By Steve Hartridge, published 23/09/20

The Advantage Travel Partnership has announced a tie-up with HBAA – the trade association for the hotel booking agency, apartment and venue community.

It means HBAA’s 225 venue members and over 100 agency members will have access to Advantage’s Global Accommodation Programme, leveraging its preferential rates, while Advantage TMCs will be able to utilise HBAA’s highly rated Code of Practice for Meetings and Events.

Juliet Price, Consultant Executive Director HBAA, said: “ Whilst navigating the disruption to businesses caused by Covid-19, it is critical that both organisations continue to provide new tools, new ways of working and in some cases new platforms for diversification.

“Currently some of our members do not book accommodation for their customers and some Advantage members do not book meetings and events; this partnership will enable new service provisions and maximise business to our partners.

“As we continue to seek out and drive new opportunities for HBAA members and extend the professional standards within the Code of Practice to Advantage members, this is a great time to focus on delivering value to both organisations.”

Julia Lo Bue-Said, CEO of The Advantage Travel Partnership, said the two groups share many common goals.

“Our aspirations are to be working jointly on campaigns and further strengthen our united voice,” she said.

“Every year Advantage, through its global travel network WIN, enrols hotels and other accommodation providers for its Global Accommodation Programme; last year more than 35,000 properties enlisted and as well as stating the number of hotel rooms, meetings and events’ facilities are also detailed. The Programme is an invaluable resource for HBAA members and additionally due to the Advantage and WIN members’ buying power we are able to secure extremely advantageous rates and we are delighted to invite HBAA members to utilise these.”

The partnership will start from October 1 2020.

“As we are imminently launching the RFP for the 2021 programme, it is great timing to open up the ability for more users to capitalise on the content and to offer this to their customers,” said Lo Bue-Said.

“The 2021 programme has a keen focus on flexibility, duty of care, as well as wellbeing of the end guest,” she added.