Barceló
Hotels, Millennium Hotels and Resorts and Pestana Hotel Group are the first
hotel chains to join Tripadvisor Plus, offering exclusive rates and perks such
as welcome gifts and dining and spa credits to subscribers of the new
service.
Tripadvisor
Plus launched
to consumers in the United States in mid-June after six months in beta. Subscribers
pay a $99 annual fee that gives them access to a variety of benefits such as special
rates and perks from participating hotels, savings on car rentals from Hertz, discounts on tours, and attractions, alerts about flight deals and personalized travel tips via text.
Tripadvisor
says Plus gives the three hotel group partners “an innovative new model of room
distribution,” whereby they do not pay a commission fee to Tripadvisor for
bookings made by subscribers, and they get access to all customer information
for Plus reservations so they can communicate directly with those guests
Participating properties also get enhanced visibility and special badging on
Tripadvisor to attract Plus members.
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“Tripadvisor
Plus is so attractive not just for the savings it offers savvy travelers, but
also for the VIP perks that can help elevate their travel experience. That is
exactly what these three partners will deliver, and we’re excited about the
wide range of accommodations that will be available to our members,” says
Kanika Soni, chief commercial officer at Tripadvisor.
“Our
partners clearly see the potential of Tripadvisor Plus to help reduce the
burden of high online distribution costs. And with travel rebounding in the U.S.,
today’s news shows the momentum we are building with the program.”
Combined,
the three hotel groups add nearly 500 properties to Tripadvisor Plus.
Barceló
Hotel Group has more than 250 hotels in 22 countries marketed under the brands
of Barcelo, Royal Hideaway, Occidental and Allegro hotels. Millennium Hotels and
Resorts operates more than 145 hotels in 80 locations with brands including
Grand Millennium, M Social, Copthorne and Kingsgate. And Pestana Hotel Group is
a Portugal-based chain that owns and manages 100 properties across three
continents.
During
Phocuswright Europe in late June, Soni
spoke with Phocuswright’s Lorraine Sileo about Tripadvisor Plus and the
concept of subscription programs for travel.
Watch the full interview below.
Travel Subscriptions and the Price of Loyalty: Will They Work? - Phocuswright Europe Online 2021