.
.
It has become imperative for hotels to stay on top of innovation if they wish to boost their business’s visibility and increase their reach.
That’s where OTAs can help. Let me explain how.
Welcome to another edition of Hospitality Property School.
I am your instructor, Gerry MacPherson.
.
Online Travel Agencies Introduction
Today’s episode comes from Karan Iyer of Aiosell, an Automated Hotel Revenue Management Software company.
We are not supporting them as your only option, you should always shop around to find a company that best serves your needs but their information is great and they are definitely worth checking out.
.
Online travel agencies (OTAs) are travel booking websites that offer the convenience of making bookings for hotels, transportation, and tours online. With built-in systems for price comparison, instant booking, and a self-service approach, OTA websites are popular among travellers across the world.
.
The exposure offered by online travel agencies for hotels is larger than what is achieved by individual hotel websites. Additionally, users trust and respect the recommendations made by OTA websites.
.
However, hotels need to make a focused marketing effort to make the most of their partnership with online travel agencies. OTA hotel management gives hotels of all categories a good opportunity to showcase the bargains, conveniences, and luxuries they offer for travellers.
.
Here’s a look at 7 secret strategies that hotels can use to leverage their presence on OTA websites –
.
.
-
Maintain an updated hotel OTA profile
The hotel profile on an OTA is like an online brochure for travellers to see before they make a booking. Some good ideas for a hotel profile include eye-catching photography and well-written descriptions about the uniqueness of the hotel. Making efforts to create and update your hotel profile can drastically improve the OTA hotel bookings you receive per year.
.
.
-
Benefit Packages
OTAs offer a variety of benefit packages to travellers for popular destinations. Such packages include airfare, hotel stay, and local transportation for one lump-sum amount. Being a part of such packages is always profitable for hotels. Travellers who purchase such packages tend to stay longer and spend more on hotel bookings.
.
.
-
Access to Traveler Database
Partnering with online travel agencies gets hotels access traveller information for travellers who book often for the same destination. Hotels can use this data to urge frequent travellers to join their loyalty program or to make repeat bookings at discounted rates.
.
.
-
Optimized OTA Content
Hotels that maintain an updated OTA profile with new images every once in a while with accurate room and facilities descriptions, tend to rank higher in search results on OTA platforms. Optimize the content with keywords and pictures to gain exposure to the maximum number of travellers on OTA websites.
.
.
-
Hotel Revenue Management Software
Integrate your hotel revenue management software with the OTA software to gather valuable data about the exact sources of your bookings. This helps hotels plan their marketing efforts much more objectively.
.
.
-
Manage Hotel Reviews
Travellers write candid reviews on OTA websites to share their experiences with other travellers. Positive reviews are easy to manage, but for negative reviews ensure that you post a hotel response addressing the issues raised. Amicable responses to negative reviews create trust and goodwill.
.
.
-
Check Offerings From Top Ranking Hotels
Explore the profiles of top-ranking hotels and check the offers they are featuring. Frame your marketing strategy based on these offerings to enhance your hotel OTA ranking.
.
.
In conclusion
Every channel of hotel booking is crucial for hotels in this recessionary period. OTA platforms offer greater exposure and are the best online medium to connect with thousands of travellers. The right OTA profile can make a big difference in getting hotel bookings.
.
.
To find out more about Karan Iyer and Aiosell, visit the episode show notes. You can find the link in the description.
.
.
Author Bio:
Karan Iyer is an end-to-end digital marketer and blogger who inherently understands the hotel industry with his hospitality background. Karan knows how to convert the pain points and challenges of the hotel industry into business opportunities, and that’s what he writes about for his readers. He also shares industry trends, insights and news to help his readers stay up-to-date.
.
.
.
.
Are you using online travel agencies for your property?
Let me know in the comments.
.
You will have access to this post for the next six weeks and then it will get locked in the vault for Hospitality Property School Group members only.
When you see that we have something new, don’t mark it “Unread” or file it away in the belief you’ll read it later because you might miss your chance.
.
To see all the other valuable material you’d have access to as a member of the Hospitality Property School Group, check out the short video in the episode post-show notes.
.
.
.
In the next episode, I will talk about Revenue Management.
.
.
That’s it for today’s episode,
Until next time, have a fun day.
.
Get a jump on your success by getting tips & techniques to help your property grow by signing up for your weekly editions of INNsider Tips? You can find the link in the show notes.
.
⇒ TO READ OR LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE ON KEYSTONE HOSPITALITY PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT:
.
.
Get Your INNsider Tips
.
.
Join one of your private groups
https://keystonehospitalitydevelopment.com/private-groups
.
.
Say hi on social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeystoneHDC
.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KeystoneHDC
.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/keystone-hospitality-development
.
.
Listen to The Hospitality Property School PODCAST here
keystonehpd.com/hospitality-property-school-podcasts
.
.
YouTube
.
.
A Division of Keystone Hospitality Property Development
.
