Limerick Technology Firm Continues Global Expansion Despite Downturn

Avvio’s launch of two luxury property websites in Thailand follows a strengthening demand for the company’s services within the Irish, UK and European markets

Established in 2002 and specialising in reservations, online marketing and award winning web design for hotel websites, the Enterprise Ireland-backed firm currently supports over 700 hotels throughout Ireland, the UK, Europe the Asia Pacific region, processing over 225,000 transactions per year, valued at in excess of EUR60m annually.

Avvio supports over 85% of the 5-star hotel market in Ireland including Ashford Castle, Dromoland Castle and the K Club while International clients include the Chaaya Resort Group in the Maldives and the Small Luxury Hotels of the World brand.

Speaking of Avvio’s further advances into the Asia Pacific market – including the launch of Thailand-based luxury villa websites www.lebayburi.com and www.phuketresortmanagement.com - David Collins, Commercial Director, Avvio.com said: "the Asia Pacific market is very similar to the Irish market with a significant dependency on both International and localised demand plus there is a high level of fragmentation between International Group Brands and Independent Operators. This market represents a huge export opportunity for Avvio; importantly too for hotel and resort operators as well as property developers, the opportunity exists to harness the power of the web so as to optimise both domestic demand as well as inbound tourism. Our software provides this essential reach at the heart of which is best of class innovation and proven e-solutions for tourism marketing."

As Taoiseach Mr. Brian Cowen T.D. concludes a trade delegation visit to the Far East, Collins adds "the Asia Pacific market is one of the fastest growing markets in the world although surprisingly the levels of web penetration are relatively low. In our dealings with all our clients and potential clients – be they in Ireland, the UK, Europe or Asia - a key tenet is to develop a sustainable business model founded on organically driven business. In other words business that the operator has driven through its own website as firstly, this business has a lower cost of sale and secondly, the operator then owns the client relationship for follow-up marketing. Avvio’s suite of proven solutions and services are simply world class in this regard and are well-placed through Avvio Asia Pacific to dominate this emerging market."

Avvio – which directly employs 40 personnel across sales, design, operations and R&D and is expected to quadruple turnover to EUR6m by 2010 - supports Ireland’s largest hotel chains including Maldron Hotels, Bewleys Hotels, Moran Hotels, Lynch Hotels and Carlton Hotels, also providing business development and reservations software also to UK groups Festival Hotels (Edinburgh) and Marlin Apartments (London). Following extensive R&D investment, Avvio this month (January 2009) launches a best of class integrated CRM solution for hotels while Avvio expects to announce significant client acquisitions in Ireland and the UK in the coming weeks (January 2009).

Speaking of current conditions within the Irish market, Collins said: "the industry can expect to go through further consolidation in the next 12 months as operators tighten their belts and refine their businesses. Most of our clients have embraced this challenge and in fact our more progressive clients have seen a year on year lift in online revenues. Going forward, hotels can and will survive, and strengthen their position by fundamentally addressing how they bring their product to market while retaining hard-won clients under increasingly competitive conditions: an integrated internet strategy - such as Avvio deploys for our own clients - will enable this."

Further information on Avvio is available from David Collins, Commercial Director, Avvio, LoCall 1890 302 000, by email david.collins@avvio.com or online at www.avvio.com.

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Notes to Editor:
- Mr. David Collins, Commercial Director, Avvio.com, is available for interview and further comment. Photo opportunities can be arranged on request. Please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy PR on 086-8534900 or media@dunphypr.com
- Avvio was founded in 2002 by brothers Frank and Brian Reeves. International experts such as "Who Is Who In Hospitality" (www.wiwih.com) have since referred to Avvio as the "The Next Big Thing On-line".

Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
www.dunphypr.com
media@dunphypr.com
00353-868534900