One of the largest accommodation brokers on the Internet, hotelguide.com, has announced that online reservations and user account access is now available via mobile Internet devices. The widely used service, wap.hotelguide.com, allows "on the road" users to access user account details as well as search and check availability before making an online booking direct from their Internet enabled mobile phone or PDA. Confirmation details are then stored electronically and may be accessed from the user's account at hotel check-in if necessary. An emulated version of the service can be viewed at: http://www.hotelguide.com/html/mobile/mob_internet.cfm.

"The development of our user account system is very exciting" says Rolf Marti, VP of Business Development at hotelguide.com, "as it allows users to switch from their pc to mobile device. For example, a user makes a booking at their desk before traveling. While on the move if they need to modify or cancel their booking via mobile phone, it can immediately be accessed through their hotelguide.com account. Booking details can be found and by either contacting the hotel directly or using the online procedure, the necessary change can be made. It's as simple as that for the user."

Likewise a traveler whilst traveling can easily access hotel information from over 65,000 hotels worldwide, find out where rooms are available, check price and room details and then swiftly make a booking on the spot. "More and more consumers demand the ability to make instantaneous travel arrangements," says Mr Marti, "and our hotel partners increasingly want to access to their services via the most convenient technology media."

An early player in mobile Internet development, hotelguide.com first delivered its directory and search facility to mobile phones in 1999. Launching this final stage of hotelguide.com's m-commerce strategy is crucial for improving the accessibility to its widely acclaimed web site and offering m-commerce market a comprehensive and value-added service. Since 1999, progress within the industry and at hotelguide.com has been remarkable, and major players are looking for high quality content providers of electronic and mobile solutions.

hotelguide.com's services are recognized worldwide, and as a pioneer in the mobile Internet arena, the company has quickly forged relationships with the major system providers and operators including Ericsson, Nokia, Orange, Telia, Telenor, Viag Interkom, Swisscom, Sunday and New World.

And not content to sit back following this launch, hotelguide.com has already begun development work into new technology opportunities to further meet its m-commerce goals. To name a few the company hopes to develop multimedia messaging services, maps, and photos to add value to its service. WAP Push for promotions and an Affiliate programme for revenue share partners are also under consideration. "hotelguide.com has welcomed the role of pursuing all opportunities that new technology might offer," says Mr Marti. "The progress of our Mobile Internet is indeed no exception and we expect to see many more exciting developments in the near future."

About the Author

hotelguide.com is one of the world' most comprehensive and powerful accommodation brokers within the electronic and mobile commerce environment.

The hotel database consists of more than 65000 hotels in 200 countries worldwide. In addition to extensive US, Asian and South American listings, hotelguide.com's European listings are unmatched on the web.

The web site offers business and leisure travelers, travel agents and corporate travel planners secure online reservations, detailed hotel information, geo-mapping, currency converter, and more. A wide range of partner websites including shellgeostar.com, sina.com, bluewin.com, ebookers.ch and handbag.com uses their well-respected affiliate program.

hotelguide.com has also been at the forefront of the Mobile Internet technology. They have partnered with Ericsson and Nokia and have established contracts with wireless operators worldwide.

hotelguide.com was established in 1991 (formerly The Hotel Guide) and is based in Sursee/Lucerne, Switzerland.

For more information, contact:

Rolf Marti

ph: +41 / 41 925 15 30

rolf.marti@hotelguide.com

Ruth Hyde

ph: +41 / 41 925 15 68

ruth.hyde@hotelguide.com