Press Release: Candlewood Hotel Co.
November 6, 2000
WICHITA, KS -- VIP International will handle electronic and telephone reservations for Candlewood Hotel Co. (Nasdaq:
CNDL), beginning in mid-January, with its global distribution system (GDS)-based technology.
``We wanted the most sophisticated web-based technology in the industry and great support and service for our Candlewood
Suites customers,'' says David Redfern, VP of sales and marketing for Candlewood. ``We get both with this new system,
plus the added benefit of lower costs.''
VIP will also provide voice reservations services to Candlewood through a professionally staffed call center. Candlewood
will continue using its ``YO'' chain code after the transition to VIP.
GDS allows travelers, travel agents and travel managers to book rooms electronically -- whether they are using
an online travel site or a sophisticated in-house reservations system.
Reservations can be completed through traditional travel agents or at online travel sites, such as Travelocity.com,
Expedia.com, Trip.com and others.
``We are pleased to provide the premier reservation solution available,'' says VIP Sales VP Rita Emmer, ``particularly
for a company with the market momentum and vision of Candlewood Suites.''
Romeo & Associates helped Candlewood determine their distribution strategy and helped identify the technology
to carry out that strategy.
VIP International Corp. is a wholly owned subsidiary of HARS Systems Inc. VIP is the electronic distribution provider
for more than 3,400 hotels and carrental locations.
Romeo & Associates of Memphis, Tenn., advises the hospitality and call center industries in such areas as distribution
channels, customer relationship management, call center strategy and operational reviews and revenue management.
They also market and custom build software applications for the hospitality and call center industries.
Candlewood Hotel Co. (Nasdaq: CNDL) owns, operates and franchises Candlewood Suites, which targets mid-market business
travelers and others on short- or long-term stays. Chairman and CEO Jack DeBoer, who founded Residence Inn and
co-founded Summerfield Suites in the 1970s and 1980s, founded Candlewood in 1995 and Cambridge Suites in 1998.
He is recognized in the hotel industry as the creator of the extended stay concept. There are nearly 90 Candlewood
Suites open coast-to-coast, with more under construction.
SOURCE: Candlewood Hotel Co.