Hospitality eBusiness Strategies to Present at the Historic Hotels of America Annual Meeting
Important Panel Explores Emerging Channels of Distribution

New York, NY – October 17, 2005 – Hospitality eBusiness Strategies (HeBS), a leading Internet, eMarketing and eDistribution consulting firm for the travel and hospitality industry, announced today that for a third year in a row the firm had been chosen to present and comment on important Internet distribution and marketing issues at the National Trust Historic Hotels of America (HHA) annual meeting. This time HeBS principals will participate in an important panel discussion at the HHA’s annual meeting on Thursday, October 27 at the Heathman Hotel, Portland Oregon.
Max Starkov, Chief eBusiness Strategist and Jason Price, VP Business Development (www.hospitalityebusiness.com) will lead a group of industry and technology experts in a program entitled “Discover New Opportunities for Reservations.” The panel will examine new approaches to increasing revenues through HHA directly and through reservation program partners. Discussions will focus on both online and offline opportunities including emerging channels of distribution and marketing.
HeBS is providing Internet distribution and marketing consulting services to HHA and has been assisting HHA in developing a robust direct online distribution strategy and provide a more powerful and effective channel of distribution to their 218 member hotels throughout the United States and Canada. These services encompass a robust Internet distribution and marketing strategy; HHA website optimization services; search engine marketing and link popularity strategies; online booking technology analysis; and a destination Web strategy. As a result of implementation of this strategy HHA already delivers more value to its member hotels, significantly enhanced visibility on the Web, and drastically increased number of bookings.
"This panel discussion will help clear up much of the confusion among hoteliers about how the Internet and emerging channels of distribution can truly advance hotel interests," commented Starkov. "HHA is a ‘hotel-friendly’ channel of distribution that adds genuine value to member hotel marketing efforts by delivering a unique historic aspect of their message, and enabling hoteliers to maintain control over rates and inventory, in stark contrast to the familiar third-party merchant intermediary models."

“Smart hoteliers are looking to build their Internet marketing expertise, and HHA in partnership with HeBS is determined to become the ‘best practices resource’ for its members," commented Starkov. “This year over 25% of all revenues in hospitality will be generated from the Internet (20% in 2004, 15% in 2003). Another 25% of hotel bookings will be influenced by the Internet, but done offline (call center, walk-ins, group bookings, etc). Many HHA member hoteliers already benefit tremendously from the comprehensive direct online distribution and marketing strategies, developed as a result of the HeBS-HHA partnership.”

Commented Shirley Talbert, director of marketing distribution for HHA, “One goal of our annual meeting and this panel is presenting how these emerging channels can be integrated into hoteliers marketing strategies and implemented in ways to maintain hotelier control and to meet both revenue and occupancy goals, as well as enhancing their market position.”
About HeBS Hospitality eBusiness Strategies, Inc. (HeBS), based in New York City, is a leading Internet distribution and marketing strategy consulting firm for the hospitality and travel verticals. HeBS has pioneered many of the "best practices" in hospitality Internet marketing and direct online distribution. HeBS has extensive experience creating and managing the Internet distribution and marketing strategies for more than 250 hospitality companies, from large brand hotels to small boutique properties. This expertise translates into saving precious marketing dollars for its clients. The firm has integrated the latest research and developments in eCRM, eMarketing and eDistribution into a comprehensive set of Internet-based consulting products and services designed to help hotels increase occupancy rates, open new markets, attract more affluent customers and reduce costs by utilizing the Internet to its fullest potential. Visit www.hospitalityebusiness.com for more information.

About HHA
Founded in 1989 to promote heritage tourism, National Trust Historic Hotels of America is an exclusive program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Historic Hotels of America has identified more than 200 hotels that have faithfully maintained their historic integrity, architecture and ambiance. To be selected for this program, a hotel must be at least 50 years old, listed or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places or recognized locally as having historic significance. Visit www.historichotels.org for more information.

Editorial Contact:
Max Starkov/Jason Price
Hospitality eBusiness Strategies, Inc.
http://www.hospitalityebusiness.com/
14 E. 60th Street, Suite 400
New York, NY 10022
United States
Phone: 212-752-8159
Fax: 212-202-3670
Email: info@hospitalityebusiness.com