Hoteliers appear to be coming round to the world of mobile and yet another new channel to manage - 66% believe it is now important to offer bookings via a handset.
A study of 800 UK property owners by TripAdvisor found that 75% of hoteliers are prioritising mobile as a new booking channel, contrasting with a still substantial 62% of B&B owners.
Property owners are placing greater importance on mobile, online marketing and social media techniques, TripAdvisor claims, with the study also indicating the most popular methods of showcasing deals to customers:
- 75% - own website
- 39% - email
- 25% - user-generated review sites
- 22% - social media
- 20% - online travel agencies
- 14% - direct mail newsletters or coupons
- 8% - travel agencies
- 5% - blogs
Meanwhile, hoteliers have also shared their most common deals offered to customers - two of five hoteliers offer a room discount, 38% go for special amenities, 37% free parking, 14% free night's stay, 9% deals on local tours and activities.
TripAdvisor, inevitably (thus the release of the survey), comes out top for 71% of hoteliers as their "most effective" social media channel.
Facebook works for 16% of hoteliers, but a lowly 4% cite Twitter and just 1% mention FourSquare or LinkedIn.