The explosion of consumer generated content on the web means that more than ever hoteliers should monitor their brand online and respond to reviews and forum posts accordingly. Statistics show that over 24 million consumers are reviewing hotels on Trip Advisor every month! Here is a little advice on making Trip Advisor and other hotel review sites work for you rather than against you.
Many hoteliers feel animosity towards Trip Advisor believing it to be a breeding ground for disgruntled ex employees or competitors writing bogus negative reviews. In truth these types of occurrences are few and far between and Trip Advisor has put measures in place to ensure the validity of the reviews that are placed on the website. One measure is to show users previous reviews by the same reviewer making it easier to gauge a real review against a fake one.
Hoteliers must accept that Trip Advisor is not going anywhere, it is time to engage with the website and work the system. In doing this you ensure that you are aware of what your guests are saying about you, responding publicly to these comments and therefore interacting with your online community. You can upload images, factual information about your hotel and upload new content. If you feel you wish to respond to a review, write a “management response” this could be an explanation, a correction or if appropriate, a compliment to a reviewer. It enables you to give your side of the story as well as give your potential guests confidence because you are demonstrating that you care enough to monitor what your customers say about you. A well crafted management response can go a long way.
Some hoteliers have been caught trying to cheat Trip Advisor and write their own reviews however there is monitoring practices in place to detect this activity. If you really want to positively influence your hotel’s ratings do it the best way possible – truthfully! You may send Trip Advisor any missing articles and reviews on your hotel, why not ask your guests to write a review? If a guest leaving the hotel drops a complimentary comment your way ask them to share this on Trip Advisor. Over time this activity will add up to a profile on Trip Advisor that reflects your hotel fairly.
Don’t bury your head in the sand, your guests deserve better! Use Trip Advisor to your advantage. The power of online reviews should not be underestimated – good reviews mean more reservations.
About GlobRes
GlobRes provides the best hotel central reservation systems and hotel Internet marketing services for hotels around the world. Connecting hotels with their guests through increased exposure via all channels including GDS, IDS, Digital Marketing and the hotel’s own website. GlobRes operates a fully serviced support centre, offering assistance to hotels in English, Italian, German, Spanish and French.
Editors Note: Please direct all press queries to Samantha Hasler. Tel +41 41 500 0111 or email marketing@globres.com
Monday, June 15, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Are GDS and IDS the right distribution channels for my hotel?
Understanding GDS and IDS
The term GDS stands for Global Distribution Systems. Originally they were created for the airline industry as a tool for travel agents to make flight bookings. Over time more types of reservations have been added including hotel reservations. The term IDS stands for Internet Distribution Services, this simply refers to the Internet portals that offer hotel reservations. Representation for hotels on one or both of these channels can be highly beneficial when used appropriately for suitable hotels.
Over the past 3 years hotel bookings through both GDS and IDS channels have grown considerably attributing to around sixty percent of online room reservations. The increased number of hotels using GDS has resulted in greater choice for travel agents and greater visibility for hotels.
Is GDS relevant for your hotel?
Many hoteliers invest heavily in GDS connectivity and expect it to work with little effort on their part. This happens time and time again and is usually rooted in lack of understanding. GlobRes has established a few key common characteristics which make a hotel more suitable for the GDS. Central location or being located close to an airport are ideal attributes for successful GDS connectivity, room capacity of around 25 - 30 or more can also be beneficial. Hotels with some corporate lodgings and hotels that are not affected by changing seasons also tend to be more successful in terms of GDS. This is not a definitive list and there are exceptions, for example some smaller hotels flourish with GDS because of their location.
There are a number of ways to ensure you get the best out of your GDS connections and IDS connections. Choose an established provider which supplies you with a dedicated account manager. Hoteliers must be prepared to learn from and lean on their Account Manager. Always ask for training and if you need more ask again! Remember it is in the best interest of your Account Manager for you to be as successful as possible with your connections. You must participate to reap the rewards.
