Connect Worldwide News
The Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau has selected Connect-Worldwide Mexico as their representation company.
After a close selection process The Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau appointed Connect-Worldwide Mexico to provide a dedicated team in Mexico to continue to develop and grow Houston as a destination from Mexico.
“Connect-Worldwide has shown us that it has the experience, knowledge and drive to ensure that Houston is well positioned within the Mexico market. We have high expectations” commented Franz Jorge, Vice President of Tourism Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau. Connect-Worldwide’s President and CEO, Eric Otto added. “Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau is a great addition to our client base in Mexico and I know our team will ensure that we do not disappoint.”
Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA, Connect-Worldwide has sales and marketing operations in 40+ countries around the world. Connect-Worldwide develops, manages and implements international sales and marketing solutions for hotel and travel companies and destinations around the world.
August 12th, 2008
The Nevada Commission on Tourism today announced the appointment of Connect-Worldwide as their representation company in South Korea with immediate effect. Connect-Worldwide will be utilizing the experience of their team to help continue the development of Nevada’s image within the Korean market.
Tourism Director, Tim Maland, commented, “With the growth from Korea to the USA and its expected inclusion in the visa waiver program, we will be making sure that Nevada is getting its share of that growth and correctly positioning the Nevada brand in the Korean market.”
On the addition of Connect-Worldwide’s second destination management client, CEO and President, Eric Otto said, “With the addition of another very experienced sales and marketing manager to our team in Korea, MJ Lee, who spent 19 years with United Airlines in Korea, we are confident that we will continue to develop Nevada as a destination for Koreans. We are excited about the addition of Nevada Commission on Tourism as a Connect-Worldwide client.”
Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA, Connect-Worldwide has sales and marketing operations in 40+ countries around the world. Connect-Worldwide develops, manages and implements international sales and marketing solutions for hotel and travel companies and destinations around the world.
July 2nd, 2008
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority today announced a significant expansion to its international sales and marketing team with the appointment Connect-Worldwide International Inc. as its General Sales Agency (GSA) in two key growth markets. This appointment is Connect-Worldwide’s first entry in the destination management representation field.
Connect-Worldwide's highly experienced team of sales and marketing experts will represent Las Vegas in South Korea and India. South Korea with its direct flight to Las Vegas and its expected inclusion in the visa waiver program will be an important feeder market for Las Vegas. India is an awakening giant in the travel industry and as such will be a strong focus for Las Vegas over the coming years.
"We are very excited to be working with Connect-Worldwide's global team. This is an important first step to develop our brands in these important markets and expanding our international distribution", said John Bischoff, Vice President of International Brand Strategy of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.
On their appointment, Eric J Otto, President and CEO of Connect-Worldwide says, “We are extremely delighted to be representing Las Vegas in these developing international markets. The Las Vegas brand is a lifestyle brand known around the world and we are honored to have been selected by the most exciting and recognizable brand in travel.”
Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA, Connect-Worldwide has sales and marketing operations in 40+ countries around the world. Connect-Worldwide develops, manages and implements international sales and marketing solutions for hotel and travel companies and destinations around the world.
July 1st, 2008
Connect-Worldwide Benelux awarded Affiliate of the YearToday, at the global Connect-Worldwide Global Affiliate Conference held in Las Vegas, President and CEO Eric Otto awarded Tim and Desiree Diets, Managing Directors of Connect-Worldwide Benelux with the Affiliate of the Year Award for outstanding performance during the year 2007. This special award is a reflection of their dedication to the Connect-Worldwide clients.
Jaywon Sung, Managing Directors of Connect-Worldwide South-Korea, Cecilia Tee Managing Directors of Connect-Worldwide Greater China and Maurico Gonzalez Managing Directors of Connect-Worldwide Mexico received the 2007 Client Sales awards. Kevin Brett Managing Director of Connect-Worldwide UK and Fernando Campodonico Managing Director of Connect-Worldwide Peru received the special achievement awards for their outstanding performances in 2007. The Global Affiliate Conference was attended by more than 65 Affiliates and Clients from around the globe.
