Pegasus to provide StarCite new transactional capability

Pegasus Solutions, Inc. has signed an agreement to provide its UltraDirect distribution technology to on-demand global meetings management company StarCite Inc..

With this agreement, Pegasus will provide StarCite with electronic connectivity to hotel reservation systems, directly linking the company to Pegasus’ portfolio of more than 78,000 hotel properties. Through the use of this single interface, StarCite can take advantage of real-time access to information on rates, availability and reservations from hotels worldwide.

The deal is an important step for Pegasus in breaking through to non-traditional Alternative Distribution System (ADS) distribution channels, according to Mike Kistner, Pegasus COO and President, Reservation and Distribution Services.

“Expanding into the meetings space is a key component of our overall strategy to open new distribution channels. The meetings market continues to grow and represents a great opportunity for both hotels and travel distributors as an emerging frontier for online bookings. By aligning with the industry leader, we will provide our hotel customers the opportunity to work with the best in breed in the meetings space using connectivity they already utilise today,” said Kistner.

UltraDirect will give StarCite instant access to Central Reservation System (CRS) information. In addition, it will provide an automated solution allowing StarCite and its customers to book online and in real-time for hundreds of thousands of small meetings.

According to Michael Boult, StarCite President and CEO, the complexities associated with group business have caused the meetings industry to struggle to provide buyers and suppliers with frictionless booking capability, and the automation provided by Pegasus will alleviate this strain.