Orbitz signs distribution deal with NH Hotels

Orbitz Worldwide said Friday it has reached a distribution agreement with NH Hotels, based in Madrid, to make the European hotel chain’s inventory available across multiple Orbitz brands.

The company said NH Hotels’ inventory will be available at Orbitz.com, Cheaptickets, ebookers and HotelClub. NH Hotels operates 341 hotels that provide some 49,500 rooms in 21 countries in Europe, South America and Africa.

Brian Hoyt, an Orbitz spokesman, said the move helps grow non-air revenue and increases merchant hotel inventory, both high on Orbitz’ list of business objectives for 2008.

Inigo Onieva, chief of marketing and e-distribution for NH Hotels, said in a statement that the partnership will open “a whole new group of internationally-based savvy travelers who can now experience our world-class hotel properties.”