Choice Hotels International is launching the Group Management Platform, an online reservation tool to make planning and booking group travel at its hotels easier.
Through a new portal on ChoiceHotels.com, guests can make reservations for groups, review details at a glance, select various payment options, confirm reservations, send customized emails inviting guests to book and make room modifications at any time. The Group Management Platform is available to members of the Choice Privileges loyalty program who are looking to book 10 rooms or more.
“Choice is dedicated to streamlining the booking process across all channels,” Chad Fletcher, VP of global sales, Choice Hotels, said in a statement. “When we received feedback from guests about group planning and booking, we listened and innovated with proprietary technology to meet their travel needs. The new Group Management Platform provides a seamless and centralized solution for group travel planners, giving them the ability to reserve, manage and plan group reservations with ease.”
When a room block is booked online, Choice Privileges members now receive an email confirmation with a custom link to the platform on ChoiceHotels.com, where they can:
- Easily manage group reservations: The system provides a quick overview of room confirmations, room availability for each night of the event, estimated price totals and room hold policies, along with the exact date the remaining rooms will be released back into inventory.
- Invite guests to book: It sends customized email invitations for guests to book and confirm their reservations within minutes.
- Modify reservations in real time: It allows the organizer to modify their booking details at any time, day or night.
The Group Management Platform simplifies what has traditionally been a complicated process for travel planners coordinating accommodations for events, such as weddings, sports tournaments, family outings, business meetings and more. It also allows Choice Privileges members to earn rewards, including bonus points, airline miles or credits for premium coffee and shared rides through the Your Extras program, in addition to exclusive member rates when booking direct through ChoiceHotels.com. Along with the Group Management Platform, travel agents will now be able to book commission-eligible groups on ChoiceHotels.com.