Spain's Leading Hotel Group partners with MTT to release Android App using latest HTML5 technology.

Sol Meliá has launched a new downloadable mobile app for Android mobile device users. The app, developed by Dublin-based specialist, Mobile Travel Technologies Ltd.(MTT), incorporates the latest HTML5 technology.
 
Android has experienced incredible growth this year. According to Comscore[1] the number of android devices in Europe has jumped 25 fold since April 2009, and Gartner[2] predicts that by the end of 2010 Android will have a larger market share than iPhone.
 
In January 2010, MTT launched Sol Meliá's mobile web site, including booking, which has attracted more than one million hits since its launch, with the majority of users searching for and booking city hotels at the last-minute.
 
The new Android app makes use of the geo-location capabilities of the mobile device, to assist last-minute travellers locate the nearest hotel. With a few easy clicks a customer can locate and book a stay at the hotel nearest to them.
 
The launch of the downloadable Android app consolidates Sol Meliá's position as a leader in both customer service and in offering user-friendly, service-led technology solutions for its guests.

The services, available in both English and Spanish, include:

• Location of the nearest hotel to user's current location;
• Mobile booking;
• View and manage bookings already made;
• Storage of customer details and contact information from previous bookings; Management of mas rewards loyalty program account;
• Exclusive mobile-only promotions.

MTT has also released two light launcher apps for BlackBerry and iPhone at the same time, giving Sol Meliá a presence in all of the leading mobile app stores.
 
 "We wanted to open up access to bookings on mobile phones to our customers regardless of the phone they may have," said David Wright, Vice President of Global Distribution &
E-commerce for Sol Meliá.
 
"At Sol Meliá we focus on delivering personalized service and a unique and unforgettable experience, and we wanted our mobile channel to reflect that commitment. Our partnership with MTT has allowed us to deliver high-quality mobile apps quickly."
 
The apps and mobile services implemented for Sol Meliá are powered by MTT's intelligent mobile hotel platform, m2bed. In addition to providing server-side support for the apps, m2bed also allows customers to access the Sol Meliá mobile site on virtually all mobile devices.
 
MTT's Android services are developed in HTML5.  HTML5 applications can also be quickly and easily configured by MTT to work optimally on iPhone, high-end Nokia devices, and increasing numbers of other devices.
 
Gerry Samuels, Founder and Executive Director, MTT, comments: "Mobile technology is an increasingly important channel for hotel groups all over the world, and companies making the investment in mobile are seeing dramatic returns. We continually invest in our m2bed platform to ensure that it is always modern and configurable and able to deliver new and innovative features and functionality. HTML5 is a key technology for mobile travel, and part of our core expertise. We're delighted to work with a forward looking hotel group like Sol Meliá to deliver up to the minute mobile services."