Expedia enters into partnerships with BedandBreakfast.com, Kimpton Hotels

Online travel company Expedia, Inc. has announced an exclusive and long-term relationship with BedandBreakfast.com, an online bed and breakfast Internet directory and reservation network with detailed information on 6,000 B&Bs and inns throughout the US and internationally, for additional lodging offerings.

Expedia has also long-term agreement with Kimpton Hotels, which gives Expedia direct connectivity so it can provide customers with greater access to Kimpton inventory and rates. Stressing on travel marketing, Kimpton said the deal provides it benefits such as exposure and publicity.

Expedia will begin featuring BedandBreakfast.com’s inventory across the Expedia and Hotels.com web sites, delivering “unprecedented” traveler access to B&Bs, as well as unmatched exposure for these smaller properties. This relationship will make BedandBreakfast.com the exclusive B&B aggregator for Expedia, Inc. and Expedia will be the B&B provider’s exclusive online travel agent.

Dan Proctor, vice president, specialty lodging, Expedia, Inc. said this deal brings an expanded selection of unique lodgings in destinations such as Napa Valley, Cape Cod and Newport, RI, that are primarily served by B&Bs, which were previously unavailable on any other large online travel site.

According to an official statement, Expedia and BedandBreakfast.com will be seamlessly linked for rates, availability and bookings. “Now, small properties will be able to easily sell through the Expedia Web sites and gain access to a large audience of consumers without adding a lot of work at the property level. Properties will be able to manage content, rates and availability for all of Expedia’s Web sites in one place on BedandBreakfast.com. Unlike programmes offered by other online travel companies, BedandBreakfast.com’s Online Reservation Manager was designed specifically to meet the needs of small properties,” stated the company.

On deal with Kimpton, Expedia shared that this unique partnership gives it preferred access to Kimpton properties in key areas such as San Francisco, Chicago, Seattle, New York and Washington D.C., among other locations. Kimpton is expanding rapidly, expecting to add several new hotels this year and likely doubling in size over the next five years.

The direct connect technology allows Expedia access to suppliers’ central reservation systems, creating a faster transaction, more accurate bookings and more accurate pricing. Now Expedia can operate more efficiently, bringing value and convenience to its customers, it stated.

“This partnership with Expedia gives us the exposure and publicity we wouldn’t otherwise have. By utilising the Internet channel in this way, we reach a greater audience and can provide great service to a wider range of travelers,” said Kimpton’s senior vice president of sales and marketing, Steve Pinetti.