how to manage your hotels online reputation

http://www.hotelmarketing.com/index.php/content/article/how_to_manage_your_hotels_online_reputation
Social media websites and blogs have rapidly become an important part of any effective Internet marketing strategy. Why? Simply because these websites are where people are talking about your hotel and your services and there is no better advertising media than “word of mouth”. As the hotelier or director of marketing, OUR  challenge is to know what the buzz is and adding OUR  own buzz. Clearly, the prospective hotel guests who visit these sites, and this number is growing daily, will definitely respond to consumer online chatter more than to a paid advertisement.

Not only do the majority of online shoppers visit more than one search engine before they book a hotel room, now they visit social media websites and blogs to see what is being said about the hotels where they are going. Recent market research tells us that more than 40% of all online travel shoppers will visit a social website or blog to read comments and reviews about the hotels at their destination before they make a reservation. It’s not only about brand perception anymore; it’s what a real guest experienced at a specific hotel and what they share online. In some cases their sharing includes pictures or even videos of the experience.
Online buzz is not always bad and social media should not be perceived as a negative, many people do go online to tell others about a great deal or a good experience during their business trip or vacation. The real challenge is how do we know what is being said about our  hotel, without spending hours every day surfing the world of User Generated Media. Then we  need to prioritize the online chatter and respond quickly to the most relevant comments
our  online reputation is important so it is important that we  manage it effectively. A quick response tells prospective guests that we are aware of any negative issues and that it is being or has been handled. A response also opens a direct communication with prospective consumers and this can be a major benefit. For those positive online comments, our  response will go a long way in showing prospective guests that their online buzz is appreciated and they will bring us  some repeat business. Plus a response to positive buzz will most likely generate even more.

Social Media ROI

Social media roi

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mobile marketing

Macy

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SIM influence

Open publication - Free publishing - More sim

how can hotel use klout scores to improves customers communication

The hotel could send to the influencers a widget table which looks like an Ipad tablet's screen

It may included free downloading services:

* A video library
* A e-book library
* Music library
* Nenwpapers


Ordering services, where guests will be able to :

* Book for their favorite restaurants
* Book for theater tickets
* Ask for specific services(favorite dishes, wake up time)
* Create their own journey package

hoteliers cautiously upbeat as rooms fill

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http://www.hotelmarketing.com/index.php/content/article/hoteliers_cautiously_upbeat_as_rooms_fill
As the world struggles to comprehend the biggest disaster to hit Japan since World War II, the impact on the country’s hospitality industry is only beginning to become apparent.

While the 9.0 magnitude earthquake and tsunami on March 11 caused thousands of deaths and extensive damage in Japan, initial statements from some of the biggest hospitality companies in the country would indicate that most hotels have escaped the disaster relatively unscathed with the exception of those in the city of Sendai where a number of properties have been closed. These include the ANA Holiday Inn Sendai and The Westin Sendai.

The following companies issued statements:

Prince Hotels, which has 48 hotels in Japan, reported that it had closed two of its properties – the Shizukuishi Prince Hotel and Shuizukuishi Ski Resort in Iwate Prefecture – and that some of its other properties would have changes in hours of operation. It reported no injuries or serious damage at any of its properties.

JAL Hotels, which has 25 hotels in the country under its NHI chain and 13 hotels under its Hotel JAL chain, reported that two of its hotels – the Hotel JAL City Hachinohe and the Hotel JAL City Sendai – were in a difficult situation with normal operation.

InterContinental Hotels Group, which has 37 hotels in Japan, said it had evacuated all 120 guests from its ANA Holiday Inn hotel in Sendai and had closed the hotel to new bookings and guests. All other IHG ANA hotels across Japan are fully operational, it said. IHG added that it had advised all hotels across the Tokyo metropolitan area and the northern part of Japan to follow government recommendations to minimise electricity usage, which could involve some suspension of normal services and operations for the duration of the power outage. Addressing the nuclear risk, IHG said it was keeping a close watch on the situation. Its closest property to the Fukushima Daiichi power plant, the ANA Holiday Inn Sendai, was deemed to be in a safe zone, it said.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts, which has 14 hotels in Japan, said that all guests and staff were accounted for at its Westin Sendai and that the property had suffered no structural damage. The hotel would be closed over the next few days due to lack of facilities, according to a Reuters report.

Marriott International, which has nine hotels in Japan including the Ritz-Carlton Tokyo and The Ritz-Carlton Osaka, stated it had no reports of harm to its guests or employees or of significant structural damage at any of its properties.

