The Pulse: Hickory, Amadeus Launch Hotel Program

Why it Rates: Hickory is among the first travel management services company to partner with Amadeus to collaborate on a hotel program. – Claudette Covey, TravelPulse travel agents editor

Hickory Global Partners, a travel management services company providing innovative service, distribution and technology to its network of travel agency and supplier partners, is pleased to announce today that it has entered into a new partnership with Amadeus, a leading technology partner for the global travel industry.

The agreement extends access to Hickory’s two rate access codes – HFH (primary) and EZR (secondary) – to Amadeus customers via Amadeus. 

As a result of this new partnership, Amadeus customers gain access to HICKORY’s renowned hotel program, and, along with it, increased hotel choices for their travel clients plus the many benefits of participation available to agents.  Hickory’s hotel supplier partners gain access to an additional avenue for distribution.  With more agents booking their properties, hotel suppliers are able to grow their revenue.  

The Amadeus/Hickory Hotel Program is a ground-breaking deal on the GDS automation side, with Hickory among the first travel management services companies to partner with Amadeus to collaborate on a hotel program.  Amadeus is able to extend a compelling hotel program offer to Amadeus users.

Furthering both brands, generating business growth

This agreement expands untapped markets for Hickory and Amadeus alike, furthering both brands and helping their respective customer bases, in turn, generate business growth. 

“Agencies in today’s increasingly connected, technology-driven and global travel marketplace need to increase their portfolio of hotel offerings available to their clients in order to remain competitive,” said Chris Dane, president of HICKORY.  “We are pleased to welcome Amadeus customers into our Hotel Program, which features $1 billion+, and growing, in wholly-managed hotel volume across 5,000 cities in 145 countries.”

Dane added that by opting in and enrolling in the hotel program, Amadeus customers have the ability to tap additional hotel rooms in all categories, room stay alternatives that Amadeus customers may not have access to otherwise.  This is the first and only “outside” outlet granting Amadeus customers access to Hickory’s Hotel Program and its extensive list of hotel supplier partners.   

“Amadeus has a long-standing commitment and track record in delivering relevant content to our subscribers and business opportunities for industry suppliers. So we are pleased to enter into this new alliance with Hickory which increases distribution for hotel companies and delivers additional non-GDS hotel content and added value through Amadeus solutions and platforms as we move forward and continue to shape the future of travel together,” said Stephane Durand, chief commercial officer, Amadeus North America.

A shared vision to lead the travel industry forward

By collaborating and cross-utilizing each other’s membership bases, leveraging their expertise, and contributing their additional unique strengths in the travel industry, Hickory and Amadeus, together, are able to offer a larger suite of products and services than either could deliver on its own.  The end result is further travel industry growth.

Amadeus customers are encouraged to click here for additional information about or to enroll in the Amadeus/Hickory Hotel Program.

SOURCE: Hickory press release