For suitable GDS and IDS hotels, there couldn’t be a better time to invest. GDS puts your hotel in front of over 650,000 Travel Agents. Travel agents can immediately see your hotel’s rates and availability together with photos and further information. Today, the majority of guests booking online are not loyal to one hotel; they may also have random booking patterns, booking from hotels that on that day are offering them the best deal. To combat such erratic behaviour hotels must maintain a presence across a host of distribution channels to ensure a sizable share of the online market.
Identify your distribution needs today with GlobRes. To find out more about how GlobRes Hotel Reservation and Marketing services can increase your hotel bookings today please complete our online contact form or visit www.globres.com for more information
About GlobRes
GlobRes provides complete hotel distribution and hotel Internet marketing services for hotels around the world. Connecting hotels with their guests through increased exposure via all channels including GDS, IDS, Digital Marketing and the hotel’s own website. GlobRes operates a fully serviced support centre, offering assistance to hotels in English, Italian, German, Spanish and French.
Editors Note: Please direct all press queries to Samantha Hasler. Tel +41 41 500 0111 or email marketing@globres.com
Friday, May 22, 2009
Embark on a rigorous social media campaign to promote your Hotel’s website and get more reservations today…
Online conversations regarding your hotel continually reinforce the online perception of your hotel to your target audience. Therefore the importance of tactical social media and blogging activities cannot be ignored. Hotels are finding out the hard way that conversations about them are happening online and online communities can be breeding grounds for speculation and rumours. Using social media to manage this risk and to deliver positives to counteract any negatives can be more than just effective in terms of negating any bad press, but also to build your positive “brand noise” and create “brand buzz” around your hotel’s website.
Social media provides new ways to connect with potential guests who you might not be able to get to otherwise, moreover, it can spread your brand presence quickly and further than traditional PR methods. Undertaking social media activity is cost effective and enables hoteliers to meticulously pick social media sites that match your brand and audience closely. The main consideration for hoteliers has to be time; time to write exciting content in the form of articles, press releases and editorial and time to create profiles on the chosen social media outlets and time to add the content regularly and consistently.
Focused, quality content can help to establish your hotel on the internet but be careful, avoid continually adding self serving content that no one wants to read - the trick is to make the content exciting, noteworthy and topical. This content will also provide a vehicle to point links back to your hotel website which is helpful in generating more traffic to your website. The conversion rate of this new source of traffic can be monitored through your hotel reservation system. Think of your website as a “city” and inbound links to your website are routes into your city, by creating more links from high quality, high visibility sources you ensure there are more ways for your potential guests to find you.
Social media is personal and interactive, by utilising this 21st century means of reaching your audience you build deeper relationships that last longer and you come across as open and transparent. Your hotel becomes more than just an entity; it is given human characteristics that give you the edge on your competition. Your past and prospective guest’s opinions and experiences play a vital role in the success of your hotel therefore using social media is key to your credibility.
To find out more about how GlobRes can assist in increasing traffic to your website complete our online contact form or visit www.globres.com for more information.
About GlobRes
GlobRes provides complete hotel distribution and hotel Internet marketing services for hotels around the world. Connecting hotels with their guests through increased exposure via all channels including GDS, IDS, Digital Marketing and the hotel’s own website. GlobRes operates a fully serviced support centre, offering assistance to hotels in English, Italian, German, Spanish and French.
Editors Note: Please direct all press queries to Samantha Hasler. Tel +41 41 500 0111 or email marketing@globres.com
Social media provides new ways to connect with potential guests who you might not be able to get to otherwise, moreover, it can spread your brand presence quickly and further than traditional PR methods. Undertaking social media activity is cost effective and enables hoteliers to meticulously pick social media sites that match your brand and audience closely. The main consideration for hoteliers has to be time; time to write exciting content in the form of articles, press releases and editorial and time to create profiles on the chosen social media outlets and time to add the content regularly and consistently.
Focused, quality content can help to establish your hotel on the internet but be careful, avoid continually adding self serving content that no one wants to read - the trick is to make the content exciting, noteworthy and topical. This content will also provide a vehicle to point links back to your hotel website which is helpful in generating more traffic to your website. The conversion rate of this new source of traffic can be monitored through your hotel reservation system. Think of your website as a “city” and inbound links to your website are routes into your city, by creating more links from high quality, high visibility sources you ensure there are more ways for your potential guests to find you.
