Las Vegas, NEV. – Seeking universal distribution and real-time electronic reservations capability, the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas has signed with Sceptre Hospitality Resources for GDS/Internet connectivity.

The four-star, four-diamond resort's move comes after Sceptre successes with four other hotel resorts of chairman Steve Wynn's Mirage Resorts. Since 1995, Sceptre has been demonstrating its technology and service advantage with Mirage Resorts properties The Mirage, Treasure Island, Beau Rivage and Bellagio.

Sceptre provides a seamless link to Sabre, Apollo, Worldspan and Amadeus, as well as travel booking sites on the Internet. In real time, travel agents or consumers can find accurate availability and rates information, make their booking and receive instant confirmation.

"A seamless connection is so important because it enables a hotel to fully describe room amenities on GDS systems, and eliminates surprises that arise when a travel agent is forced to rely on 'guesswork,'" said Sceptre director Rita Emmer. Universal distribution and that real-time availability also were important factors in the decision to choose Sceptre, Emmer said.

"We were able to ensure that the Golden Nugget is bookable in virtually every existing electronic distribution channel, all through a single inventory, regardless of new booking channels and Internet sites coming on line," Emmer said.

"The business is changing to the point that universal distribution with real-time availability basically is a necessity. The first step is to establish a presence across the full spectrum of electronic reservations channels, in a way that immediately serves booking agents and guests," said Emmer.

Travel professionals can book the Golden Nugget through the GDS systems, accessed by these booking codes: Amadeus - LASNUG; Sabre - 47503; Apollo- 13731; and Worldspan - SLASN. The resort's Web site is .

The Golden Nugget announcement comes on the heels of recent news that the Hard Rock Hotel and Resort had joined leading Vegas independents The Venetian, Bellagio, The Mirage, Treasure Island, MGM Grand, and New York-New York Hotel & Casino as Sceptre clients.

Sceptre also provides hotels with electronic marketing support and designated account managers offering strategic yield-management expertise. Private-label toll-free reservations phone services also are available.

Ranked #10 on Hotels magazine's list of top third-party marketing and reservations providers, twelve-year-old Sceptre Hospitality Resources also is the fastest growing company on the list. Since 1997, the Sceptre system has grown by 60 percent, to represent more than 61,000 rooms. Sceptre is a division of Richfield Hospitality Services.

Jim Zahniser
Principal
(503) 636-8488