Grasp Technologies’ Post

Supplier content disintermediation strategies persist. Yes, AA has walked backed its content strategy for now but outside of GDS access how much has really changed? It was also easily predictable that the hotels would follow. Hilton is doing much the same as is Marriott - a chipping away at the intermediaries with a focus and reward to brand loyalty and direct bookings. Airlines and hotels are trying to consolidate segment types on their websites but perhaps keep assuming that a new booking solution is the answer to consolidate traveler behavior. This strategy has worked for literally no one. CapTrav is a better answer. Book where you want. Access the best fares and rates, take advantage of your loyalty programs. Consolidate and normalize data for spend leverage, duty of care, expense, and better business analytics. Supplier strategies like this are no longer a trend. It's becoming the norm. Come see what we are doing at GBTA - we built CapTrav because we saw this coming..... https://lnkd.in/eKQF-q6q

🚨 New Regulations on Booking. com: A Game Changer for Hotel Direct Bookings? 🚨 Have you heard the latest? The EU has designated "Booking. com" as a “Gatekeeper” under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). This pivotal decision is set to revolutionize the playing field for hotels across Europe. 🇪🇺 For years, hotels have grappled with stringent best-price clauses and limited access to vital customer data, handcuffing their ability to optimize direct bookings. The DMA’s latest enforcement could dismantle these barriers, offering a fresh start for hoteliers. Here’s what it means for your hotel: 1. Best Price Freedom: The relaxation of best-price clauses means you can now offer better deals directly to your guests without constraints. 2. Direct Booking Empowerment: Hotels will have the right to promote direct bookings more aggressively, sidestepping OTA monopolies. 3. Data Access: Gain invaluable insights as Booking. com must now share user data, enhancing your marketing strategies. Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President and Commissioner for Competition, believes this will “increase business opportunities for hotels and offer holidaymakers greater choice.” This isn’t just a shift; it’s a strategic advantage handed to hoteliers. Is your hotel ready to seize this opportunity? As the landscape evolves, enhancing your online presence and marketing strategy is more crucial than ever. If you’re pondering how to maximize these new advantages for direct bookings and need strategic guidance, let’s connect! 📈 💬 Share your thoughts on how these changes could reshape the hotel industry. Are you prepared for an increase in direct bookings? #HotelMarketing #DigitalMarketsAct #DirectBooking #HospitalityIndustry #OnlineMarketing #BookingDotCom

Exciting times in the hospitality sector as global brands like Hilton are proudly showcasing their digital worthiness! Hilton's latest venture, "Hilton for Business," exemplifies a keen understanding of today's digitally-enabled customer experience. Why is this significant? It's a clear indicator that major players are prioritizing digital enablement, recognizing its critical role in enhancing customer experience. This aligns perfectly with the ethos behind our Digital Worthiness Rating system at AT Worthy. Hilton's commitment, highlighted in their recent blog post, mirrors the growing trend of integrating digital along the customer journey: before, during, and after. It's a testament to the importance of digital readiness in today's business landscape. #DigitalWorthiness #DigitalFirstExperience https://lnkd.in/eUmBc-yR

When we rolled out a "subscription program" here at citizenM hotels, I was admittedly a bit skeptical. I had never really heard of one in hotels before.....I was only familiar with loyalty programs. Also, with duty of care, leakage to outside channels, and GDS being the standard all being of top importance to our buyer contacts....how would a program like this truly fare? I quickly learned and saw the value in such a program, which we call mycitizenM+. The road warriors, nomads, and just all out fans of citizenM always receive the best published rate, a 100% guaranteed room, late checkout, F&B discounts, and a lot of other great perks. When you do the math, within 1-2 stays, you've made your yearly fee back, and we've gained your loyalty.....without points. 😁 While the program isn't for everyone....well.....neither is citizenM! I can wholeheartedly say though that my skepticism has subsided, and if you or someone you know loves our hotels and workspaces, this is a great way to save some $$$ during a time of sky high rates and prices. Check out citizenM.com for more info.

Simplifying the Buyer’s Journey to Boost Revenue During High Season for Boutique Hotels The high season is a golden opportunity for boutique hotels to maximize revenue, but are we making it as easy as possible for our guests to book their stay? Here are some key strategies to streamline the buyer’s journey and enhance your revenue: 🔍 *Personalized Website Experience* Ensure your website is user-friendly, fast, and personalized. Use data-driven insights to recommend rooms, packages, and experiences based on the visitor's preferences. 📱 *Mobile Optimization* With a significant number of bookings happening on mobile, having a responsive and fast mobile site is crucial. Ensure your booking process is seamless across all devices. 💬 *Live Chat Support* Integrate live chat support to assist potential guests in real-time. Answering queries instantly can significantly reduce booking drop-offs. 🛠️ *Simple Booking Process* Reduce the number of steps required to complete a booking. Implement one-click booking options and ensure all necessary information is captured in the fewest steps possible. 💳 *Flexible Payment Options* Offer multiple payment methods, including digital wallets, and ensure the process is secure and hassle-free. Flexibility in payment can be a deciding factor for many guests. 📧 *Effective Follow-Up* Post-booking, send confirmation emails with all necessary details and personalized recommendations for their stay. Keep the communication clear and engaging. 🌟 *Leverage Reviews and Testimonials* Highlight guest reviews and testimonials prominently on your website. Authentic feedback builds trust and can be the final push needed for a potential guest to make a booking. Implementing these strategies not only enhances the guest experience but also drives higher conversion rates and boosts revenue. Let’s make the high season truly rewarding! 💼✨ #BoutiqueHotels #CustomerExperience #HotelManagement #HighSeasonSuccess #TravelIndustry #RevenueGrowth #GuestSatisfaction

