Hospitality providers are turning more and more to Facebook Hotel Marketing & Bookings to attract business. The New York Times ran an article in April 2011 reporting that hotels now offer reservation services through Facebook (FB) and smart phone apps using 3rd party apps supplies by travel companies that have these advanced Tourism Marketing Platforms
When a customer clicks the 'Like' button on a hospitality company's FB page, this opens a dialogue whereby they can find out anything from what sort of pillow they prefer to what they want stocked in their mini bar. The new Booking and Content manager systems Noted in the New York Times Survey of April 2011, puts all of the hotel brand information, rooms, rates and even special prices, right on the FB pages, creating more engagement. These applications save hotels and travel operators considerable time by automating the setup and the maintenance of all data in a single admin system, that can be also used to market the hotel in other channels as well as manage their own bookings in mobile phones and on their websites.
A travel research organization recently conducted a poll that showed over 30% of smart phone users expect to book hotel reservations some time in the next year by using their mobile telephones. More than a tenth of users of social networking sites plan to shop for travel deals on these sites.
Many large hospitality chains now offer patrons to check in using their smart phone. Guests can check in at the airport and pick up their key when they arrive at the hotel. Yet another has a mobile phone app through which guests can make or change a reservation or have a meal waiting for them in their room as soon as they arrive.
FB as the inherent flexibility of guests adding up to the minute comments on the company's 'Wall', either reviewing their experience afterwards or communicating with staff during their stay. Guests can even communicate with each other, either making real time social arrangements or catching up long after they've gone home. The company, on the other hand, has the ability to post updates, contests or special offers. These options simply aren't available on conventional web sites or online travel agencies.
Twitter provides unlimited opportunities for the hospitality industry to keep in touch with its clientele. Large chains have individual accounts for their businesses in every city and separate corporate streams for general info and updates, a 'concierge' stream and a separate account yet for recruiting staff. A popular socialite who is married to an iconic hospitality mogul and a shrewd businesswoman in her own right, for example, has over a million followers.
By providing the facility for direct booking through popular social networking sites and phone apps, the travel company saves money by not having to pay commission fees to online reservations agencies.
Maintaining a presence on social networking sites enables travel companies to entice potential clients away from online agencies, which charge a fee for each reservation. Not only does this save money by having customers book direct, it enables them to monitor complaints or let customers know when someone has posted a review of their experience of their stay with the company.
Facebook and similar sites provide key demographic data to the modern travel company, telling them what times of day and months of the year people are Googling for travel info. This helps them to target their advertising campaigns more effectively and find the best times and types of special offers and contests for free travel.
When a customer clicks the 'Like' button on a hospitality company's FB page, this opens a dialogue whereby they can find out anything from what sort of pillow they prefer to what they want stocked in their mini bar. The new Booking and Content manager systems Noted in the New York Times Survey of April 2011, puts all of the hotel brand information, rooms, rates and even special prices, right on the FB pages, creating more engagement. These applications save hotels and travel operators considerable time by automating the setup and the maintenance of all data in a single admin system, that can be also used to market the hotel in other channels as well as manage their own bookings in mobile phones and on their websites.
A travel research organization recently conducted a poll that showed over 30% of smart phone users expect to book hotel reservations some time in the next year by using their mobile telephones. More than a tenth of users of social networking sites plan to shop for travel deals on these sites.
Many large hospitality chains now offer patrons to check in using their smart phone. Guests can check in at the airport and pick up their key when they arrive at the hotel. Yet another has a mobile phone app through which guests can make or change a reservation or have a meal waiting for them in their room as soon as they arrive.
FB as the inherent flexibility of guests adding up to the minute comments on the company's 'Wall', either reviewing their experience afterwards or communicating with staff during their stay. Guests can even communicate with each other, either making real time social arrangements or catching up long after they've gone home. The company, on the other hand, has the ability to post updates, contests or special offers. These options simply aren't available on conventional web sites or online travel agencies.
Twitter provides unlimited opportunities for the hospitality industry to keep in touch with its clientele. Large chains have individual accounts for their businesses in every city and separate corporate streams for general info and updates, a 'concierge' stream and a separate account yet for recruiting staff. A popular socialite who is married to an iconic hospitality mogul and a shrewd businesswoman in her own right, for example, has over a million followers.
By providing the facility for direct booking through popular social networking sites and phone apps, the travel company saves money by not having to pay commission fees to online reservations agencies.
Maintaining a presence on social networking sites enables travel companies to entice potential clients away from online agencies, which charge a fee for each reservation. Not only does this save money by having customers book direct, it enables them to monitor complaints or let customers know when someone has posted a review of their experience of their stay with the company.
Facebook and similar sites provide key demographic data to the modern travel company, telling them what times of day and months of the year people are Googling for travel info. This helps them to target their advertising campaigns more effectively and find the best times and types of special offers and contests for free travel.
About the Author:
Facebook hotel bookings are just one example of methods to use social media to enhance sales. Your Hotel and Travel Fans can make use of Facebook hotel marketing App to get quotes and book. Featured in New York Times. This article, Facebook Hotel Marketing & Bookings - The Personal Touch is available for free reprint.
No comments:
Post a Comment