SiteMinder, the online distribution platform, has followed its $5 million investment windfall with news today that it has become the first global channel manager to forge a two-way connection with India’s biggest travel site, MakeMyTrip.com.
“As India’s leading online travel agent, MakeMyTrip can now be managed by hotels using SiteMinder’s channel management system, adding to the long list of sites we are already connected to around the world,” said Duncan Waterman, SiteMinder’s partnerships manager. “Real-time inventory can now be listed on MakeMyTrip.com and, in turn, bookings from this site can now be delivered automatically back into hotels’ PMS and CRSs, providing a seamless, two-way connection that will bring great benefits to hoteliers keen to reach bigger online audiences such as India.”
With MakeMyTrip.com claiming a 48-per cent share of India’s online travel segment, with 3.5 million customers booking 12,000 flight tickets and 1,000 hotel room nights each day, this deal is likely to be the most important yet for the award-winning Australian company, which is used by accommodation providers over 90 countries.
MakeMyTrip senior vice-president Amit Saberwal, said: “Our partnership with SiteMinder is strategically significant as it establishes two-way connectivity. We see a lot of synergies and a win-win proposition in our mutual association. As the local market leader, we can and will leverage our considerable network to their advantage. ”
Earlier this month, Bailador Investment Management invested $5 million in SiteMinder, a sum that was earmarked for accelerating the platform’s global rollout in Europe, Asia and the Americas.
Mike Ford, SiteMinder’s MD, said of the deal: “Over the past six years, SiteMinder has invested significant capital developing one of the world’s most comprehensive and popular hotel room inventory distribution platforms. We now enjoy a leading market share in the Asia Pacific region and significant traction in key international markets.”
