15 - 21 February 2001

Island Hotels Group revamps its website

by Franco Aloisio

Personal internet access in five-star hotels in Malta has so far been restricted to executive rooms. However, the need for widespread internet connectivity in the tourism industry is being felt to such extent that internet has now become a standard feature in all hotel rooms of one of Malta’s leading five-star hotels, the Radisson SAS Baypoint hotel.
All rooms are now equipped with an infra-red keyboard which links to the hotel’s main internet server. Guests can choose to purchase internet time and browse websites or send e-mails. All they have to do is choose the internet function on their TV set, and internet is immediately available on the screen.
The internet facility system used is Quadriga and was installed by R.O.V.E.R. Malta.
Winston J. Zahra, director of operations of the Island Hotels Group (owner of the Radisson SAS Baypoint) said: “We believe that by providing internet facilities in every room we are giving more value-added to our clients. As a group, we believe greatly in IT and its application in the tourism business.”
Meanwhile, Island Hotels Group has just revamped its website (www.islandhotels.com) in line with the change in its corporate image. In two weeks’ time, the new website will provide a real-time on-line booking facility. People booking their hotel will get a confirmation of their booking within five seconds. The new website has been developed by di-ve.
“This is truly an e-business solution which we expect will cater for four to five per cent of our bookings,” Mr Zahra said.
Speaking to The Malta Business Weekly, the IT Manager of Island Hotels Group Marthese Dimech said that through these two technological innovations the group will be in a position to offer a better product to its clients.