Bookassist in European top 100 companies in Deloitte Fast 500 Technology Companies

Award-winning Irish online reservations firm Bookassist, recently ranked 8th fastest growing company in Ireland, has been positioned number 100 in the Deloitte Fast 500 Technology companies in the EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) region.

Accepting the award in London on November 28th, Bookassist Director Dr Robert Whittle said "The Deloitte recognition of Bookassist's achievements is a very welcome one. This year has been a stellar year for the Bookassist team and all the indications are for even more spectacular performance through 2006".

The Deloitte Technology Fast 500 program covers public and private companies across EMEA, and is based on five-year average percentage revenue growth. The awards are researched and sponsored by the Deloitte Technology, Media & Telecommunications (TMT) Industry Group. "This is the fifth year of the ranking in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and we are beginning to see some interesting regional and global trends emerging," said Eric Morgain, Deloitte's Partner in charge of the Technology Fast 500 EMEA. "Western Europe still dominates the ranking, with 61% of companies featured in the Fast 500 from this region (a drop of 11% compared with 2003). Northern Europe's presence in the ranking has grown, with 25% of winners from this region, a rise of 8% compared with 2003. Also worth noting are the number of companies from the Middle East & Africa, which make up 7% of the ranking, compared with 4% two years ago."

Bookassist rises to top 10 ranking in 2005 Deloitte Fast 50 Technology Companies

The leading Irish online reservations firm Bookassist scooped 8th place in the annual Deloitte Fast 50 Technology awards in Belfast on November 24th, rising rapidly from last year's ranking of 42nd. Director Kieran Fives, who accepted the award from David O’Flanagan, Partner with Deloitte, said "the achievement reflects the commitment of a very dedicated and talented team at Bookassist that it has been my pleasure to work with over the last 5 years, and it also speaks volumes for the confidence in us expressed by over 1000 accommodation providers who trust Bookassist to act on their behalf each and every day".

The Fast 50 programme, now in its sixth year, ranks the fastest-growing technology companies in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland based on turnover.

Bookassist Galway workshop cautions on brand-diluting web practices, introduces new Trafficbuilder promotions programme

On November 9th, members of the Bookassist team hosted a very successful workshop in the Galway Harbour Hotel. Topics for presentation and discussion included "Designing websites to maximise online business", "Secrets of Search Engines", "Effective Online Marketing", "Current issues in the online accommodation business" and others.

Managing Director Dr Des O'Mahony introduced this latter session as "cautioning on current online marketing practices which, while bringing short term gains, may ultimately be detrimental to the hotel's brand. The Bookassist approach on the other hand is to always build the hotels own brand first and foremost". An expert session on getting the most from the Bookassist administration system was also on the agenda, hosted by Roshan McPartland and Director, Kieran Fives. A lively discussion of all topics was had, and Bookassist's Claire Sawier and Jude Murray introduced the newly revamped Trafficbuilder web promotions package designed to tackle the total visibility of the hotel brand online and to propel online business to the maximum achievable. The new Trafficbuilder programme is exclusive to hotels using Bookassist on their own sites.