Michelin joins forces with Livebookings
Michelin has joined forces with online reservations company Livebookings in a deal that will see the French restaurant and hotel guide allow its readers to book venues via the internet.
The move comes on the back of the French tyre company taking a stake in Livebookings and forms part of Michelin's goal to expand its web presence in Europe and make online restaurant reservations core to its proposition.
The deal comprises a multi-year European partnership with the complete integration of Livebookings' reservations and bookings technology into Michelin's restaurant search service, Michelin Restaurants.
While the service will initially only be available for establishments in France and Germany, there are plans to "massively recruit bookable restaurants in all key European markets". This will include the launch of a new UK website later this year, with restaurants listed bookable exclusively using Livebookings' technology.
Commenting on the partnership, Michelin travel partner chief executive Alain Cuq said: "Michelin has made this exciting move forward after a full evaluation of all options available. Livebookings' proven, innovative technology is uniquely placed to provide the scale and flexibility we need to propose new value added services to the restaurants and expand into new markets."
Livebookings' chief executive Colin Tenwick added: "Today's announcement marks the perfect marriage of technical innovation in restaurant management with one of the most recognisable brands in the world. We are extremely proud to be providing Michelin with our market-leading platform."
Michelin publishes country and city guides across three continents, including Europe, Asia and North America. Livebookings works across 23 countries and is currently growing its bookings by approximately 45% every year. It processed more than 18 million bookings in Europe in 2012.
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