Sophisticated Online Lodging Solutions
In my last blog posting entitled "Lodging Managers - Are You Monitoring Your Competitors?" - I talked about the importance of consistently looking at how your adversaries are going to market. Case and point - see the HomeAway ad that came into my email box this morning. Know that all of the hyperlinks were "live" in the email; I have pasted-in the email as an image (so the links are not active).
Whether you are in the hotel business or manage vacation rentals, HomeAway is targeting your same prospects and their vacation-dollars. And they are a major force to be reckoned with - to be sure. At least once a week I receive the HomeAway mailing and I am always impressed with their keen marketing skills. Here they are now getting a jump on the competition and already starting their Summer blitz....
While it is still January, are you starting to think about Summer and getting a jump on your target marketing? Please consider doing so, and please start monitoring the competition.
Want to schedule a fast, no-obligation online meeting where we can discuss your seasonal marketing campaign planning? Call 1-800-941-0868 x 934 or email: joel@bookt.com. There has never been a better time to plan ahead and Get Bookt!
At Bookt, we recommend that someone on your Lodging Management Team should be monitoring the competition, including what they are offering in terms of online "Specials" and "Deals". Further, it is important to view the competition not only as your local hotels, resorts and vacation rentals – but also look at this in a general way as you can learn a great deal from national and global competitors who are communicating with and targeting the same travel shopper demographics that you are. How to collect competitive intelligence? Regarding your local competitors, we recommend you visit their websites on a frequent and consistent basis. At least once a month. Certainly someone on your staff can make this happen and write up a brief report to share with your entire team. How about other non-local competitors vying for the same travel dollars and demographic? Sign up for newsletters from Orbitz, Expedia, Hotels.com and the like. I also get a weekly email from Budget Travel, and it is always filled with ideas that would be useful for Lodging Managers to review and process. You might find ideas here that will generate an idea for your lodging business. Do any of these “steals and splurges” promotions turn on your creative juices for your property or rentals? The Amazon & Inca Trail from $2285 for 15 days: Book an Intrepid trip in the Americas and save up to 15% or enter to WIN a trip for two in North, South or Central America! (From Intrepid Travel) Book Now and Save up to $770 on Breezes Escapes: There's never been a better time to take a Breezes Resorts & Spas getaway. Book a 2010 Breezes escape now & save up to $770. (From Breezes Resorts & Spas) MGM Grand's Guest Privilege Program: Join Prima for a complete VIP experience. Includes free suite upgrades, limo transfers, 2-for-1 entrees and more. (From MGM Grand Las Vegas) Experience Maui's Hawaiian Hotel for $159/night! The perfect place for a getaway! Free nightly hula show, Hawaiian activities, children's program & more. Rates from $159/nt! (From Kaanapali Beach Hotel) Tahiti–5 night getaway from $1,399. Escape to the paradise of Tahiti with this exclusive 5 night package from $1,399 incl. air, hotel and daily breakfast. (From Tahiti Tourisme) Finally – compare your website’s performance to your competitors with tools like www.compete.com. The data is not always perfect, but you can learn a great deal from this type of service and like all of the above, can ultimately help you put the pieces together and achieve your revenue goals. Want to talk about competitive intelligence in the lodging industry? Call 1-800-941-0868 x 934 or email: joel@bookt.com. There has never been a better time to improve your marketing reach and Get Bookt!
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