Social media is personal and interactive, by utilising this 21st century means of reaching your audience you build deeper relationships that last longer and you come across as open and transparent. Your hotel becomes more than just an entity; it is given human characteristics that give you the edge on your competition. Your past and prospective guest’s opinions and experiences play a vital role in the success of your hotel therefore using social media is key to your credibility.
To find out more about how GlobRes can assist in increasing traffic to your website complete our online contact form or visit www.globres.com for more information.
About GlobRes
GlobRes provides complete hotel distribution and hotel Internet marketing services for hotels around the world. Connecting hotels with their guests through increased exposure via all channels including GDS, IDS, Digital Marketing and the hotel’s own website. GlobRes operates a fully serviced support centre, offering assistance to hotels in English, Italian, German, Spanish and French.
Editors Note: Please direct all press queries to Samantha Hasler. Tel +41 41 500 0111 or email marketing@globres.com
Monday, May 18, 2009
Online Hotel Reservation Tools and Marketing are not just for the Big Players!
Now more than ever, hotel reservation systems are of vital importance to a successful hotel. Why? Because the electronic era is prospering, hoteliers wishing to take a slice of the World Wide Web “pie” must invest in online reservation tools and a rigorous hotel marketing strategy to ensure they triumph. Hotels at the luxury end of the market have found the number electronic room reservations via internet, CRS and GDS rising dramatically throughout 2008. Third party booking sites like HRS.com and hotel.info have brought a rising number of reservations to over eighty percent of hotels. It’s time for the smaller, family run hotels to jump on this bandwagon and enjoy the rewards!
Promoting a hotel digitally, regardless of its size can ensure room capacity is met over night. Significant research suggests that hotels using electronic room sales via central reservation systems and global distribution systems have flourished in 2008. Why? Because digital promotion through IDS, GDS and search engine marketing levels out the playing field. Small hotels can contend with the big players by putting their website in front of a receptive audience looking for a hotel to suit them as closely as possible. The 21st century holiday maker wants information, images and above all CHOICE and they are willing to search across as many channels as they have to to find it. Hoteliers must ensure their website is visible to this magnitude of traffic – how else can you guarantee your potential reservation won’t go to the hotel down the street?
Undeniably, online booking is booming - twelve percent of the hotels in Germany obtain nearly fifty percent of their turnover with electronic sales and hotels which concentrate their sales strategies on online channels are growing strongly. The majority of hotels based in Western Europe use some sort of online distribution channel company and industry professionals everywhere are sending a clear message that hospitality business without an internet strategy is history.
With online hotel booking promising to continue to be important for hotels across the world hoteliers should be looking out for the best hotel booking engines, GDS and IDS systems. Furthermore seeking a partnership agency which also offers exposure across search engine platforms is going to give them the edge on the competition.
Small and medium sized hoteliers are missing out on lucrative bookings and need to be pulled into the 21st century with a cost effective hotel reservations strategy. Statistics are hard to ignore, especially when hotels located closely in proximity to one another are acquiring distinctly different levels of reservations.
Speak to a GlobRes representative today to find out more about how hotel GDS and IDS can increase your hotel bookings. Complete our online contact form or visit www.globres.com for more information.
Editors Note: Please direct all press queries to Samantha Hasler. Tel +34 952939344 or email Samantha@globres.com
Promoting a hotel digitally, regardless of its size can ensure room capacity is met over night. Significant research suggests that hotels using electronic room sales via central reservation systems and global distribution systems have flourished in 2008. Why? Because digital promotion through IDS, GDS and search engine marketing levels out the playing field. Small hotels can contend with the big players by putting their website in front of a receptive audience looking for a hotel to suit them as closely as possible. The 21st century holiday maker wants information, images and above all CHOICE and they are willing to search across as many channels as they have to to find it. Hoteliers must ensure their website is visible to this magnitude of traffic – how else can you guarantee your potential reservation won’t go to the hotel down the street?
Undeniably, online booking is booming - twelve percent of the hotels in Germany obtain nearly fifty percent of their turnover with electronic sales and hotels which concentrate their sales strategies on online channels are growing strongly. The majority of hotels based in Western Europe use some sort of online distribution channel company and industry professionals everywhere are sending a clear message that hospitality business without an internet strategy is history.
