IHG starts major Amadeus tech move with Kimpton

Kimpton is the first group of properties within the InterContinental Hotels Group to switch over to the long-awaited platform provided by Amadeus.

Multiple sources say the migration took place this week as part of a gradual roll-out across the entire group over the course of 2018 and early-2019.

The Guest Reservation System is the flagship product being developed at Amadeus Hospitality, with IHG announced as the launch partner back in April 2015.

Amadeus has worked with IHG in the intervening period to overhaul the design, functionality and processes contained within the platform.

It replaces the existing proprietary Holidex platform - the chain's famous (and industry first) computerised reservation system which saw its first iteration in 1965.

Amadeus and IHG initially said the new GRS would be rolled out globally in 2017.

Kimpton has 62 properties (with a further 18 in the development pipeline, some outside of its North American base for the first time in Europe and Asia) and takes booking for close to 11,800 rooms.

The move to the GRS is being carried out in a "mirror" operation alongside the existing use of Holidex.

Amadeus says it is unable to comment at this time. IHG has yet to respond to a request for further details about the switch this week and ongoing GRS integration.

Central to the new system is the ability to scale it quickly across multiple properties, chains and platforms, as well as integrate merchandising services such as up-sell of existing products to guests based on their profile.

Amadeus isn't betting the family silver on the GRS project - its broad range of IT services for various sectors in the industry make up around a third of total revenues compared to income from distribution - but it is certainly considered a major part of its hospitality strategy.

CEO and president Luis Maroto told PhocusWire in November last year that the company has worked hard to "understand that the hospitality industry is completely different from the airlines one, and as such we have to adapt ourselves and deliver on the hoteliers’ specific needs".

IHG, Amadeus hopes, is just the beginning as other global chains look at their existing reservations systems and attempt to figure out what services and tools will be required in the years ahead.

* Related content: Alix Arguelles of Amadeus on the PhocusWire PundIT Show in November 2017.