Agoda, an independent online travel company that specializes in securing the lowest hotel prices in Asia Pacific and around the world, is gearing up to help meet consumer needs during the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

The Beijing Organizing Committee estimates that more than 1.5 million beds will be needed to accommodate foreign and Chinese tourists. Beijing currently has only 109,000 rooms in 658 star-rated hotels. Agoda has been aggressively improving inventory relationships in China, seeking out new sources of supply and setting up special service and content teams to meet Olympic needs.

Agoda currently offers 2,450 hotels in China, in 70 provinces, with 327 hotels in Beijing. Agoda offers hotel bookings to customers around the world through many native language sites such as agoda.com.cn for mainland Chinese customers, agoda.com.hk, and agoda.jp. The company expects wide interest from customers across the globe, including visitors from Europe and the United States. Many of these clients will be making their first trip to China, combining the Olympics with other tourism.

Wilfred Fan, Vice President of Business Development for Agoda, says, In addition to increasing the number of hotels we offer in Beijing, we've also been gearing up to support both tourists who want to see more of China and local Beijing residents who may want to flee the crowds during the events. During this time, we expect increased demand in Hong Kong, Macau, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia.

A new Olympic Coordinator will be available on agoda.com to point visitors in the right direction, and content at travel.agoda.com will offer tips on day trips, tours and other activities for visitors to the Beijing Games, such as venue directions and last-minute accommodation deals.

Agoda Company is also translating hotel names and directions into Mandarin to make it easier for foreign customers to reach their accommodations, and highlighting properties that work well for the Olympics. Fan says, Many customers aren't aware that the Sino-Swiss Hotel and the Howard Johnson Paragon Hotel are quite convenient for both the Football Stadium and the Field Tracks, where Olympic events will be held. Our job at Agoda is to make that information available now, so our customers get the first opportunity to book rooms. It's going to be competitive for availability.

Agoda customers receive Agoda Rewards Points, which can be used for cash discounts on future bookings at any of Agoda's 42,000+ hotels around the world. To celebrate next summer's Olympics, Agoda is offering Double Points at several hotels in key locations, such as the Sino-Swiss Hotel, which is close to Beijing Capital International Airport, the Howard Johnson Paragon Hotel in Dongcheng District, the Gloria Plaza Hotel, the Prime Hotel, and many other properties listed in Beijing and other areas likely to be popular during the events.

We're doing everything we can to make the Olympics a great experience for our customers, whether they want to visit China, see the Olympics or even get out of Beijing. We are advising all our clients to make plans quickly.

About Agoda Company

Agoda is an independent online travel company that specializes in securing the lowest discount hotel prices. Based in Singapore with operations in Bangkok and the Philippines, Agoda's network includes 8,000 plus hotels in Asia and more than 48,000 worldwide. The staff of 160 professionals provides a first-rate reservation service that uniquely combines local knowledge and local connections to provide the best hotel deals to both business and leisure travelers.

Since 1997, Agoda Company has handled hotel bookings for more than 500,000 customers. Precision Reservations.com PlanetHoliday.com and hundreds of other internet sites use Agoda to provide hotel reviews and content, hotel inventory, pricing, fulfillment and 24/7 live support.

In addition, Agoda customers participate in the Agoda Rewards Program, earning further discounts and free stays. Launched in 2003, it was one of the first hotel loyalty programs offered by an independent online merchant. Unlike programs that limit travelers to a single chain, the Agoda Rewards Program allows customers to redeem Rewards Points at any hotel, at any time.

A member of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), Agoda's aim is to promote travel by making it more affordable and more accessible to more people.

For more information regarding Agoda, please access its website at http://www.agoda.com