Kuwait-based hotel management firm Safir Hotels and Resorts has partnered with Trust International in a move to upgrade its current reservation system to improve the way its customers can complete reservations online.

As Safir’s exclusive reservation service partner, Trust International, the world’s leading CRS provider, will be providing the former with a comprehensive range of distribution solutions.

This will include the implementation of Trust’s industry recognized solution including “yourVoyager” CRS & IBE Trust booker 2.0, as well as connectivity to all GDS and IDS channels including distribution via direct connects and commission payment services.

“The Mena region is an extremely significant market for our business,” said Richard Wiegmann, managing director of Trust International.

“We have worked actively to understand and cater for regional hotel groups and are therefore proud to announce that we are now positioned as the preferred distribution partner for some of the most established and recognized hotel chains in the region.”

“The recent exclusive partnership with Safir Hotels & Resorts confirms this point clearly,” he added.

“We at Safir Hotels and Resorts presently manage 17 hotels in the Mena region and are at a critical juncture of our future growth and development. To have a state of the art distribution and solution package is a key requirement for any growing hospitality management company today,” said Safir CEO Helmut H Meckelburg.

“With almost 20 new projects in the pipeline it is most important for us to have a partner which provides us with the right know how, the right technology the right solutions but most importantly good communication and cooperation to manage this highly competitive segment of distribution channel management.”

“New applications for the end consumer are rapidly changing and for a hotel company to be on top of the development serves ultimately the customer. We have chosen Trust International as partner which we know as one of the leading CRS providers not only in the region but beyond. A customized multi-channel distribution solution paired with a comprehensive service offering was a major element in our decision to select Trust International as our trusted CRS partner.” Meckelburg added.

“Trust will be providing further services starting with the professional implementation, guaranteeing a seamless transition to the Trust system, ongoing support and consulting which will allow Safir to concentrate on growing its business. This is how we understand a partnership with a successful hotel group,” added Heinrich Kessler, Trust International VP sales, EMEA & the Americas.

“With the implementation of Trust, Safir Hotels has reached an important milestone which has somehow been overdue,” said Safir’s CEO Meckelburg.

The next critical step will be the up gradation of the Safir website which will be completed by spring of 2011, he added. – TradeArabia News Service