US hotel management systems specialist, Lodging Touch International Inc,and Spanish systems integration specialist, Nextel Engineering Systems, say they are joining forces in a 50- 50 joint venture, Lodging Touch Europe. The new company, will offer a wide range of computing services, including consultancy, installation of management systems, training and technical back- up. Nextel’s managing director Christian Barrios told Computerworld Espana that demand is growing in Spain for effective hotel management systems with 10,000 potential clients among three, four and five-star hotels. Of these, he says 5,000 might be interested in the new company’s offerings within the next two years. With Barrios estimating minimum individual investment of $16,000 to $20,500 he says Lodging Touch Europe is looking at a potential $123m Spanish market. Lodging Touch International is already well-established in the hotel industry, with 500 management systems installed worldwide. Among its clients are chains such as Melia Hotels, Aston Hotels, Days Inn and the Sol Group.
