Argophilia

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Bookings

The Reality of Hotel Website Conversion from FASTBOOKING

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A new report out from FASTBOOKING reveals that the average hotel website conversion rate is only 2.2 %. The same report also tells us that the top 20 % of hotels convert at a rate of 5.6 %, while the bottom fifth only convert at a pitiful 0.3%. Clearly, the spread in between leaves a gulf of disparity. For hoteliers wanting to get a grip on how to bring their properties into optimization, this FASTBOOKING paper offers help.  

FastBooking Report Reveals Recipe for Direct Distribution

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A new report and a revealing graphic from FastBooking reminds us that hotelier uptake for using more and more advanced tools and strategies needs to be incremental. The report entitled “A guide for independent hotels: budget hotels, small luxury hotels, and hotel groups” shows how CRM and other energies need to work hand-in-hand with websites, social, SEO and SEM, email marketing, metasearch and other facets to spur direct bookings.

OTA Package Deal Races On

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News from Orbitz Chicago headquarters tells of the company’s latest partnering deal with Hawaiian Airlines, a private labeling solution supposed to power hotel and vacation packaging bookings. The prospective “win-win” being Obritz on the airline’s website, and Hawaiian taking advantage of Orbitz leverage.

Selling Soap, Seats, & Other Hospitality Services In 2012

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An article on Tnooz last Friday peaked our interest, Xotels boss Patrick Landman offering up key variables in what will become the biggest online trade war ever. When Google, all the big corporate OTAs, and key independent online travel entities lock horns for a final round, a few will not be left standing.

Orbitz Worldwide & Travelport: Ups & Downs

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Travelport and Orbitz are in the positive and negative news again today. Travelport for any number of announcements of business dealings, and Orbitz for a very negative S & P rating they just received. Since it was announced that Travelport needed to restructure its dept, it seems as if neither of these online travel giants can catch a break.

Travel Media Group Launches Edgy Marketing Tool

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In travel technology news, Travel Media Group has just launched Travel Media Interactive, a so called next generation marketing and reputation management tool. A division of Dominion Enterprises, TMG is targeted at online marketing solutions for the travel industry.

Skyscanner Sets Sights on Asia Market

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Travel search innovators Skyscanner, one of the world’s most useful travel search tools, has announced a year to year revenue increase of 75 percent. Also in their news, the company’s growth trajectory has also paved the way for expansion in Asia via operations in Singapore. With emerging markets being underutilized, can companies like Skyscanner gain a foothold?

Vayant Travel Tech and 2e Systems Enhance airBaltic

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In news from Frankfurt today, Vayant Travel Technologies announced a partnership with 2e Systems for providing solutions for airBaltic. According to the news, 2e’s booking engine, along with Vayant’s Microproducts – FareList, TaxQuote, and IntelliPricer, will provide a “new breed” of tech solutions for airlines.

Availpro Expands Adding Horsepower for Hotels

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France’s Availpro promises to add horsepower for small and medium sized hotel bookings. A recent expansion into the online travel market in Spain signals the company’s popularity with hoteliers in Europe. Just how many horses the company can provide depends a great deal on the end user as usual.