Scholarship for the Executive
Program in Hospitality Management from Cornell University. Mr. Lai is an active guest lecturer for The School of
Hotel Management, The Chinese University of Hong Kong and Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
``Hotels are recognizing the importance of the need to have a reservation service partner with an infrastructure
that is recognizably client-focused,'' said Charles Lai, chief executive officer of IHC Asia Limited. ``VIP's total
electronic distribution solution and their unique approach to generating reservations will definitely benefit the
hotels. VIP provides hotels with the opportunity to stay ahead of the competition by capturing new market shares
with cost effective marketing and distribution strategies. I look forward to introducing VIP International to our
clients throughout the region.''
This announcement follows VIP International's recent purchase of UK-based HotelWorld's assets. This purchase increased
VIP International's global hotel portfolio by 16 per cent, and provided VIP International with an increased presence
in Europe.
About VIP International:
VIP International Corporation (www.vipintcorp.com), a wholly owned subsidiary
of HARS Systems, Inc., provides electronic distribution and marketing services for thousands of hotels and car
rental locations around the world. VIP International is the central point of distribution to every viable Internet
travel Web site, including VIP's proprietary Web site (www.CarsAndHotels.com),
and all of the major travel agent computer reservation systems (Global Distribution Systems.) With 22 years of
GDS expertise, and a history of unparalleled client-focused service and marketing support, VIP International is
positioned to provide the premier reservations solution available today.
With its World Headquarters in Calgary, Canada, VIP International has business development offices in Denver and
Kansas City, USA; Toronto, Canada; London, England; Hong Kong, China; and Buenos Aires, Argentina. HARS Systems,
Inc. is traded on the CDNX under the symbol HSS.
Certain statements contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. While these statements reflect
HARS Systems, Inc.'s (the Corporation) current beliefs, they are subject to uncertainties and risks that could
cause actual results to differ materially. These factors include, but are not limited to, the demand for the Corporation's
products and services, economic and competitive conditions.
The Canadian Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not take responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of
this release.
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Contact:
VIP International Corporation (Asia Pacific)
Anita Chan, 011/852-3428-4890
or Mobile: 011/852-6100-9309
Email: achan@vipintcorp.com
Website: www.vipintcorp.com
or
VIP International Corporation (North America)
Donald Ross, 800/327-1847 ext. 8205
Emai: dross@vipintcorp.com