SCOTTSDALE, DALLAS and LONDON (August 22, 2011) – Hotels participating in the Utell-driven TMC (travel management companies) business have seen up to a 30% increase in revenue year-on-year, according to the latest results revealed by Utell® Hotels & Resorts. Reservations revenue figures have also been consistently performing well ahead of monthly forecasts.

The main driver of this significant boost in revenue is Utell's unique global preferred status with several of the major international TMCs and consortia bringing in high value, and globally generated business travel bookings for member hotels worldwide.

"Utell's key focus is to build on promotional programs with a wide range of international preferred partners to bring maximum business opportunities for our member hotels," said Elaine Kennedy, vice president of global demand sales for Utell Hotels & Resorts. "As a result, this year we have seen a surge in business from emerging markets, such as India and China. This strategy of securing global corporate business, places Utell in a unique position possessing the network and contacts to secure the high-value reservations vital to a hotel's success in today's market."

Anit Popat, director of sales and marketing for the St. Giles Hotel Group said, "Overall we have observed a substantial year-on-year increase in Utell TMC business-to-date across our four properties. Utell is the only representation company that offers an international preferred status with major TMCs, which has been a great driver of corporate business to our hotels. Our London properties have been members of Utell since 1998, and in making a strategic move to enter the US market with our two New York hotels, it was imperative to utilize this proven and successful organization for sales, marketing and representation, which has enabled us to thrive and succeed."

As reported recently in The Pegasus View, business travel is seeing a resurgence as overall economies improve, and as corporate earnings, business trips and conference travel increase. Additionally, the report observed that bookings growth in 2011 will not come at the cost of hotel rates as in previous years – as confirmed by these latest Utell findings.

Kennedy added, "On average, we have observed that length of stay is currently up over last year and the average daily rate is up a massive 17%. The power of Utell's preferred status partnerships and programs with global TMCs and consortia is not to be underestimated. These relationships provide a crucial element in the Utell service – to drive corporate business, which typically delivers higher rate bookings to hotels. These latest results demonstrate that this area of business is an essential part of a hotel's overall revenue generation strategy."

Utell is exhibiting this week at Global Business Travel Association Convention booth #1427.