Expedia and Marriott International today released a press statement announcing a new multi-year agreement that extends one of the longest running partnerships in the online travel industry.

Without being aware of any details, this arrangement provides Marriott properties access to Expedia’s extensive targeted promotional and merchandising opportunities to reach travelers throughout Europe, Asia and North America. Marriott’s properties also benefit from direct access to Expedia’s global travel marketplace through ExpediaConnect, the technology solution for chain hotels to connect directly into Expedia’s global marketplace.

The international travel website trivago.com has launched a new service for hoteliers where hoteliers can provide updated information about their establishments. Hoteliers can now respond to guest reviews, publish new offers and news on their dedicated hotel blog and manage their data and property information. Furthermore, trivago enables users to link to hotels’ homepages so guests can directly contact the hotel for additional information and make hotel reservations.

In a press release Tripadvisor announced it now features more than 20 million traveler reviews and opinions, up from 15 million earlier this year and 5 million two years ago. Tripadvisor also experienced rapid growth in the number of registered members, which increased from more than 5 million in January 2008 to over 9 million today.

With Tripadvisor domains now being available in India and Japan, Tripadvisor is now operating in 8 countries outside the United States. More than half of Tripadvisor’s 25 million unique monthly visitors come from outside the United States. Tripadvisor is also expected to launch their service in China in the coming months.

Recent press release from Utell Hotels & Resorts stated that over the first 8 months of 2008, Utell Hotels & Resorts has gained a 21 percent increase in revenue to hotels through it’s consumer targeted website hotelbook.com. Hotelbook, featuring Pegasus Solution’s technology and covering over 6000 properties in 2000 cities worldwide, also reported an average stay of 2.8 days and an increase in average room rate of £8 per night compared to rates in 2007.