July 1st, 2008
It is with great pleasure that we announce the appointment of Derek Shanks as Chief Operating Officer of Connect-Worldwide. Derek will be reporting to Eric J. Otto, President and CEO of Connect-Worldwide.
Derek will be charged with the management and growth of existing and new accounts. In addition he will be charged with diversifying the account base of Connect-Worldwide.
Derek has extensive experience in travel sales and marketing representation and most recently served as President of Discover the World Marketing, a travel sales and marketing representation firm with a global network in more than 50 countries.
Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA, Connect-Worldwide has sales and marketing operations in over 40 countries around the world. Connect-Worldwide develops, manages and implements international sales and marketing solutions for hotel, car rental and other travel related companies as well as destination marketing organizations around the world.
January 1st, 2008
Enterprise Rent-A-Car adds twelve additional Connect-Worldwide sales operations.
Enterprise Rent-A-Car, announced today the appointment of Connect-Worldwide International Inc. as its General Sales Agency (GSA) in twelve additional markets across Latin America, Asia and Europe.
Connect-Worldwide's highly experienced team of specialist agents will represent the 6900 offices strong Enterprise Rent-A-Car brand in markets including Chile, Colombia, Honduras, Peru, Venezuela, Hungary, Portugal, Scandinavia, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and South Africa.
August 28th, 2007
Enterprise Rent-A-Car, North America’s largest rental car company, partners with Connect-Worldwide for international sales development.
Enterprise Rent-A-Car, announced today the appointment of Connect-Worldwide International Inc. as its General Sales Agency (GSA) in twelve markets across Latin America, Asia and Europe.
Connect-Worldwide's highly experienced team of specialist agents will represent the 6900 offices strong Enterprise Rent-A-Car brand in markets including Mexico, The Caribbean, Brazil, Benelux, France, Italy, Spain, Hong Kong, China, Korea, Japan and Australia. In addition starting January 2008, twelve additional markets will be added.
"We are very excited to be working with Connect-Worldwide's global team. This is an important step to market our brand to travel agents and tour operators in these large markets and expanding our international distribution", said Ronald S. Cerko, Vice President of Travel Industry Sales at Enterprise Rent-A-Car.
On their appointment, Eric J Otto, President and CEO of Connect-Worldwide says, “We are excited to partner with the largest rental car company in the world, but more importantly we look forward to selling and marketing a brand that represents outstanding customer service.”
Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA, privately held Connect-Worldwide has sales operations in 32 countries around the world. Connect-Worldwide develops, manages and implements international sales and marketing solutions for travel companies around the world.
Founded in 1957, Enterprise Rent-a Car is headquartered in St Louis and serves customers in the United States, Canada, the U.K., Ireland and Germany. Enterprise ranks No. 21 on the Forbes Top 500 private companies in America. Enterprise has ranked highest in customer satisfaction among airport rentals in seven of the past eight years, according to J.D. Power and Associates Rental Car Satisfaction Study. For more information about Enterprise, visit www.enterprise.com.
February 1st, 2007
Thistle Hotels Ltd., operator of the Thistle Hotels and Guoman Hotels brands, has today announced the first phase of major expansion to its international sales and marketing team with the appointment Connect-Worldwide International Inc. as its General Sales Agency (GSA) in eleven markets across North America, Asia and Europe.
Connect-Worldwide's highly experienced team of specialist agents will represent the 49-strong hotel group in markets including the USA, Canada, Mexico, Ireland, Netherlands, France, Italy, Spain, Hong Kong, China, and Japan.
"We are very excited to be working with Connect-Worldwide's global team. This is an important first step to develop our brands in these important markets and expanding our international distribution", said Stuart Leven, Sales and Marketing Director at Thistle Hotels Ltd.
On their appointment, Eric J Otto, President and CEO of Connect-Worldwide says, “We are extremely delighted to be representing both Thistle Hotels and Guoman Hotels. Their portfolio of hotels in the UK, and specifically in London, will provide a broad range of selection to our customers in North America, Europe and Asia.”
Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA, Connect-Worldwide has sales operations in 32 countries around the world. Connect-Worldwide develops, manages and implements international sales and marketing solutions for hotel and travel companies around the world.
November 1st, 2006
Netherlands based Tourism in Action awards global representation contract of TravelDNA to Connect Worldwide.
TravelDNA goes global after successfully powering the majority of the Dutch tourist office and CVB community for over 5 years.
TravelDNA * is a unique Global Travel Distribution & Transaction Platform, especially developed for tourist boards, convention & visitors bureaus and companies alike.
Tourism in Action's Managing Partner Mr. Tim Diets remarks:
“After proving our product to the Dutch market for the past 5 years, generating in excess of 1 million online transactions while reaching a service level of 99,9%, we now feel we can safely expand our territory globally and let more tourist boards benefit from TravelDNA . It is therefore that we appointed the travel industry's fastest growing sales and marketing representation company Connect- Worldwide to help us achieve this.”
September 1st, 2006
Connect-Worldwide is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with five Global Travel Wholesale companies to sell and market their hotel inventory through their 34 Connect-Worldwide international offices. Combined the Global Travel Wholesalers, which include Mark Travel, GTA, Hotelbeds and Tourico Holidays and American Tours International represent more than 100,000 hotels worldwide.
Separately, Connect-Worldwide is also pleased to announce the development and management of an online Tour Operator solution for Choice Hotels International. ToChoice.com is an innovative global Tour Operator solution for Tour Operators interested in booking Choice Hotels net rates worldwide.
August 1st, 2006
Connect-Worldwide is pleased to welcome Roxana Otero from Chile to our group of affiliates around the world. Roxana brings over 20 years of travel and tourism experience to Connect-Worldwide.
Connect-Worldwide is also pleased to announce the addition of Peter Bull to our Worldwide Affiliate team. Peter will help develop new products in Portugal.
We are very excited to have both of them on our team and to continue Connect-Worldwide's vision for being the travel industry's fastest growing sales and marketing representation company.
April 1st, 2006
Connect-Worldwide is pleased to announce our new affiliate in South Africa, Mark Buck. Mark has been in the tourism industry for over 10 years and has had numerous experiences with clients from around the world. We are fortunate to add another passionate affiliate to our wonderful team.
January 1st, 2006
It is with great pleasure we announce that Connect-Worldwide has signed an agreement with Ginn Clubs & Resorts to become their exclusive General Sales Agent in the UK.
Ginn Clubs & Resorts a leader in private club resorts - providing luxury vacation residences, unparalleled resort amenities and a gracious club lifestyle in an unpretentious, sincere and friendly manner in some of the top resort destinations in North America and the Caribbean.
January 1st, 2006
Connect-Worldwide is proud to announce the opening of the new headquarter office in Scottsdale, Arizona. "The new global office allows us to better serve our clients and affiliates around the world", said Eric Otto, founder of Connect-Worldwide. The offices are equipped with state of the art technology including VOIP, and a media room. The new contact information is:
8180 N. Hayden Rd. Suite D201
Scottsdale, AZ 85258Tel: +1 480-951-8877
Fax: +1 480-951-8909
October 5th, 2005
CWW adds 67 properties in the US to its global representation portfolio.
As a direct result of Choice Hotels acquiring the Franchise System of 67 Suburban Extended Stay hotels, Connect-Worldwide has added 67 properties and more than 9000 rooms to its portfolio of hotels represented around the globe.
In total Connect-Worldwide now represents 15 hotel brands in 33 countries around the world.
September 5th, 2005
Kevin Brett awarded Affiliate of the Year.
Today, at the second annual Connect-Worldwide Global Affiliate Conference held here in Phoenix, Arizona, President and CEO Eric Otto awarded Kevin Brett, Managing Director of Connect-Worldwide UK with the Affiliate of the Year Award for outstanding performance during the year 2004.
