Accorhotels has signed an agreement to acquire business travel hotel reservation platform Gekko.
The group says the acquisition is in line with its strategy to improve customer experience by enhancing the range of services offered to business travellers, which it says is a key segment of Accorhotels’ customer base.
Gekko offers search and reservation solutions via an interface connected to more than 500,000 hotels worldwide, ranging from budget options to luxury. The platform also allows business travellers to manage their online payments, with the ability to track and optimise costs. It currently operates in France, Belgium, Spain and Portugal.
Gekko co-founders Olivier Delouis and Stephane de Laforcade will continue to manage the company after the acquisition, which Accorhotels says will have a positive effect on its financial performance in 2018.
Thibault Viort, chief distribution and growth officer at Accorhotels, said: “We are very pleased to have Gekko’s team join our group. Since business travellers represent a key segment in the group’s business, our capacity to respond to the specific requirements of this segment across the entire chain is a factor that really sets us apart.”
The transaction is subject to approval of competition authorities.
accorhotels.com