Agoda Company Inks Distribution Partnership With 119 Barcelo Hotels & Resorts

Singapore (PRWEB) June 22, 2007 -- Agoda Company, an independent online travel company that specializes in securing the lowest hotel prices in Asia and around the world, today announced a strategic distribution agreement with all 119 Barcelo Hotels & Resorts around the world, representing Barcelo's first distribution partnership in Asia.

Barcelo Hotels & Resorts and its affiliates own, manage, franchise and/or lease over 119 hotels in 15 countries across four continents, including hotels in Spain and Turkey as well as countries such as Mexico, Costa Rica and the http://www.agoda.com/europe/spain.html) . It is expected that collaboration with Agoda will further enhance its market coverage in order to compete with more established brands.

">Dominican Republic (http://www.agoda.com/europe/spain.html) . It is expected that collaboration with Agoda will further enhance its market coverage in order to compete with more established brands.

Sarah Despradel, Barcelo's Director of e-Distribution & Revenue Management, stated, "We are delighted to partner with Agoda Company, as their reputation and reach are quite impressive in promoting hotel properties within Asia (http://www.agoda.com/asia.html) and around the world region. We also chose Agoda for its multi-language service center that opens the brand to new possibilities."

Despradel went on to say, "Gaining access to Agoda's consumer base allows us to extend our members' reach in this competitive market, which is driven more by brand recognition. However, this does not always mean the consumer is getting the best value. We are therefore confident in the properties of our members and believe Agoda will help foster decisions based on value rather than just price alone."

According to Wilfred Fan, Agoda Company's Vice President, Business Development, the company believes continually adding top properties to its network is of paramount importance in order to reach more consumers.

"Agoda is the ideal partner for Barcelo Hotels & Resorts in reaching out to the Asian market. Our customers rely on our expertise to source reliable and high quality service providers while having peace of mind when booking through Agoda.com. Our rewards program helps Barcelo compete with international hotel chains even when they do not have a global presence."

Fan added, "We remain committed and have never wavered in offering the best available rates at the best properties regardless of the nature of one's trip."

During the launch of the new partnership, selected Barcelo properties throughout the world booked through Agoda will earn double Rewards Points through the company's innovative loyalty program, which allows repeat customers to earn points for additional discounts and free stays at any of their 27,000-plus properties worldwide.

For more information regarding Agoda, please access its website at www.agoda.com.

About Barcelo Hotels & Resorts

Barceló Hotels & Resorts and its affiliates own, manage, franchise and/or lease over 119 hotels in 15 countries across four continents, including 37 properties in the United States.

From an exclusively vacation company, owning all of its hotels, the company has moved on to be -- above all -- a hotel managing enterprise of both vacation and business hotels, open to new partnerships and strategic alliances and taking in new ways of association, such as franchising.

In addition, the company owns 338 travel agencies and has an equity interest in one of Europe's leading travel groups, First Choice Holidays. Additional information about Barceló is available at the company's website: barcelo.com.

Barceló Corporación Empresarial -- parent company of Barceló Hotels & Resorts -- is based in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. Barceló Corporación Empresarial has been 100 percent owned by the Barceló family and has been run by three generations of family members.

About Agoda Company

Agoda is an independent online travel company that specializes in securing the lowest discount hotel prices. Based in Singapore with operations in Bangkok and the Philippines, Agoda's network includes 7,000 hotels in Asia and more than 27,000 worldwide. The staff of 160 professionals provides a first-rate reservation service that uniquely combines local knowledge and local connections to provide the best hotel deals to both business and leisure travelers.

Since 1997, Agoda Company has handled hotel bookings for more than 500,000 customers. Precision Reservations.com, PlanetHoliday.com, and hundreds of other internet sites use Agoda to provide hotel reviews and content, hotel inventory, pricing, fulfillment and 24/7 live support.

In addition, Agoda customers participate in the Agoda Rewards Program, earning further discounts and free stays.

Launched in 2003, it was one of the first hotel loyalty programs offered by an independent online merchant. Unlike programs that limit travelers to a single chain, the Agoda Rewards Program allows customers to redeem Rewards Points at any hotel, at any time.

A member of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), Agoda's aim is to promote travel by making it more affordable and more accessible to more people.

###