VTV Channel - A Vlog focusing on Hotel Merchandising Online » online travel shopper behavior

Navigating the New: Significant Surprise

VFM Leonardo — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 12:43:14 +0000

This series of episodes with Phillip Wolf, President and CEO of PhoCusWright, examines the forces that are transforming travel, tourism and hospitality that all travel companies must confront. In travel, the swirl of technological and economic chaos enveloping our space is unprecedented. In such an unusual environment, the probability of a significant surprise waiting around the corner increases… daily! Watch this episode to learn how to prepare for and capitalize on the surprises that lie ahead.

Improving Your Presence Online

VFM Leonardo — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 13:00:02 +0000

Consumers are looking for the right content for the trip they are planning and visit multiple sites before they actually commit to booking. This behavior is driving hoteliers to start delivering more relevant content on more online channels. In this episode with Felix Laboy, President and General Manager at Sabre Hospitality Solutions, you will learn tips on how to improve your online presence:

- Ensure website content and rich media is up-to-date and optimized
- Develop and implement a social media plan
- Track consumer behavior on your website

7 Steps to Successful Travel eBusiness – A Holistic Approach

VFM Leonardo — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:00:55 +0000

In the past, the focus of using the internet to plan travel used to be all about booking. Now, it has transitioned to a shop, look, book perspective, resulting in a much more sophisticated online travel experience. In this episode, Robert Cole the Founder of RockCheetah, explains his holistic approach to successful travel eBusiness and how to reach and engage guests at each of the seven stages in the travel planning process:

1. Inspiration
2. Research
3. Planning
4. Validation
5. Booking
6. Travel
7. Sharing

Increasing the Relevance of Your Hotel’s Content Using Personas

VFM Leonardo — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:00:26 +0000

In this episode, Robert Cole the Founder of RockCheetah explains that personas differ depending on the reason for the trip and what the traveler hopes to accomplish. For example, the points-junkie who always uses a certain channel to plan business trips may behave completely different when planning a family vacation or a golf weekend with friends. Watch this episode to learn how to increase the relevance of your online content to appeal to different personas.

- Ask why guests like staying at your hotel
- Don’t say “I’m everything to everybody”
- All content (text, still images, video) needs to be suited to personas
- Show how your hotel will make their stay a success

The Traveler’s Road to Decision

VFM Leonardo — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 13:00:24 +0000

When searching for accommodations online, the traveler’s road to decision often involves research and comparison on a number of travel websites and electronic channels. Some travel shoppers prefer to use third-party sites over brand.com or the hotel’s own website to find out the true story of the hotel. Jeff Higley, Vice President, Digital Media & Communications HotelNewsNow.com / Smith Travel Research shares his insights on how hoteliers can leverage their hotel’s presence on online travel sites by changing their mindsets and seeing these sites as friends, not foes.