Hotel Electronic Distribution Network Association (HEDNA)

Travel Industry Distribution committee
San Diego Meeting Minutes

Joe and Fran were the meeting coordinators. We started with Fran reading the committee description.

Afterwards, an open session of brainstorming committee ideas ensued:

Group suggested holding a Travel Agency Executive Panel in London. Discussion on whether to include executives versus directors and managers, also high level only versus some knowledge of operations. Fran said BOD strives to have executives, so we can attract some higher profile people to HEDNA meetings. Suggestions included top executives from TMCs, Mega agencies, consortia call centers?, such as Navigant, Paula Baton of Carlson, THOR, ASTA, and Europe's GBTA. Topics might be 1 to 3 year plans, trends in the agency (e.g. Internet access, mandatory bookings via GDS, etc.)
Tiffany Topcik suggested that perhaps we should revisit the Rate and Availability integrity for GDS versus Internet. Since Airlines are actively discounting via Orbitz and Internet, it seems hotels will do the same.
Prepare a reference tool of how information is listed/updated with online agencies. Influence them to certain standards? When/how often, how effective, switchovers, etc.
Tiffany also suggested setting standards for the RFP/RFI companies, such as Nexus, RFP Express, Lanyon RFT, NBTA. We could validate their process and provide information to HEDNA on these companies.
From the Consortia: Set Standards for Agencies for being in only 1 consortia program, must be a signed contract as well as Consortia Switchovers, where consortia must release the IATA from their participation lists (dual rep for Consortia, but this exists today. allowed by precedence)
Sol Melia asked if GDSs can track and/or transmit a field for Consortia indicator. Starwood agreed that tracking Consortia business is a challenge. Request of Sabre to expand our Channel ID project to include a Consortia code. John Walker mentioned that GDS' currently transmit IATA, Rate Code/Product ID, CD #, which should assist in tracking which consortia rate was booked. Also suggested that sourcing a Consortia indicator would be a challenge. say, trying to obtain it from the TJR would be a challenge, as agencies don't maintain this. have a hard time even getting and keeping telephone numbers updated.
Educate hotels on "what is an agency" -- Online? Home office? Fran suggested that we could write the curriculum, and she would like to be involved. She suggested educating hotels on the value of consortia, e.g. even credit for booking other rates, like promotional. John Walker suggested that this work should be handed over to the Curriculum Committee to avoid duplicate effort. Fran and Joe suggested we could form a sub-committee to propose topics to be covered. Volunteers included Fran, John Walker, and Tiffany Topcik.
Jan Dwire suggested that we should hear more about the online Corporate booking tools, perhaps have a panel with representatives from GetThere and others. Have them speak on future distribution, adoption rate, etc.
Joe suggested that we have some information available on legal guidelines on marketing to agencies. Cited scenario where using broadcast fax was prohibited.
More discussion on "redefining the travel agency": Internet, corporate booking tools, res. canters vs. virtual agent, Number of affiliations, perhaps some white papers
Someone suggested trends of commission. Joe said this is likely not appropriate topic for HEDNA.
Fran suggested that agencies/consortia should have a seat on the Board. This might motivate more agencies to participate in HEDNA. She said many dropped when the membership was reduced to Principle and Allied, which increased the agency's membership from $250 to $1,250. She said several agency groups were upset.
John Walker suggested that it would be good to have more hotel industry participants on this committee.
Fran asked for a volunteer for the co-captain with Joe. No one volunteered, so Joe selected Janet Kato White, from Halekulani Hotels and Resorts.