With online hotel booking promising to continue to be important for hotels across the world hoteliers should be looking out for the best hotel booking engines, GDS and IDS systems. Furthermore seeking a partnership agency which also offers exposure across search engine platforms is going to give them the edge on the competition.
Small and medium sized hoteliers are missing out on lucrative bookings and need to be pulled into the 21st century with a cost effective hotel reservations strategy. Statistics are hard to ignore, especially when hotels located closely in proximity to one another are acquiring distinctly different levels of reservations.
Speak to a GlobRes representative today to find out more about how hotel GDS and IDS can increase your hotel bookings. Complete our online contact form or visit www.globres.com for more information.
Editors Note: Please direct all press queries to Samantha Hasler. Tel +34 952939344 or email Samantha@globres.com
Friday, May 15, 2009
Attention Hoteliers! Beat the Recession with Globres Hotel Reservation Services!
Sleepless nights over vacant hotel rooms are a thing of the past for hotel’s using GlobRes GDS and IDS services. Times are tough for many Hoteliers and the recession cannot be ignored, however hundreds of hotels using GlobRes’s hotel reservation systems & marketing service are thriving nonetheless.
Why? Because GlobRes treats hotel marketing uniquely, investing time and energy into supporting client’s needs and requirements on an on-going basis. Purchasing GDS or IDS from GlobRes comes with your very own dedicated Account Manager providing ongoing support, training and advice. This support is invaluable ensuring Hoteliers get the most out of their reservation acquisition strategy. By connecting hotels to 650,000 travel agents across the globe and ensuring visibility on the most prestigious travel websites, GlobRes maximizes your hotel’s online and offline presence ensuring more room reservations and increasing hotel brand awareness.
Hand in hand with the GlobRes GDS and IDS booking channels comes the hotel web booking engine. Built with the latest technology, the GlobRes Guest Connect Web Booking Engine is centrally managed from the GlobRes Control Centre. Customised to match individual hotel websites, the system is fully integrated, user friendly and reliable. Making a reservation quickly and easily is the crux of this hotel booking tool, potential guests can book their room in 25 languages and see at-a-glance availability calendars. Moreover, specific codes can be attributed to guests, travel agents, wedding parties, groups or even tour operators to provide exclusive access to negotiated rates or promotions.
Enabling Hotelier’s to shape and style the hotel booking engine according to their needs puts GlobRes’s reservation system heads and shoulders above the rest. By adding multiple room images, communicating hotel policies and welcoming guests with automated confirmation emails, Hoteliers are ensuring guests have a positive experience of the hotel before they even arrive. The tool really does go the extra mile projecting the right hotel image whilst serving the invaluable purpose of booking up hotel rooms!
To find out more about how GlobRes Hotel Reservation and Marketing services can increase your hotel bookings today please complete our online contact form or visit http://www.globres.com/ for more information.
Editors Note: Please direct all press queries to Samantha Hasler. Tel +34 952939344 or email Samantha@globres.com
Why? Because GlobRes treats hotel marketing uniquely, investing time and energy into supporting client’s needs and requirements on an on-going basis. Purchasing GDS or IDS from GlobRes comes with your very own dedicated Account Manager providing ongoing support, training and advice. This support is invaluable ensuring Hoteliers get the most out of their reservation acquisition strategy. By connecting hotels to 650,000 travel agents across the globe and ensuring visibility on the most prestigious travel websites, GlobRes maximizes your hotel’s online and offline presence ensuring more room reservations and increasing hotel brand awareness.
Hand in hand with the GlobRes GDS and IDS booking channels comes the hotel web booking engine. Built with the latest technology, the GlobRes Guest Connect Web Booking Engine is centrally managed from the GlobRes Control Centre. Customised to match individual hotel websites, the system is fully integrated, user friendly and reliable. Making a reservation quickly and easily is the crux of this hotel booking tool, potential guests can book their room in 25 languages and see at-a-glance availability calendars. Moreover, specific codes can be attributed to guests, travel agents, wedding parties, groups or even tour operators to provide exclusive access to negotiated rates or promotions.