Lynn and Stanley Oh, Managing Directors of Connect-Worldwide South-East Asia received the 2004 Client Sales award and Helene Biard Managing Director of Connect-Worldwide France and Robert Lucskai, Managing Director of Connect-Worldwide Eastern Europe both received the New Affiliate of the Year award for their outstanding performances as first year affiliates. The Global Affiliate Conference was attended by Affiliates and Clients from around the globe.
July 1st, 2005
Connect-Worldwide is pleased to announce that Smart Destinations, provider of the highly successful Go Card USA products throughout North America, has increased it's world-wide distribution of its products through the Connect-Worldwide offices in the following countries: The UK, Japan, Korea, Ireland, Scandinavia, The Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy and Mexico
June 15th, 2005
It is with great pleasure that we announce a new Connect-Worldwide affiliate:
Adriana Restrepo is the new affiliate from Puerto Rico. Adriana is respresenting the Connect-Worldwide clients in The Caribbean. Adriana has significant hotel background with UTELL and Golden Tulip Hotels.
This brings the number of affiliates to 31 and continues to position Connect-Worldwide as the fastest growing representation office in the world.
June 1st, 2005
Connect-Worldwide is pleased to announce the signing of a representation agreement with Allson Hotels based in Malaysia. The Allson International portfolio of hospitality products range from 5-star hotels with world-class convention, meeting and exhibition facilities, luxurious villas, service-apartments, to 3-star budget, no-frills range of accommodation.
May 1st, 2005
It is with great pleasure that we announce two new Connect-Worldwide affiliates:
Jaime Calderon is the new affiliate in Central America. Jaime is representing the Connect-Worldwide clients in El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Guatemala
Tina Rubio is the new affiliate in Spain and Portugal and she has extensive hotel back ground including NH Hotels. Tina is representing the Connect-Worldwide Clients in both Portugal and Spain.
This brings the number of Affiliates to thirty, and continues to position Connect-Worldwide as the fastest growing representation office in the world.
March 1st, 2005
Connect-Worldwide is proud to announce the opening of a new affiliate office in Denmark, servicing Scandinavia and The Baltics.
Under the leadership of Karin Gert Nielsen, Managing Director of Connect-Worldwide Scandinavia and The Baltics CWW offers professional sales and marketing support in Scandinavia, Finland, Iceland and the Baltic States (Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia).Centrally located in Copenhagen in the heart of Scandinavia, CWW Scandinavia and The Baltics has easy access to all major Scandinavian cities, especially to Southern Sweden via the bridge now connecting Copenhagen with Malmoe in Southern Sweden.
The company is managed and owned by Ms. Karin Gert Nielsen. A long term travel professionals, well established within the Nordic travel trade.
February 1st, 2005
Smart Destinations Inc announced the appointment of Connect-Worldwide UK as their General Sales Agent (GSA) in the UK.
On their appointment, Kevin Brett, Managing Director of Connect-Worldwide UK says, “We are extremely delighted to be representing Smart Destinations. The broad range of attractions allied with flexible durations and outstanding price structure, makes this the best value option to USA-bound customers from the UK. And it will be a big win with the trade who are seeking to increase their revenue from ancillary sales through dynamic packaging” Smart Destination will add other Connect-Worldwide locations during 2005.
January 1st, 2005
Connect-Worldwide CEO Eric Otto contacted several local business leaders to aid Tsunami victims in Indonesia. After hearing and watching of the wide spread disaster and monumental task facing the relief effort, Eric Otto along with O Premium Waters CEO Frank Leonesio, Swift Transportation owner Jerry Moyes, Choice Hotel International Senior VP of Marketing and Sales Wayne Wielgus all were willing to lend assistance. After international appeal for emergency food and water needs, Otto contacted Frank Leonesio, friend and CEO of O Premium Waters, to propose a plan to send water supplies directly to Indonesia. Leonesio immediately said yes and the plan quickly started to take shape. Likewise, fellow friends and business executives Moyes and Wielgus immediately offered transportation and financial assistance respectively. Otto then garnered the assistance of PATA (Pacific Asia Tourism Association) to handle the ground transportation to the worst affected areas in Indonesia.
