Expedia announced the launch of the Expedia® Rate and Inventory Channel Management Certification Program, making it easier for hoteliers to manage their rates and inventory across Expedia's global network of leading travel brands.

The new program is the latest example of Expedia's technology leadership and continued commitment to streamlining hoteliers' access to its sites.

"Expedia approaches connectivity solutions for small and large hotels, chains and independent properties in a scalable manner," said Dean Gregory, senior director of hotel systems connectivity at Expedia, who is speaking on the connectivity technology panel session at the EyeforTravel Distribution Technology conference this week in London. "The Certification Program makes it easy for independent properties and small-to-medium sized hotel chains to achieve maximum efficiency in managing their rates and inventory with Expedia, which, for many hotels, serves as the single largest channel for bookings."

By awarding certification, Expedia is able to assure its partners that the channel management and rate allocation tools they use are compatible with Expedia's mix of inventory and pricing models.

"Establishing a direct relationship between Expedia and our RateTiger suite of online distribution management tools has created a compelling solution for our clients," said Reuel Ghosh, CEO, eRevMax, the leading hotel revenue management company that created RateTiger. "Expedia continues to impress the travel community with innovative technologies that demonstrate why it is the leading online travel agent in the world."

The Channel Manager Certification Program is the latest in a series of enhancements Expedia has made to its portfolio of hotel connectivity solutions. Last June, the company launched Expedia QuickConnect™, which addresses the needs of independent and small-to-medium sized hotel chains by enabling the exchange of rates, availability and booking information through a direct connection with Expedia. With the launch of Expedia QuickConnect, Expedia became the first online travel agency to offer an open API for hotels.

In just the first six months since launching Expedia QuickConnect, hotels in 23 countries and operating on 28 different reservations systems, have established a direct connection to Expedia using Expedia QuickConnect. More than 80 percent of these hotels are located throughout Europe, including Spain's Barcelo Hotels & Resorts, which has seen a more than 40 percent increase in its gross room night bookings since implementing Expedia QuickConnect™ for 25 of its properties.

A number of North American hoteliers have also achieved positive results since establishing a direct connection via Expedia QuickConnect™. California-based Good Nite Inns with 12 hotels, deployed Expedia QuickConnect™ through Mirage PMS and has since seen a 7.5 percent increase in room night production.

Having also completed deployments for chains and independent properties in China, Australia, Morocco, Romania and Mozambique, Expedia QuickConnect™ has proven its mettle on a truly global scale.