The dominance of OTAs, combined with the lack of branded hotel apps, demonstrate how iPhone owners wanting to book travel experiences are putting OTAs in a position of power on the mobile device.
HotelTonight launches Aces in-app chat feature
Feature is a way to connects bookers with a team of insiders for access to authentic local tips and recommendations, plus time-saving help with room and hotel requests.
Booking.com to amend parity provisions throughout Europe
Under the new provisions, Booking.com will abandon its price, availability and booking conditions parity provisions with respect to other online travel agencies and its standard terms will be the same for all of its European partners.
Website, GDS and OTA: the right mix in distribution channel investments
Hotels need to understand and appropriately invest in all three online distribution channels to retain guests, improve hotel positioning, and gain a competitive advantage.
How your hotel website can compete with OTA’s
By Nigel J. Rodgers: Your website is the digital front door to your hotel. If you can’t wow a guest online then they will assume that your hotel has nothing exciting to offer. (And yes, to encourage direct bookings, your front desk phone number or a reservation widget should be visible on every page!)
Report ranks last-minute hotel apps
Apps in this assessment include: Airbnb, BookingNow, Expedia, Hipmunk, HotelPlanner.com, Hotels.com, HotelTonight, Hotwire, Jetsetter, Last Minute Travel Deals, Orbitz, Priceline, Room 77, Stayful, Travelocity and TripAdvisor.
Booking.com implements new parity provisions in Germany
The new provisions follow recent commitments accepted in France, Italy and Sweden.
OTAs show strongest bookings growth – but lowest ADR growth
According to TravelClick, utilising distribution partners makes GDS more attractive than third party options as it provides a higher ADR. Do you agree, or is your focus simply direct, direct, direct.
Offer culinary experiences to increase hotel bookings
It goes without saying that food is a fundamental part of the human experience—but today, it has become multimillion-dollar entertainment. The past three years have seen 27 million American culinary leisure travelers, and 88 percent of hospitality destinations consider food tourism a major part of their branding.
Ways to get your guests to book direct
Developing a successful marketing strategy requires establishing enough value for the consumer to book through your hotel directly. Here are a few effective ways to get your new and returning guests constantly connected through your hotel’s story.
