GDS channel’s growth outpaces hotels’ direct bookings Hotels’ direct booking programs have an effect on revenue and occupancy, with a first quarter increase of 0.8% in bookings compared with the same period last year. However, the GDS channel increased by 1.3 % during the same period, a rate that is 60% greater. Source: Hotel Marketing GDS channel’s growth outpaces hotels’ direct bookings
Travel industry sees wave of interest in messaging chatbots Without the lambaste and fanfare often associated with new technological trends, chatbots have crept their way into social messaging applications and are being used by travel companies to engage with their customers. Source: Hotel Marketing Travel industry sees wave of interest in messaging chatbots
Summer brings surge in travel-related paid-search, TV campaigns Two separate reports reveal that advertising spend by some of the largest travel companies demonstrates the success that comes from cross-channel campaigns. Source: Hotel Marketing Summer brings surge in travel-related paid-search, TV campaigns
OpenTravel reveals next generation of open source messaging for consumer direct bookings OpenTravel’s 2.0 object model solution facilitates a seamless flow of information from internal development, to partnerships, and through industry verticals, promoting connectivity and ultimately profitability. Source: Hotel Marketing OpenTravel reveals next generation of open source messaging for consumer direct bookings