September 1st, 2004
It is with great pleasure that we announce that Robert Lucskai is the newest Connect-Worldwide affiliate and the new managing director of Connect-Worldwide in Budapest, Hungary. Roberts' background includes being a GSA for Marriott in Eastern Europe. He will represent Choice Hotels in Eastern Europe including the following countries: Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Croatia, Bulgaria and Romania.
August 1st, 2004
Choice Hotels Brazil has selected the Connect-Worldwide European sales and marketing offices to assist them in developing business for their great collection of hotels. The outstanding properties can be found on www.choicehotels.com or www.atlantica-hotels.com and are a great addition to the portfolio of Connect-Worldwide and the European team.
July 1st, 2004
Connect-Worldwide has awarded Vasudha Sondhi of Connect-Worldwide India the 2003 Affiliate of the year award.
Vasudha received the award at the First Annual Connect-Worldwide Affiliate Conference in Orlando Florida.
July 1st, 2004
Connect-Worldwide has opened a new Connect-Worldwide Mexico office in Mexico City on Reforma, one of the most prestigious business addresses in Mexico City.
The new Managing Director is Mauricio Gonzalez formerly from Sheraton in Mexico City.
April 1st, 2004
Connect-Worldwide announces that it has signed a new affiliate marketing agreement with Chateaux Hotels de France. Connect-Worldwide will market all 500 European Chateaux Hotels to consumers and agents in North America through a new website: www.castlehotelsfrance.com
The new website will debut in the summer of 2004.
March 1st, 2004
Connect-Worldwide announces the appointment of Helene Biard as the new Connect-Worldwide affiliate in France. Helene comes to Connect-Worldwide with an extensive hotel background and starting March 1 she will manage the Choice USA account in France and Switzerland.
January 1st, 2004
Connect-Worldwide announces that it has been accepted as a member of Travel Industry Association of America. TIA is the recognized leader in promoting and facilitating increased travel to and within the United States, and a source of industry research analysis and forecasting.
December 1st, 2003
Connect-Worldwide announces the opening of the Connect-Worldwide affiliate office in Russia and welcomes Dmitri Soultanov and Julia Vodyassova to our global network of travel representation experts.
December 1st, 2003
Connect-Worldwide announces the opening of the Connect-Worldwide affiliate office in Jordan and welcomes Caroline Georgi to our global network of travel representation experts.
November 1st, 2003
Connect-Worldwide celebrates its first year anniversary. The company now represents 13 brands and has affiliate offices in 21 countries.
November 1st, 2003
Connect-Worldwide announces the opening of their new affiliate office in Ireland.
Mary Browne, the new Connect-Worldwide affiliate, has an extensive background in hospitality sales and marketing. Mary will be handling the Choice Hotels account for Connect-Worldwide and has been associated with Choice Hotels and Choice Hotels Ireland since 1987, so she joins Connect Worldwide with a wealth of experience.
September 20th, 2003
Connect-Worldwide announces that Vera Sommer is the newest Connect-Worldwide affiliate based in Germany. Vera has extensive travel and hotel experience and has worked with companies such as Marriott Hotels and Resorts, Singapore Airlines, Auto Exclusiv and Greyhound International. Vera was educated in the US and she has extensive knowledge of the US market.
August 25th, 2003
Disney executive joins Connect-Worldwide.
Connect-Worldwide announces the opening of their affiliate office in the UK: Connect-Worldwide UK. Kevin Brett the managing director of Connect-Worldwide UK joins the global network of Connect-Worldwide affiliates from Best Western and Disney where he held senior sales positions.
July 7th, 2003
Connect-Worldwide, the fastest growing global travel representation company has recently acquired www.generalsalesagent.com and www.travelrepresentation.com.
June 15th, 2003
Choice Hotels International selects Connect-Worldwide for sales and marketing representation in Europe, Choice hotels and Connect-Worldwide will partner in the development of an additional seven affiliate offices.
April 10th, 2003
Connect-worldwide announces the opening of their new affiliate offices in Venezuela and the Netherlands.
April 1st, 2003
Choice Hotels International selects Connect-Worldwide for sales and marketing representation in Central America.