tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1472260499735116551.post8538588563359483797..comments2023-03-25T18:17:31.734+04:00Comments on Hotel and Service Industry Blog - Management Tips and Ideas for Professionals - by RSVP Hospitality: How to shift from OTAs to Direct bookingRevenue Maximization to the Profit Therapyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03386102442471364884noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1472260499735116551.post-8791097858105077592013-04-13T15:38:03.487+04:002013-04-13T15:38:03.487+04:00OTA now understands the threat branded websites ha...OTA now understands the threat branded websites have become for them,increasing competitions and have developed their own loyalty programs and value added services of benefits; Reviews Ranking, Expedia Corporate booking tool, Earning points and miles, package with airlines, car rentals etc. They are constantly innovating. <br /><br />The internet is the next future amounting to 80% of hotels bookings in the coming years. Due to this wholesalers have developed their operations on the web as well. We are in the age of too much information, thus confusing the customers. <br /><br />Hence, developing a loyalty program only can prove a success story for the hotel. In the age of price sensitive customers, making customer loyal is very important, thus providing additional benefits in terms of amenities, which cannot be offered by the OTA. <br /><br />Moreover, I'll add once the customer is in the hotel regardless from where they booked, the employees can capture the customers and entice them to book directly next time by giving interesting offers. Knowing that OTA has 20-25% commission or mark up, giving a 10% to 15% discount if the customer reserve directly can only be beneficial to the bottom line. <br /><br />Sending offers to the customer database and as highlighted already above, the active participation in social media will divert customers back to the hotel website. <br /><br />Hence, hotels have to constantly be on the edge of innovation and creativity. OTA are limited in terms of offerings due to their technological constraints and given that they have more hotels to take care of. <br /><br />However, hotels are not really limited in terms of offering, hence tailor made packages can be proposed to drive the to the branded website. <br /><br />Moreover, the increasing implications of comparing sites, such as Kayak, Trip adviser and so on affects the drive to web for hotels. Hence position the hotels and buying some key words from the search engines can proved to be key to their drive to web strategy. Kamlesh Oomarowhttp://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=58997344&trk=tab_pronoreply@blogger.com