OpenTravel New Member LinksRez Brings Teetime Access Technology To the Travel Industry
Leads the Golf Industry in Standards Development
“We are thrilled to be working in the golf industry again,” said Valyn Perini, Executive Director of OpenTravel. “The opportunity to serve golf course operators, distribution channels and the individual golfer using quick-to-market and easy-to-implement connectivity standards is huge and it’s great to be a part of the golf distribution supply chain.”
A golf project will get underway within OpenTravel in the fall of 2010 to modify existing messages and create new ones to serve the changing business needs of the golf industry.
LinksRez, who will lead that project team, has developed a direct connect solution using existing OpenTravel’s XML-based golf messages to distribute teetime inventory directly or in combination with hotel and car inventory for dynamic packages. With this capability, pricing integrity and inventory management is controlled by the golf course operator while giving the golfer the ability to search for and book teetimes.
In addition, LinksRez software allows teetimes to be accessed by a host of new distribution channels worldwide to drive revenue to golf courses, hotels and car companies. The technology also creates value for the golfer since its platform allows for use by a range of travel related companies across many distribution channels.
“Our goal is to offer another option for distribution to golf courses and to make teetime inventory available to the travel industry,” said John Tyson, Vice President of Finance and Operations for LinksRez. “We are really excited about the opportunities to partner with companies and provide them with this technology to market and sell their travel products and services.”
Hilton Worldwide is the first hotel company to launch LinksRez’s teetime dynamic packaging tool at six properties:
- La Quinta, California: PGA West & La Quinta Resort & /Club
- Phoenix Arizona: Lookout Mountain, Golf Club & Point Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort
- Tucson, Arizona: El Conquistador Country Club & Hilton Tucson El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort
- Sant Fe, New Mexico: Towa Golf Resort & Hilton Santa Fe Golf Resort & Spa at Buffalo Thunder
- Cancun Mexico: Hilton Cancun Golf Club, Hilton Cancun Golf Resort & Spa,
- Branson, Missouri: Payne Stewart Country Cluband Hiltons of Branson
Additional courses and hotels will be added in 2010.
About the OpenTravel Alliance
The OpenTravel Alliance is passionate about solving the problems inherent with connecting multiple systems within the complex travel distribution arena.
OpenTravel’s mission is to engineer specifications that make data transmission flow smoothly throughout travel, tourism and hospitality. OpenTravel creates, expands and drives adoption of open universal data specifications, including but not limited to the use of XML, for the electronic exchange of business information among all sectors of the travel industry.
With a diversified membership representing influential names in all sectors of the travel industry, OpenTravel is comprised of representatives from airlines, car rental firms, hotels, cruise lines, leisure suppliers, service providers, tour operators, travel agencies, and trade associations. Thousands of message structures are in use, carrying tens of millions of messages between travel trading partners every day. For more information, visit www.opentravel.org.
About LinksRez
Founded in 2006, LinksRez offers a dynamic direct connect inventory environment. LinksRez’s software technology solution is for the travel industry and beyond. The inventory management technology is readily customizable, cost effective, and compatible for use within a wide range of distribution channels. The technology is scalable for businesses large and small that seek to add a direct connect inventory tool for golf or other leisure activities. To learn more about the technology, visit www.linksrez.com.