🇪🇺 A Monumental Shift for Hoteliers (if they act, fast) as the EU recognises Booking .com as a 'gatekeeper'... Stewart Moss MIH, Managing Director at High Level Software, part of the Zonal family, explains - "Last Monday marked a significant milestone for the hospitality industry as the European Union designated Booking .com, a prominent Online Travel Agency (OTA), as a gatekeeper under the Digital Markets Act. This highly anticipated decision empowers hotels to take back control over their pricing strategies, placing them firmly in command of their product offerings." Stewart adds, "In short, hoteliers now have a huge opportunity to ensure that their digital journey is perfect to drive more direct business than ever before. What's significant is that this EC decision should serve as a call to action for hoteliers to reassess their strategies and improve their understanding of shifting consumer behaviours and the mastery of digital tools." To read the full article, click here 👉 https://lnkd.in/e4GGnKFj #ZonalUK #HLS #EU #Hotels #OTAs #Bookings #HospitalityTech

📦 "Subscriptions" - blanket word, often thought of as a D2C box of various items delivered to your door at a regular cadence. 🤝 This business model of regular, recurring, revenue, is an eye-catcher for a number of reasons but most importantly, because it increases CLV and builds brand loyalty. 🛎 Once upon a time, I was the face that greeted many at the front desk of some of the best boutique hotels in WA. I knew who was checking in, their loyalty status, and their favorite rooms. ✈ This was an "exclusive" club of the most frequent, intrepid, travelers BUT could be earned by anyone who simply upped their time spent away from home. I can't even tell you how many times people would ask if they could buy into Hilton Honors' Gold status for that sweet corner room with a view to no avail. 🥊 Since ~2020 the travel and hospitality industry are now becoming some of the most innovative contenders in the evolution of subscriptions. Selina , Inspirato , & citizenM hotels are the better-known names by digital nomads, taking the lead in this arena. Offering multiple night stays, preference, and location changes all for a monthly or even yearly fee. Grab your popcorn 🍿 subscriptions are getting juicy...

We are excited to announce a new capability in Hoteliers.Guru Channel Manager application that can make import of your Expedia Group reservations easier. In the past, when a property connected to a new connectivity software provider, it wasn't easy to import existing Expedia Group reservations. Today, you can import all Expedia Group reservations for your properties from the channel manager with the new reservation retrieval capability! See the press release by following the link below ... #partnerships #hoteldistribution #hotels #onlinebooking #otas #expedia #expediagroup #awardwinningteam #preferredpartner #channelpartners #channelmanager #hotelindustry #thailandtravel #thailand #phuket

In today's competitive landscape, Travel Agents & Travel Booking platforms are constantly seeking ways to optimize operations and maximize revenue. Here's the question: Are you: >> Struggling with manual booking processes? >> Looking for ways to boost guest satisfaction and loyalty? >> Unsure how to leverage technology for increased profitability? If you answered YES to any of these, then you're not alone. The good news: advanced technology integration can be your game-changer! Click here: https://lnkd.in/dXCXfktv #hospitalitytechnology #revenuemaximization #hoteloperations #guestsatisfaction #traveltech

Boosting Bookings: How Channel Manager Technology Revolutionizes Hospitality 🚀 The hospitality industry has seen remarkable changes thanks to channel manager technology 🎯. Gone are the days when hoteliers relied solely on Retail Travel Agents (RTAs) 🏨. Now, channel manager systems offer a streamlined approach to reaching potential guests and boosting revenues 📈. Channel managers play a crucial role in hotel operations, enabling hoteliers to efficiently manage multiple online travel agents (OTAs), global distribution systems (GDS), and metasearch sites from a single platform 🌐. These systems enhance a hotel's online presence while ensuring consistent experiences across channels 🤝. Key Elements of Channel Management: 1.  Centralized Inventory Distribution: Cloud-based channel managers enable real-time inventory and rate distribution across OTAs, metasearch sites, and direct booking websites ☁️. 2.  Competitive Pricing: Leveraging demand data and pricing intelligence, hotels can dynamically adjust prices to maximize occupancy and revenue 📊. 3.  Channel Economics: Analyzing demand patterns, costs, profitability, and cancellation trends helps optimize channel strategies 📉. 4.  Reputation Management: Monitoring online reviews and ratings impacts conversion rates across channels 🌟. Benefits of Channel Manager Technology: 1.  Greater Distribution Reach: Hotels can connect with a vast network of distribution channels, increasing bookings through popular OTAs like Booking.com and Expedia 🌎. 2.  Real-Time Information: Automated updates ensure accurate information on room availability across channels ⏱️. 3.  Operational Efficiency: Automating rate and inventory updates saves time and reduces errors 🕒. 4.  Unified Inventory View: Centralized dashboards provide real-time information on room types, pricing, availability, and bookings 🖥️. Channel manager technology is transforming the hospitality industry, providing seamless solutions for distribution and guest experience ✨. #HospitalityTech #ChannelManagement #HotelIndustry #BookingBoost 🚀 Source: https://lnkd.in/dgxSyVG2