OTA's - Online Travel Agencies such as Booking.com, Expedia, Trivago, VRBO, AirBnB, Hotels.com, HomeAway have inserted themselves in to the reservations equation to the point they can no longer be ignored. Rather than fight, or ignore them even smaller "Mom and Pop" businesses need to embrace them if they wish to stay in business.
These are disruptive technologies similar to the effect websites had on accommodation providers in the mid to late 1990's when print advertising quickly succumbed to digital marketing. Unlike print, however, digital marketing - both websites and social media - is still hugely relevant still accounting for the majority of reservations commission free. When used in conjunction with OTA's your website remains your brand and your social media is the most effective tool to manage the reputation of your brand.
This course will identify which OTA's are best suited for your particular property and how best to utilize them for best results for obtaining reservations with the least commissions.
Each OTA also has unique quirks to them. Understanding them will either make or loose you $.
For example understanding the differences between "Hotel Collect" and "Expedia Collect" and the accompanying implications for credit card processing, charge backs, cancellations, guest interactions and service is critical when choosing this option on Expedia.
Dieter Gerhard
northStudio | StikkyMedia | QCollege | QAcademy | BirdsofaFeather | MarineEcotours
T: 250-391-8889
T: 800-730-4790
E: dieter@birdsofafeather.ca
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