Expedia Signs New Global Agreement With Magnuson Hotels

While many Magnuson Hotels have been available for years on Expedia.com, the new global agreement provides expanded visibility connecting Magnuson’s 1,500 hotels to the more than 50  million visitors who shop for travel each month on over 90 Expedia®- and Hotels.com®-branded sites worldwide as well as through the Expedia Affiliate Network of more than 10,000 active affiliates.
 
Located predominantly in North America with a growing presence in the U.K., Spokane, Wash-based Magnuson Hotels ranks as one of the world’s top 10 global hotel chains.  Magnuson Hotels’ 1,500 independently owned and operated properties range from four- to one-star hotels and resorts, and are located in city centers, suburbs, along interstates and in small towns.
 
“Our goal is to be everywhere, and partnering with Expedia greatly accelerates our ability to achieve that objective. We view Expedia’s global marketplace as one of the most important distribution and marketing channels to participate in,” said Thomas R. Magnuson, CEO of Magnuson Hotels.  “By being in the Expedia and Hotels.com marketplace, our affiliate hotels will be exposed to millions of new customers worldwide on a daily basis that they otherwise would not reach. In addition, Expedia’s revenue management and merchandising tools will help our hotels to reach more people, and better control inventory and pricing.”  Magnuson properties will be available on all Expedia and Hotels.com travel booking sites beginning October 13, with the launch of the new Magnuson Direct global reservation system, added Magnuson.
 
By partnering with Expedia, Magnuson Hotels has given its affiliate hotels access to Expedia’s revenue management and promotional expertise as well as inventory management tools and training opportunities.
 
Speaking to news of the partnership, Melissa Maher, vice president of global strategic accounts and industry relations for Expedia, said, “Partnering with Magnuson greatly expands our selection in secondary and tertiary markets, aligning perfectly with Expedia’s strategy of partnering with well respected brands and independent hoteliers around the world to provide travelers with access to the world’s best selection of lodging options at the best value.”
 
About Expedia, Inc.
Expedia, Inc. is the largest online travel company in the world, with an extensive brand portfolio that includes more than 90 localized Expedia.com®- and Hotels.com®-branded sites; leading U.S. discount travel site Hotwire®; leading agency hotel company Venere.com™; Egencia®, the world's fifth largest corporate travel management company; the world's largest travel community TripAdvisor® Media Network; destination activities provider ExpediaLocalExpert®; luxury travel specialist Classic Vacations®; and China's second largest booking site eLong™. The company delivers consumers value in leisure and business travel, drives incremental demand and direct bookings to travel suppliers, and provides advertisers vast opportunity to reach the most valuable audience of in-market travel consumers anywhere through TripAdvisor Media Network and Expedia Media Solutions. Expedia also powers bookings for some of the world’s leading airlines and hotels, top consumer brands, high traffic websites, and thousands of active affiliates through Expedia® Affiliate Network.  (NASDAQ: EXPE)
 
About Expedia Partner Services Group
Expedia Partner Services Group (PSG) is the central point of contact for travel suppliers to access the global Expedia marketplace of leading travel brands comprising more than 90 points of sale worldwide.  With hundreds of employees in local markets throughout the world, Expedia® PSG makes it easy for suppliers to meet their global distribution objectives, and delivers a portfolio of innovative connectivity solutions, rate and inventory management tools, business intelligence reports, and online marketing expertise.
 
About Magnuson Hotels
Magnuson Hotels, headquartered in Spokane, Wash., has become the world’s largest independent hotel group in only seven years, representing nearly 1,500 hotels and a combined affiliate base with assets in excess of $5.5 billion.  One of the top 10 global hotel chains, Magnuson Hotels was the No. 1 hotel company of Inc. Magazine’s 2009 and 2010 annual ranking of the 5,000 fastest growing privately owned U.S. companies.  With a four-year reservation sales growth rate of 595 percent, Magnuson Hotels is listed in the top 100 U.S. business services companies.  By providing low-cost access to the world’s largest reservation system, Magnuson Hotels has recently added more affiliate hotels with its franchise alternative than eight out of the top 10 branded hotel chains combined.
 
Expedia and Expedia Affiliate Network are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Expedia, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries.  hotels.com is either a trademark or registered trademark of hotels.com, L.P., a subsidiary of hotels.com in the U.S. and/or other countries.  Other logos or product and company names mentioned herein may be the property of their respective owners. © 2010 Expedia, Inc.  All rights reserved.  CST: 2029030-50

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