LodgeNet, TriDENSA Announce Agreement to Extend LodgeNet Solutions Into Middle East and India

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. and DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, July 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- LodgeNet Interactive Corporation (Nasdaq: LNET) and TriDENSA FZ LLC announced today that they have signed a licensing agreement that will make LodgeNet's advanced IP-based interactive TV (iTV) solutions available for the first time to hotels in the Middle East, the Indian Sub Continent, and Africa.

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The new agreement designates TriDENSA as a re-seller of LodgeNet iTV solutions and authorizes TriDENSA to market LodgeNet solutions across its territorial base, which includes Bahrain, Egypt, India, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Syria, and the U.A.E.

"International expansion is essential to our goal of remaining the leading provider of media and connectivity solutions for the hospitality industry worldwide," said Scott C. Petersen, Chairman and CEO for LodgeNet. "The Middle East and India markets represent a tremendous business opportunity with hoteliers we have not reached until now – including properties under the flags of some of our largest U.S. customers. We believe TriDENSA is ideally positioned to expand LodgeNet's IP technology footprint into these economically vibrant areas of the world."

"We are very excited to be given this great opportunity to deliver LodgeNet's iTV technology, exclusively to the hospitality industry in the region," said Jonathan Crouch, Chairman for TriDENSA. "Hoteliers in the Middle East and India will benefit from not only the reliability that the LodgeNet system has shown across North America, but also the extensive customization capabilities that will allow major brands to maintain a consistent on-screen look and feel across multiple properties."

"With our IPTV platform being an extension and expansion of the digital video technology installed in more North American hotels than all other solutions combined, TriDENSA will be offering its customers the best of both worlds:  peace of mind from a proven platform, combined with the unique advantages of an IP-based iTV solution designed to evolve with technology advancements as they become available for a future-proof investment, serviced by a local presence," added Peter F. Klebanoff, Vice President of International & Hospitality Business Development for LodgeNet.

LodgeNet has distributed its interactive TV solutions through international licensing agreements since 1995. LodgeNet licensees currently serve more than 30 countries outside North America.

About LodgeNet

LodgeNet Interactive Corporation is the leading provider of media and connectivity solutions designed to meet the unique needs of hospitality, healthcare and other guest-based businesses. LodgeNet Interactive serves approximately 1.9 million hotel rooms worldwide in addition to healthcare facilities throughout the United States. The Company's services include: Interactive Television Solutions, Broadband Internet Solutions, Content Solutions, Professional Solutions and Advertising Media Solutions. LodgeNet Interactive Corporation owns and operates businesses under the industry leading brands: LodgeNet, LodgeNetRX, and The Hotel Networks. LodgeNet Interactive is listed on NASDAQ and trades under the symbol LNET. For more information, please visit www.lodgenet.com.

About TriDENSA

TriDENSA is a joint venture company with the Al Sayegh Brothers Group, a UAE conglomerate, whose interests include, among many, the exclusive distributorship for LG in the UAE. TriDENSA will be offering the full LodgeNet range of services including a leasing facility for clients. A subsidiary of Al Sayegh Brothers is Genesis Integration, which will enable hotel clients to receive a total solution of iTV solutions, integration and support.

About The Market

The latest figures from STR Global Reports indicate an active pipeline of 128,000 new hotel rooms in the MEA, of which 78,000 are under construction. The Indian market is now considered by many international operators as the most exciting and although no reliable figures are available, it is estimated that 80,000 to 100,000 new guest rooms will be required over the next five years.

SOURCE LodgeNet Interactive Corporation