About Köln-Düsseldorfer
Köln-Düsseldorfer (KD) is a premier river cruise operator based in Cologne, Germany, and has been a key player in the regional cruise and event industry. With a diverse fleet navigating the Rhine, Main, and Moselle rivers, KD specializes in offering passengers unique experiences through cruises, entertainment, and themed trips.
As part of United Waterways, KD prioritizes sustainability with fleet modernization and energy-efficient technologies. In September 2024, it became Germany's first passenger shipping company to earn a bronze medal in its inaugural ESG rating, surpassing 71% of 130,000 companies globally.
ʼWith a fleet of 14 ships, including several cruise ships and eight premium-class port hotel ships, the company provides venues for trade fairs, exhibitions, and concerts. As KD expanded its offerings, it sought to enhance operational efficiency and event ticket sales with respective technology.
Challenges Faced by Köln-Düsseldorfer
Before adopting HotelFriend solutions, KD faced the challenge of managing bookings for both traditional cruises and event-specific accommodations.
Their requirements included a flexible system capable of handling various durations of stay, from single-night bookings during trade fairs to extended stays for events like themed cruises.
Additionally, the cruise operator sought a solution that could seamlessly market their cabins through multiple channels, including their website and popular booking platforms such as Booking.com and HRS.de.
Solutions Provided by HotelFriend
HotelFriend proposed a comprehensive solution leveraging their Enterprise and Cruise suites to respond to the challenges.
Integrations and support
HotelFriend facilitated the integration of a payment provider that the company used to work with, meeting KD's specific payment needs.
To enhance their online sales and promote cabins on the most popular booking platforms, HotelFriend secured connections to such OTAs, as Booking.com, HRS.de, and Expedia.
The support team covered everything from starting up the Enterprise Suite to getting the Cruise Solution ready. This included tasks like exporting data, training employees, setting up the channel manager, activating OTA channels, getting the booking engine ready, and kickstarting the Cruise solution. These steps ensured a hassle-free implementation, allowing KD to make the most of its hospitality solutions.
Results Achieved
With HotelFriend's tailored solutions, KD successfully automated its operations, streamlining cabin bookings, reservations, invoicing, cancellations, and rebooking processes.
The integrated system allowed the cruise operator to sell their cabins effectively through various channels, expanding their reach and enhancing customer engagement. Some other achievements include: