With Tiscover, Cultuzz has added another important partner to the central database of the "CultSwitch". Cultuzz is thus pursuing a strategy of linking all major distributors as well as regionally important portals directly with the accommodation providers. If an accomodation provider runs a front office system (PMS) that is also connected to the "CultSwitch", room availabilities and prices can be sent directly to Tiscover. Bookings received by Tiscover, are also transferred to the PMS by a direct route. "We always make sure that we do not only transmit information but are also able to receive it. Only in this way a closed information circuit can be created," says Dr Reinhard Vogel, Managing Director of Cultuzz.

With the new interface to Tiscover, Cultuzz Digital Media is showing what completely integrated booking and distribution technology can do. For the first time not only availabilities are transferred to the destination management system of Tiscover but also rates and surcharges or reductions, such as reduced prices for children. Rates dependent on the room occupancy can also be sent and hence managed automatically. Reservations are transferred directly into the PMS of the hotels, guesthouses or holiday apartments. A service such as this is currently unique.

Numerous destinations, particularly those in Austria and Germany, will profit from the new interface between Tiscover and Cultuzz. Destinations have to rely on the connected accommodation providers constantly updating their data. Failure to this presents a risk of insufficient supply, and the attraction of the regional portals will fall. Automatic updating of the offers will now obviate the need for tiresome manual data management. Tiscover's CEO Konrad Plankensteiner recognizes this advantage as well: "Cooperating with Cultuzz offers the hotels and accommodation providers a considerable simplification in regularly updating their information so that it is even easier to appear on www.tiscover.com with up-to-the-minute content and bookable offers."

Tiscover is a leading provider of marketing and technology solutions for the tourism industry and an Internet information and booking portal for leisure tourists. In 2007, Tiscover recorded 410 million page views and over one million enquiries/bookings. Tiscover was founded in 1991 as TIS GmbH and converted into Tiscover AG in the year 2000. In March 2008, Cologne-based HRS - HOTEL RESERVATION SERVICE Robert Ragge GmbH took over a majority holding in Tiscover AG and its subsidiaries in Germany, Italy and the UK.

Cultuzz Digital Media GmbH was founded by Dr Reinhard Vogel in Berlin in the year 2000. It has subsidiaries in Europe, the USA, Australia and India. The company is specialized in online sales and distribution for the hospitality industry and is the global market leader in selling hotel rooms on eBay.

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Cultuzz Digital Media GmbH, Dr Reinhard Vogel
Friedrichstr. 231, 10969 Berlin, Germany
Tel. +49 (30) 726 225-0, Fax +49 (30) 726 225-59
reinhard.vogel <at> cultuzz.com; www.cultuzz.com

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Keywords:
Internet Booking, Hotel Booking, Tiscover, HRS, Cultuzz