Hotel Data Systems Taps Industry Technology & Distribution Veteran Eric Trout to Lead its Global Business Development

Hotel Data Systems (HDS) today announced Eric Trout as its new Director of Strategic Business Development, with the responsibility of expanding the company’s relationship base and creating business in new markets.

Eric Trout has 25 years of technology sales experience in the global travel distribution market. Most recently, Eric served as Director of Business Development for WizCom, a GDS switch company, and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Cendant Corporation. His primary responsibility at WizCom was marketing products and services in multi-travel industry segments including Hotel, Car Rental, Global Distribution Systems and Tour Operators. During his tenure with WizCom, Mr. Trout was instrumental in the development of the TOWARD Organization (Tour Operators Wholesalers Achieving Real-Time Distribution), working towards the development of a direct connect between tour operator “merchant model” business and travel suppliers. Prior to WizCom, Eric was Regional Director for ANA Hotels, responsible for creating, implementing and monitoring the execution of the annual marketing plan, focusing on brand awareness, loyalty, and corporate account programs within the Americas and Europe. Eric was actively involved in developing ANA Hotels Internet strategy with focus on Business to Business (B2B), Business to Consumer (B2C), Anyone to Anyone (A2A) for worldwide travel distribution. Eric has also worked with Delta Air Lines, Avis Rent A Car and Bass Hotels & Resorts (now known as InterContinental Hotels.

“Eric has tremendous experience in maximizing the Global Distribution Systems (GDSs), Internet and External channel distribution for all segments of the travel industry like Hotels, Car rental companies, Tour Operators/Receptives, Destination Web Sites and Airlines. In addition he has also been able to link the industry business processes and applications with technology partners. As we move forward with our ASP and GDS offerings, Eric will be spearheading this effort,“ said Paul Firos, President of HDS.

“The propagation of our new ASP model offers dynamic global opportunities for the travel industry. Using the xenon®CRS product, we will be announcing some exciting new service initiatives. Over the next few months we will be announcing our new OEM initiatives for Central Reservations, Global Distribution Systems and Web using an ASP model,” stated Eric Trout.

About Hotel Data Systems (HDS):
HDS, headquartered in Westport, Connecticut, is a software firm dedicated to the development of enterprise level reservation solutions customized for hotel central reservation call centers worldwide. Hotel Data Systems, Inc. can be located on the Internet at www.hoteldata.com.