Blastness, a pioneer in hotel reservation technology, has announced its acquisition of Athena Solutions, a travel tech company specialising in software under the brand ErmesHotels. Athena Solutions, known for its robust offerings like booking systems, automated quotations, channel management, GDS connectivity, and automated payments, will now join Blastness’ expanding portfolio.
This strategic move enhances Blastness’ foothold in the Italian market, particularly in the luxury hotel segment, where the company has been a dominant player for over 14 years. Athena Solutions’ founders will remain in managerial roles, ensuring continuity for its business operations and client relationships.
The acquisition is a milestone in Blastness’ 20th anniversary year, a period marked by significant achievements. For the first time in its history, the value of direct bookings managed through the Blastness portfolio in summer 2024 equaled the volume of bookings on Booking.com. This milestone underscores Blastness’ mission to empower hotels to maximise their official sales channels, surpassing its original goals.
Andrea Delfini, Founder and CEO of Blastness, shared his vision for the partnership: “This deal is highly valuable to us, representing a pivotal step in the growth of our Group. Athena Solutions is a company with an impressive track record and a stellar reputation in the hotel industry. By integrating our advanced systems and services with Athena’s portfolio, we can provide tailored solutions to over 1,800 hotels, reinforcing our expertise and leadership in the sector.”
Athena Solutions, established in 2003, gained early recognition as Expedia’s Beta Test company for the launch of XML connectivity. Its flagship product, ErmesHotels, became Italy’s first XML Channel Manager, now offering over 200 certified connections with retail channels. With a portfolio of over 600 properties, Athena Solutions has supported renowned clients such as Grand Hotel Quisisana in Capri, Covo dei Saraceni in Positano, and Borgo Egnazia, among others.
Marco D’Amore, Co-founder of Athena Solutions, expressed optimism about the future: “This acquisition represents a tremendous growth opportunity. Being part of a market-leading group like Blastness allows us to maintain our high service standards while providing clients access to an expanded suite of products in web, advertising, revenue, and consultancy. This collaboration enables us to meet every digital need in hotel reservation management.”
With the integration of Athena Solutions, Blastness is poised to deliver even greater value to its growing client base, cementing its position as a leader in innovative hotel technology solutions.
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