InterContinental Hotels Group has today inducted The AOT Group as a preferred online distributor, having certified the leading travel agency as compliant with its Internet distribution standard.

The AOT Group has joined the growing community of online travel companies that have chosen to work with InterContinental Hotels Group upon the implementation of its global Third Party Intermediaries standard.

As a certified agent, The AOT Group is now authorised to sell retail inventory via Needitnow.com and Travelmate.com from the world's largest portfolio of hotel rooms among more than 3,500 hotels and resorts, under brands including InterContinental, Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn.

InterContinental Hotels Group is committed to partnering with distributors and affiliates that always engage in clear marketing practices, respect the Group's trademarks, ensure reservations are guaranteed through an automated and common confirmation process, and clearly present fees to consumers. It has stipulated that it will now work only with third party online distributors that meet the standard.

"The AOT Group's certification is especially significant for our hotels across Australia and New Zealand, and we are delighted to introduce them as a certified online distribution partner. This is an ongoing certification process for online distribution partners around the world and we are confident that more online distributors will come on board to support this," said InterContinental Hotels Group Regional Director of Sales and Marketing for Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific, Jolyon Bulley.

The AOT Group Managing Director - Inbound, Cinzia Burnes, added, "We are delighted to be associated with the InterContinental Hotels Group and this is a very significant partnership to us. The certification is another relevant step for The AOT Group which will strengthen our on-line presence and support our long term strategy."