Enabling Hotelier’s to shape and style the hotel booking engine according to their needs puts GlobRes’s reservation system heads and shoulders above the rest. By adding multiple room images, communicating hotel policies and welcoming guests with automated confirmation emails, Hoteliers are ensuring guests have a positive experience of the hotel before they even arrive. The tool really does go the extra mile projecting the right hotel image whilst serving the invaluable purpose of booking up hotel rooms!
To find out more about how GlobRes Hotel Reservation and Marketing services can increase your hotel bookings today please complete our online contact form or visit http://www.globres.com/ for more information.
Editors Note: Please direct all press queries to Samantha Hasler. Tel +34 952939344 or email Samantha@globres.com
GlobRes becomes a “one stop shop” for hoteliers breaking into digital era….
Globres, a business that provides complete hotel distribution and Internet marketing services globally, announced today that they are launching a hotel web design product for hotels. GlobRes has introduced this service to meet the increasing demand for a fully serviced hotel reservations and marketing strategy from clients. Hotels can now choose from a suite of website templates that are user friendly, attractive and fully integrated with the GlobRes web booking engine. The implementation of this turn-key solution for hoteliers can only be positive as they can now sit back, relax and let the GlobRes team work their magic. Clients receive both their website and web booking engine going live simultaneously ensuring that reservations are managed effectively through the internet from the first second they go online.
It is undeniable, hotels need technology to help grow their online presence so that property managers are given the flexibility to market their property to a diverse customer base. Industry leader GlobRes takes this notion even further by creating websites for hoteliers that are in sync with a hotel reservations system prior to the website being accessible. Gaining the trust and respect of online audiences is paramount if you want your hotel to succeed online. GlobRes websites are designed with this firmly in mind, incorporating all elements of best practice search engine optimization making the sites both search engine and user-friendly.
A GlobRes representative commented “Recently we have experienced a growth in demand for a more holistic approach to hotel marketing. Fortunately at GlobRes we have the skills and expertise in place to respond to this demand with a fresh and innovative web design package readily available with our built in web booking engine. Long gone are the days of headaches over paperwork and overbooking nightmares for hoteliers. This is an exciting time for GlobRes and for hotels looking for more from their reservations strategy.”
Globres provides complete hotel distribution and hotel Internet marketing services for hotels around the world. Connecting hotels with their guests through increased exposure via all channels including GDS, IDS, Digital Marketing and the hotel’s own website. GlobRes operates a fully -serviced support centre.
To find out more about how GlobRes Hotel Reservation and Marketing services can increase your hotel bookings today please complete our online contact form or visit http://www.globres.com/ for more information.
Editors Note: Please direct all press queries to Samantha Hasler. Tel +34 952939344 or email Samantha@globres.com
It is undeniable, hotels need technology to help grow their online presence so that property managers are given the flexibility to market their property to a diverse customer base. Industry leader GlobRes takes this notion even further by creating websites for hoteliers that are in sync with a hotel reservations system prior to the website being accessible. Gaining the trust and respect of online audiences is paramount if you want your hotel to succeed online. GlobRes websites are designed with this firmly in mind, incorporating all elements of best practice search engine optimization making the sites both search engine and user-friendly.
A GlobRes representative commented “Recently we have experienced a growth in demand for a more holistic approach to hotel marketing. Fortunately at GlobRes we have the skills and expertise in place to respond to this demand with a fresh and innovative web design package readily available with our built in web booking engine. Long gone are the days of headaches over paperwork and overbooking nightmares for hoteliers. This is an exciting time for GlobRes and for hotels looking for more from their reservations strategy.”
Globres provides complete hotel distribution and hotel Internet marketing services for hotels around the world. Connecting hotels with their guests through increased exposure via all channels including GDS, IDS, Digital Marketing and the hotel’s own website. GlobRes operates a fully -serviced support centre.
To find out more about how GlobRes Hotel Reservation and Marketing services can increase your hotel bookings today please complete our online contact form or visit http://www.globres.com/ for more information.
Editors Note: Please direct all press queries to Samantha Hasler. Tel +34 952939344 or email Samantha@globres.com
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