Many corporations – large and small – have or desire a negotiated hotel program in which their top destinations are represented. Because this time-consuming task requires much negotiation and administration, the process is often neglected or minimized. Therefore, outsourcing this project to NTM makes good business sense.

In 1984 NTM implemented Preferred Hotel Programs in response to our customer requests for additional cost saving assistance. Our Hotel Services area has significant impact on hotel negotiations based on our history and rapport with worldwide hotels. We proactively gather account-specific data and bring the hotels to the table to negotiate preferred rates.

Additionally, NTM has the edge in negotiations by using benchmarking and trending for our customers. The end result is bottom line cost savings, and increased customer satisfaction.

Negotiating Hotel Contracts

Let Northwestern Travel Management’s Consulting Services give you the perspective you need. We understand the art of hotel contract negotiations and we’ll use existing hotel relationships – or develop new ones – to efficiently build or renew your hotel program.

A few of the services we provide include --but are not limited to-- the following:

• Meet with corporate travel contact to discuss corporate culture, travel policy, and expectations for cost savings
• Survey corporate travel agents, corporate travelers and travel arrangers for input on property preferences
• Review current program and identify and document savings opportunities for top cities
• Submit proposal requests to hotels
• Negotiate rates and amenities
• Outline preferred rate programs in an electronic or printed hotel directory

Hotel Tracking

NTM Hotel Services customers will receive a Hotel Savings Report that can be analyzed to provide additional cost savings for future negotiations.

Reported items include:

• Hotel name, city and number of room nights
• The negotiated and corporate rate
• The actual volume booked at each property
• Per night savings over negotiated or corporate rate

Radius

NTM is a member of the Radius Travel consortium, which enables our customers to take advantage of the Radius Preferred Hotel Program and the Radius Block Space Program. This is ideal for companies who do not have enough hotel volume to negotiate their own rates.

When a traveler calls NTM to make a hotel reservation, our consultants will automatically search the Radius programs to find the lowest available room rates.

Radius Preferred Rate Program - The Preferred Rate Program offers over 7,762 individually-contracted hotels around the world which are listed in the RADIUS Hotel Directory and Travel Guide. Features of the Preferred rate Program include:

• Properties in 1,890 cities and 133 countries
• Contracted rates guaranteed to be equal or less than the lowest rate offered to any other travel management company or group
• Special amenities offered only to clients of RADIUS included in many of the rates
• Rates guaranteed as long as the room type is available for sale
• Price grids and quick reference tables of hotels in various cities by price range

Radius Block Space Program - Over 1,000 of the hotels participating in the Preferred Rate Program are offering block space for the exclusive use of Radius members. These hotels hold an agreed upon number of rooms for Radius when the hotel has reached sold out status.

For a brochure or to receive more information contact Anne Winter, Hotel Service Manager. Anne can be reached at or AWinter.

Read More:
July 28, 2003, Best Buy's Hotel Auction Represents Growing Trend (The Business Journal, registration required)
October 15, 2002, Many Hotels Modify Cancellation Policy
October 8, 2002, The Hunt for the Red October – NTM’s Hotel Supplier
May 9, 2002, New NTM Hotel Services Manager