Expedia Partner Solutions to endorse 30 tech partners in new elite programme

The Certified Technology Partner Program will be officially launched today during the Travel Technology Europe trade show in London.

Expedia Partner Solutions (EPS) has launched an elite scheme for top technology partners globally.

The Certified Technology Partner Program will be officially launched today during the Travel Technology Europe trade show in London.

EPS said it will provide increased resource investment to further expand its technology partners’ business and become one of EPS’ most trusted tech platforms globally.

Over the next year, EPS will select up to 30 top global technology partners to join its Certified Technology Partner Program.

Prospective tech partners must meet three key criteria:

• map at least 90% of EPS’s supply;
• integrate EPS’ versatile API, EPS Rapid; and
• meet EPS’ launch requirements.

In addition to Expedia Group hotel supply of more than 500,000 varied accommodations, certified technology partners will receive dedicated weekly tech support, and EPS’ partner services team will review the tech partner’s integration every year to make sure they continue to be optimised.

Fritz Oberhummer, EPS director, account management platforms, EMEA and LATAM, said: “The Certified Technology Partner Program is a really exciting opportunity for us to recognise our top technology partners.

“Expedia Group invests more than $1 billion in tech innovation every year, and we are delighted to share our expertise with our most valued technology partners.

“With the additional support from EPS, our certified technology partners will be able to launch their own client partnerships much faster – we have already seen a halving of launch times among test-phase certified technology partners.

“There are more than 360 travel technology companies around the world and our certified technology platform partners are a shortlist of what we consider to be the best platforms available. Platforms only achieve EPS certification if they meet our strict criteria for tech partner support and technical expertise –  it’s essentially a quality stamp of approval.

“Travel companies can rest assured that if they collaborate with one of our certified technology partners, their business will be in good hands.”

Expedia said certified technology partners will be able to increase brand exposure by working with EPS at industry trade shows, benefit from a listing across a range of EPS channels and support from its marketing team.

In addition, EPS’ partner services team will work closely with the technology partners to ensure they have mapped the right hotels and are offering the right rates for their end travellers. Partners will also have the opportunity to influence EPS’ product roadmap by participating in EPS’ Think Tank events.

Radu Ciubotaru, director of business development, wbe.travel one of ten certified partners that have been involved in a test phase, said: “At wbe.travel, we focus on using the latest technologies for all our back-end modules and databases.

“Becoming one of EPS’s certified technology partners allows us to really stand out from our competitors.

“We are proud to have been recognised as one of EPS’s most valued technology partners and to be showcasing the EPS certified logo on our website. We are also benefiting from collaborating commercially with EPS to reach new audiences.”

EPS currently has ten certified technology partners, which have been part of a ‘test and learn’ phase. EPS aims to double this number in 2019 now the program has officially launched.