NIRVANA TECH. PARTNERS WITH SPAFINDER FOR WEB-BASED SPA-BOOKING

As spas become the in-demand amenity for hotel guests, the ability to book appointments in advance becomes paramount. Spafinder, the world's largest on-line Spa directory, has partnered with Nirvana Technology to create an automated on-line spa reservation service that ensures guests secure the appointments they want and the spa booking calendar is maintained in real-time.

Through Spafinder use of Nirvana's BookNow!, guests can quickly locate a spa in their destination or home city and immediately make confirmed Spa appointments. The partnership enables immediate, real time Spa reservations direct from a spa's own website or Spafinder site listing.

"Travel continues to be the biggest category for online research and purchase," commented Brian Cunningham, President and CEO of Nirvana Technology. "As business and leisure travelers become more adept at using the technology to book air and hotel reservations they are starting to ask that more services, from tee-times to Spa appointments be accessible on-line as well. Our partnership with Spafinder.com -- the largest and best known spa facility resource -- delivers on that demand while making the spa's job of keeping track of reservations easier, too. Spafinder members receive some incredible marketing benefits not only from their listing with Spafinder — but also being able to offer on line reservations and listing all of their services and pricing."

The Nirvana BookNow! capability enhances Spafinder's current member benefits that include an enhanced, customized Spafinder directory listing that details the look and feel of their Spa, contact information including their direct web site and all the services and pricing they offer. With the Nirvana BookNow! capability, guests can review the services, rates, and even schedules for their therapist of choice, book those services quickly and securely and receive an immediate e-mail confirmation of the booking.

Spafinder.com searches for spas by state or zip code and by Spa type, i.e. Resort Spa, destination spa, medical spa, etc. Spas that have the enhanced Spa finder listing and offer Nirvana BookNow! on-line appointments are listed first. "This capability gives the spa a point of differentiation in a destination where many spas are located," said Pete Ellis Spafinder's CEO. "The guest traveling to a location for the first time may select a Spa that is web bookable over other Spas for the pure convenience of being able to look at the services offered, and booking the appointment then and there."

Hotel concierges can also tap into the on-line booking for off-site. "They all have internet access, and can go to the Spa's web site and book that service for the guest they are assisting," said Tina Tasaka [would you prefer she be the quoted person throughout the release?], Sr. Director of Business Development for Nirvana Technology. "Guests have peace of mind knowing their service is booked and they have a confirmation in hand when entering the Spa location. That's an added value for the hotel concierge, as well."

The Nirvana Technology BookNow! service is currently offered at Day Spas in Georgia, Hawaii, California, Nevada and Florida. Resort spas in Hawaii, California. Arizona and Texas will soon be online as well. In addition to appointment booking, Nirvana Technology offers complete Spa management solutions such as retail Point of Sale and web store functionality, all fully web-based.

About Spa Finder, Inc.
As the spa industry's only integrated marketing solution, Spa Finder reaches millions of health conscious consumers via its award-winning website, Spafinder.com. The company publishes Luxury Spafinder Magazine, the trusted authority on luxury spas and associated lifestyles, and The Spa Enthusiast, the leading publication for active spa-goers. Spa Finder also operates the world's largest spa gift certificate and incentive programs along with 'Spas Direct,' the online spa research and booking model for consumers and travel agents.

About Nirvana Technology:

Located in Roswell Georgia, Nirvana Technology, Inc. is a provider of web-based activity scheduling, electronic distribution and retail point of sale solutions targeting the hospitality and travel package market. Nirvana Technology and Finding Nirvana are registered trademarks of Nirvana Technology Inc. Xpiron and BookNow are registered trademarks of Xpiron Inc.
Nirvana Contact:
Tina Tasaka, Sr. Director Business Development 702.948.0436 or [email protected]. For additional information please call (770) 641-1527 or visit www.findingnirvana.com.

Contact: Stephanie Seacord, Leading Edge
603-772-1835, [email protected]