Booking upscale? Get an agent

Hotel guests staying at upscale properties such as one of the Noble House Hotels and Resorts are more inclined to use travel agents, believes Liz Johnson, corporate director of leisure travel. “I think certain people will always want to deal with travel agents, and that’s more often the case with upscale markets,” she said. She thinks that is the case even at some Noble properties that have a lot of drive-in traffic. She does not know how many bookings of the dozen or so upscale Noble House properties come from travel agents, but thinks the amount is “substantial.” One reason is that the rooms are far from budget priced. The price tag for rooms can go as high as $800 a night. In addition, Ms Johnson said, the chain with a corporate office in Seattle, goes out of its way to work with agents. “They know we will take care of them. We offer a personalized service, and we work hand in hand with agents,” she said. In addition to the standard 10% commission, she said, the chain hands out thank-you notes to guests in the agent’s own name. For wholesalers, Noble House often gives out $100 gift certificates that can be turned over to clients to spend at a hotel gift shop or spa or restaurant. Noble House sales people also regularly call directly on agents, she added. The Noble House hotels cater to leisure travelers. About two thirds of their bookings are in that market, Ms Johnson said. Report by David Wilkening