Australian company SiteMinder is set to create 100 jobs in Galway as it opens a new office in the city.

The company offers a cloud platform aimed at the hotel industry. Its products include an online distribution platform, booking engine, website creator, real-time market intelligence solution and access to a network of travel agents.

Ireland is the company's fifth location, joining Bangkok, Dallas, Sydney and London, where SiteMinder has its European headquarters.

The Galway office is expected to work alongside the UK base to support hotels in the region and globally. The company has begun recruiting sales staff, along with customer training and support analysts.

“We are delighted to join the thriving technology hub of Galway, which we have identified to be greatly aligned with our company’s culture and mission of providing terrific career opportunities for local talent who are passionate about technology and can benefit from an attractive lifestyle and work-life balance,” said Dai Williams, managing director for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) with SiteMinder.

Support teams

“It will also allow us to further fuel the success of our multilingual sales and customer support teams servicing hotels located in Europe and all corners of the globe.”

Among the company’s customers in Ireland are Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel, the K Club, the Connacht Hotel and the G Hotel and Spa.

Although SiteMinder said it would initially provide 100 jobs, there is the potential for further expansion.

The news was welcomed by Minister for Jobs Mary Mitchell O’Connor. “Galway is fast becoming a tech hub, and SiteMinder is an exciting addition with the creation of at least 100 jobs, which will benefit the entire region and have a positive knock-on effect.”

IDA Ireland chief executive Martin Shanahan said SiteMinder would add to the growing number of technology companies that have located in Galway, enhancing the region as a great location for the tech sector.