The PCI-DSS exists to safeguard customers from fraud and information theft involving online transactions. The rigorous standards dictate 12 specific requirements ranging from firewall configurations to data storage. These standards were founded in 2004 by major credit card companies including Visa, Discover, MasterCard and American Express.

With the certification, Genares and gReserve offer thousands of hotels and their customers a secure CRS with seamless GDS and PMS connectivity. With the percentage of reservations booked online growing every day, Genares recognizes the vital importance of getting ahead of the security curve.

“Security and peace of mind are hallmarks of the hospitality industry, whether that means electronic door locks or a guaranteed wake-up call,” said Genares President Eugene Harris. “Genares extends that security to hotels and their customers online. Certification of gReserve exhibits our commitment to providing not only state-of-the-art tools to manage customer reservations, but also the ability to use them in confidence.”

For more information about Genares and gReserve PCI-DSS compliance, contact Sara Wilkins at swilkins@genares.com or visit the web site at www.genares.com.

About Genares Worldwide Reservation Services
Genares Worldwide Reservations Services Ltd. was launched in 2004 by former Lexington Services Corp. founders and executives. As the first new central reservation system (CRS) to come to market since 1999, Genares’ gReserve web-based CRS and related services are provided on an ASP basis and designed for properties ranging from small independents to large chain hotels worldwide. The lodging industry’s only privately held reservations technology provider created by hoteliers for hoteliers, Genares’ services include: seamless GDS and Internet connectivity, a private-label Internet booking engine, a web-based CRS with two-way XML property management system interfaces, and private-label voice reservations/call center services. Genares is headquartered in the Dallas/Fort Worth suburb of Las Colinas, Texas, and has sales representation worldwide, with offices throughout Europe and Asia. The company is owned by Ricky A. Wilkins, Michael G. Wilkins and Eugene Harris. For more information, visit www.genares.com

“We are excited to partner with one of the most successful GDS technology providers in the world to bring a full suite of internet marketing and CRS tools to a region hungry for growth and revenue expansion,” said Saahil Mehta, Managing Partner of ResNet World.

The Genares platform was developed in 2005 and is considered the fastest-growing reservations service provider in the world. The Genares system is an open-ended platform that is continually upgraded and completely customizable.

“We have developed a truly integrated central reservation system that incorporates the latest technology while simplifying functionality and ease of use,” said Eugene Harris, President of Genares. “We are pleased to partner with ResNet World and feel that this agreement reinforces our reputation as a leading provider of reservations services.”

For more information on Genares, visit their Web site at: www.genares.com. For more information about ResNet World, visit: www.resnetworld.com.

About Genares Worldwide Reservation Services
Genares Worldwide Reservation Services Ltd. was launched in 2004 by former Lexington Services Corp. founders and executives. As the first new central reservation system (CRS) to come to market since 1999, Genares’ gBooker web-based CRS and related services are provided on an ASP basis and designed for properties ranging from small independents to large chain hotels worldwide. The lodging industry’s only privately-held reservations technology provider created by hoteliers for hoteliers, Genares’ services include: seamless GDS and Internet connectivity, a private-label Internet booking engine, a web-based CRS with two-way XML property management system interfaces, and private-label voice reservations/call center services. Genares is headquartered in the Dallas/Fort Worth suburb of Irving, Texas, and has sales representation worldwide, with offices throughout Europe and Asia. The company is owned by Ricky A. Wilkins, Michael G. Wilkins and Eugene Harris. For more information, visit www.genares.com.

I speak to hoteliers on a daily basis and it is no surprise that the main topic of discussion is the existing economic climate and the effects of the current recession on revenues. The good news is that today’s recession will undoubtedly be followed by tomorrow’s economic upturn. So, in today’s climate, hoteliers should work on diversifying their revenue channels to ensure they maintain fair market share as economies rebound and occupancies start to increase.

The single most important way to gain revenue opportunity is through the proper utilisation of the hotel’s Central Reservation System (CRS). Whether your customer wants to book through a travel agent, a thirdparty website, or directly with you, your CRS will provide that capability 24 hours a day. Those who practise well thought out electronic distribution strategies will not only maximise revenue now, but will also position themselves to outperform their competition in the future. Those who delay and react to the economic upturn will be left behind. One of the most important decisions a hotel can make is the selection of their CRS partner. The key word to consider when making this decision is ‘partner’.

A CRS provider must be willing to work with you to ensure revenue opportunities are maximised. This means listening to you, understanding your needs and most importantly, rolling up their sleeves and actually working for you in the electronic reservation market. CRS providers are often guilty of signing hotels, providing them minimal training and then fi ling their paperwork in a drawer. If the most common communication from a CRS provider is in the form of a monthly bill, there is truly something wrong with that partnership.Choosing a CRS provider is not always an easy decision. There are some top tips to ease the selection process in the box opposite, but the most important issue is to ensure that your provider is ready to work for you and earn your business. And don’t forget: this is a buyer’s market. Be willing to pay a fair price, but be clear about what you expect from your provider before you sign a contract. They are the experts, so be willing to rely on them to follow up on the promises they make. Look for companies you trust with your future and always remember…the future is bright!

Hoteliers today are exposed to new internet booking channels on a frequent basis and often find themselves spread thin in their efforts to effectively manage and properly yield these revenue streams.

One of the most important booking channels for your property that is usually overlooked is your very own website booking engine. This channel represents your most profitable booking channel and is the fastest growing revenue stream in the industry today. Every hotel should pay attention to this valuable booking tool and spend the time necessary to ensure it is one of the top producers in revenue.

This year begins a period of economic recovery for our industry as a whole. The climb will not be easy but there is indeed light at the end of this long tunnel.

With this recovery it is very important that hoteliers practice proactive sales techniques now to ensure they maintain their fair share of their respective markets. Focusing on your most profitable booking channel is one step closer to ensuring success in the future.

Identifying the need for a website booking engine is obviously the easy part. Choosing and utilising the right technology among the many options available can on the other hand be more daunting. Here are a few simple guidelines you can follow that will ensure you choose the right solution for your property.

1. Understand first that it is your property that sells a room.
Ensure that your website is rich with content and pictures that will allow you to showcase your property to potential customers. We live in a consumer world that is driven by visual stimulation that in more times than not can be the difference between securing a reservation or losing a potential customer.

2. Ensure that your website is properly marketed on the internet.
Today more than ever it is vitally important that you utilise proper web marketing techniques to ensure that potential customers find your property — even when they are not necessarily looking for it. There are a multitude of options available to you to assist you with web optimisation
techniques. These can range from complete website design servicesthat include SEO services to pay per click web advertising that will enhance your current site’s placement in search engines.

3. Make your booking engine accessible on your website.
Make sure your booking engine is visible on every page of your website. A clearly visible booking engine on every page of your website will increase your chances of receiving a booking at your property.

4. Don’t pay more than you should for your booking engine.
There is always a ‘balancing act’ that takes place between quality and cost when it comes to your booking engine. As stated earlier, your property and the quality of your website are very important factors in this channel’s success. Once a guest clicks on the ‘book now’ button you want their mind already made. This translates to choosing a booking engine that visually compliments your website and is easy to navigate. If the potential customer’s mind is already made up and your booking engine is easy to use, then the reservation is much more likely to be made. This means that you don’t have to pay thousands of dollars to develop or purchase an overpriced technology. Look for options that will cost a low, fixed price per booking or similar and focus the majority of resources on getting customers to your site first.

5. Don’t be afraid to let the experts help you with web marketing.
Not everybody is an expert in web marketing techniques. There are many options available to hoteliers, at many different price levels, to assist with the web marketing process. If you feel you are lacking in this area then find a fair priced solution for your property that will ensure you maximise the revenue associated with this channel.

6. Be bookable at every step
Once the potential customer is ready to book, it is crucial that they find the ‘book a room’ option with ease to complete the process, otherwise they could easily venture to another site which will cost you.

CGS Infotech has received ISO 9001:2000 certification and offers comprehensive website design and optimization packages at many levels.   CGS Infotech’s mission is to “Create a New Level of Success” for its clients and partners worldwide.

Rubicon satisfies its customers’ need for Competitive Rate, Demand Analysis and Display Position information through its MarketVision® product. Rubicon offers the broadest and deepest collection of market information in the travel industry today.

The tool is extremely user friendly and provides a simple way for users to compare rates of their competitors and stay competitive within their market share.  ResNet World for will serve as the only authorized dealer of AnyRate in the Middle East and India regions.

They are the leading company in the consortia market, and in 2005 managed over 450,000 RFP responses on behalf of more than 30,000 hotels.

The Genares platform was developed in 2005 in the United States and is considered the fastest growing reservation service provider in the world. In addition, ResNet world will have full access to the Genares booking engine which is considered by industry experts to be one of the best booking engines available in the market today. The Genares system is an open-ended platform that is continually upgraded according to client and industry analysis.