SOLMELIA.COM

The Sol Meliá website continues to improve in line with efforts to ensure that the excellence of Sol Meliá service is perceived from the very first contact with the company. In 2008 the online image was improved by using the latest trends in design and technology and incorporating more precise information, better organised and adapted to the needs of the users..

Well aware that the information on individual hotels in one of the greatest assets of the online sales channel, in 2008 there were 25 new websites of hotels implemented to offer users direct and in-depth information about the hotel and its services, while also improving the presence of the hotels on the web. In order to get to know its customers better, the local strategy of solmelia.com in the Americas has also continued to develop with excellent results. The creation of the new Romance by Meliá website to promote the services of the brand, the Social Networking strategy, and the sponsorship of important events and activities have helped to raise awareness about the company on an international level.

These efforts and improvements have been reflected in sales. In 2008 website sales grew for the seventh successive year, with an increase of 10% in sales and 4.5% in roomnights with respect to the previous year. The web generated revenues of more than 126 million euros, a figure that includes only individual reservations and does not include corporate reservations or bookings made by intermediaries.

With 40 million visits a year, the website has become a point of reference for the European tourism industry.

TOUR OPERACIÓN (TTOO)

Contracting at Sol Meliá in a centralised function involves the planning, negotiation, signature and monitoring of contracts between the company and international tour operators. In 2008, 26,000 contracts were signed, generating revenues of 431 million euros.

Contracting is supported by an ambitious marketing and promotion programme which includes private meetings, road show and workshop presentations and stands at major travel and tourism trade fairs.

• In 2008 Sol Meliá organised 32 road shows in countries including Spain, Germany and Russia, the USA and Canada.
• Sol Meliá carried out door-to-door visits in Spain, Portugal, Italy, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Poland, Switzerland and the USA, Canada and Latin America.

Trade Fairs

Trade fairs are one of the most effective marketing tools and they are also an ideal forum for understanding the market and the latest trends in the industry. In a short period of time a large amount of information can be obtained and market share won. They are the perfect place for contacting regular clients and for capturing new ones.

In 2008, Sol Meliá took part in 19 tourism trade fairs in 12 countries throughout the world.

MEETING SOL MELIA (MSM)

Meeting Sol Meliá (MSM) was created by Sol Meliá in 2003 and developed over recent years to cover all of the activities related to the product, service and teams in the conventions, incentives and events segment.

Sol Meliá has incorporated its best hotels from all over the world for hosting events, meetings and incentives under the name “MSM hotels”. Clients can choose their destination, a specific hotel location, preferred characteristics or required room space from a total of 96 hotels throughout the world. All of them are listed in an exclusive directory and are also accessible via the web page www.solmelia.com.

The MSM sales force is present in more than 13 countries with key account managers to manage key accounts and MSM account managers with a clear focus on capturing new business in the conventions, congresses and incentives segment (CCI). Meeting Sol Meliá has been awarded the prestigious international certifications “CMP” –Certified Meeting Planners and “CMM” –Certified Meeting Managers.

This is reinforced by sales management in Corporate Headquarters managing commercial relations and operations act as a link between the hotels and the small and medium sized accounts that request groups and events.

TRADYSO

Tradyso was created with the objective of becoming the best multi-channel distribution service for hotels worldwide, developing applications which allow constant competitive innovation in hotel distribution systems and thus providing extra value to clients.

The new hotel distribution platform is 50% owned by Sol Meliá and 50% by Talonotel and has been in operation since September 2007, operating two brands, Idiso which includes booking technology through several different distribution channels for hotels and Dobleroom, a central reservations system for travel agents.

Tradyso is a flexible system which will enjoy guaranteed development in the future. The distribution services Tradyso offers to hotels include the possibility of private label call centre services, a website booking engine, access to GDS, and full integration in the booking systems used by the most important travel agency networks and online travel portals. The multi-lingual service and systems are available both for individual travellers and travel agents and all at a variable cost.

Tradyso’s main services are:

• Access to global hotel distribution services.
• Control of prices, availability and sales channels
• Flexible “a la carte” services

Tradyso’s reservation system is based on centralised management of inventory, availability and room allotment, all under strict sales rules and policies.