EARLIER this year, came the launch of a new Google Maps feature which aggregates real-time hotel rates – courtesy of various booking sites such as Expedia.com and Hotels.com – and displays them alongside the hotel results. It’s possible to view average price and availability, plus customer reviews and location.
A spokesperson from Independent city centre hotels brand, Mint Hotel.com, said:
“Although there is a risk of losing out to some of the listed OTAs, this does not have a huge impact on the hotel itself. In fact, for Mint Hotel, customers will always receive a better deal when dealing with the hotel directly.”
The average price is situated next to a drop down menu within which users can access a list of various sites on which the particular hotel room can be booked, and at what price. The idea was initially introduced to online travel agencies such as Expedia, Travelocity, and Priceline, whose respective rates are now available in real-time alongside hotel results.
“The next step is the inclusion of various Central Reservation Systems (CRS), and the appeal to bigger hotel brands to include their own room rates within the feature. While the addition to hotel searches will be a real benefit for those looking to find the best deal for their stay, industry commentators have warned that hoteliers would be wise to embrace the new feature to avoid being out-manoeuvred by OTAs already offering rates.
“Currently, the majority of pricing options derive from OTAs, with official hotel sites listed below. However, the majority of the hotels themselves do not offer their own pricing, and run the risk of being overlooked by users. On the other hand, once rates are included direct from the hotel sites, this creates a further opportunity for those hotels to capture bookings which may have went through the OTAs previously. Award-winning hoteliers Mint Hotel.com are confident of the potential long term benefits of the listing.”
PRESS RELEASE issued by QueryClick. You too can post media releases (aka story ideas for journalists) on allmediascotland.com. For more information, email here.
Contact: Donald Stephenson
Phone: 0131 556 9442
Email: donald@queryclick.com
Website: http://www.minthotel.com
