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Hoteliers put out welcome mat for social media
Hoteliers, B&B owners and innkeepers are embracing online engagement with consumers to attract travelers this year, according to a TripAdvisor survey.
More than half, of 57 percent expect their social media marketing budgets to increase this year over last.
Other trends cited by hospitality providers in TripAdvisor’s first survey of 1000 accommodation people:
• Almost one-third of survey respondents plan to launch programs, for the first time in 2011, to engage with travelers using mobile devices.
• Another 27 percent indicated that they had offered such programs last year and will continue to do so this year.
• 46 percent have no plans to offer programs to engage travelers using mobile devices in 2011.
Other more traditional plans for owners to attract guests include:
• Discounts on rooms – 61 percent.
• Special amenities – 36 percent.
• Rewards points – 29 percent.
• Deals on nearby attractions – 23 percent.
• Free night’s stay with booking – 16 percent.
“TripAdvisor’s first annual Accommodation Owners Survey suggests that the hotel industry is still being affected by a slow economy, as the majority of respondents don’t foresee room rate increases this year,” said Christine Petersen, president of TripAdvisor for Business. “Yet, savvy hoteliers are attempting to stand apart from the crowd by embracing social media, launching mobile marketing features and offering the programs consumers demand most.”
By David Wilkening
David
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