Accor, which also has nine hotels in Japan, said all its hotels remained operational and its buildings had received only minor damage. It said it had closed its three hotels in the Greater Tokyo area to new reservations since Friday, and anticipated it would start accepting new reservations from March 16. One of the three hotels – the Mercure Hotel Narita – had been impacted by the national rolling power blackhouts for a few hours each day, it said.

Hyatt Hotels, which has eight properties in Japan, reported that all of its hotels were operational and that there were no injuries to guests or staff.

Japan Leisure Hotels, which has six properties in the country, reported some damage to its Sendai property although stressed it had been left intact. The hotel has been shut down and is expected to remain closed for at least a month.

The Peninsula Tokyo reported that it was functioning as normal and it did not anticipate being impacted by the government-mandated blackouts. The hotel said it had, however, closed three F&B outlets – Peter Restaurant, The Peninsula Café and The Peninsula Boutique & Café at Naka Dori – to conserve energy.

mercure launches new website

Mercure Hotels are a brand of hotels run by French multinational corporation Accor.
The Mercure hotels are positioned between Ibis and Novotel in the Accor estate. Currently,[when?] about 750 hotels include the three to four-star to Mercure
Paul Dubrule and Gerard Pelisson founded Mercure in 1967. The first Mercure hotel was established in 1973 in Saint-Witz, France. Mercure Novotel was taken over in 1975 by Société d'Investissement et d'Exploitation, later the Accor Group.
In 1983, Mercure expanded into Germany. In 1993, Accor acquired a stake in the Hungarian Pannonia hotel chain with 24 hotels. The group also expanded into Poland, Asia, Turkey, and Africa. In 1994, hotels opened in the Caribbean, Guyana and Réunion. In 1995, Mercure established themselves in Spain, Sweden, Egypt, Oman, and Dubai, and opened a hotel in São Paulo, Brazil. In 1996, hotels opened in Berlin, Barcelona, Offenburg, Weimar, San Sebastián, Bari, Israel, Croatia, and Malta. In 1997, Estonia, Togo, Madagascar, Colombia, Egypt, Morocco, and Lebanon. In France, Accor acquired 33 Frantour hotels and rebranded them. The group also expanded the brand into the United Kingdom. In 1998, the Dutch hotel chain Postiljon is acquired with ten hotels.
In 1999, 148 hotels were integrated into the network, including 42 Libertel hotels, 27 hotels in Germany and 27 in Australia. New hotels were opened in Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen.
Recently they decided to update their website according to the new Hotel Online Marketing News for Asian Hospitality Industry, Hotel Marketing, professionals
Mercure, Accor’s brand for midscale hotels, launched a a totally revamped website with more images and content. The website also focuses on the teams at Mercure, whose commitment to delivering excellent hospitality is one of the brand’s distinctive features.

the hotel amenities war

http://www.hotelmarketing.com/index.php/content/article/the_hotel_amenities_war
Hoteliers know the fact that if they want their customers to choose them over the competitors they have to provide something extra to the guests. Most important one is by offering the quality and right hotel amenities to the guests at suitable rates. If you want your hotel to succeed than it should keep itself ahead in the current trends which will ensure better occupancy rates.
Guests' expectations of such supplies are affected by the type of hotel and its sophistication level. Hangers, ice boxes, absorbent towels, exquisite bed linens, wooden luggage racks, etc these are basic hotel supplies for mid level hotels. The main aim for providing such extra luxury items is to increase the occupancy rates of the hotel rooms. As the level of the hotel goes up, so does the quality and number of hotel supplies and amenities.
Guests give rating's for the hotel supplies and guest complementariness they utilize based on there quality and there convenience. When an hotelier is in the process of deciding which hotel amenities they would provide, a number of factors would influence the decision like- the budget, expectations of their guests, type of guests they receive, etc. The value and importance of hotel supplies cannot be overlooked as they have direct Affect on the occupancy rates.
Branded bathroom amenity products proved to be a popular item for all hotels. Eighty five percent of all hotels indicated they provide branded amenity products in bathrooms.
the favorite upscale chain hotel, in terms of the supplied bathroom products, is The Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. Why? Several Four Seasons hotels and resorts offer L'Occitane products in their bathrooms. Really know how to please their luxury travel guests.
Hotels are trying to be different and unique comparing to competitors by creating always a add value to their services and now the trend is to use the branded bathroom product witch is really having a positive impact on guests choice and favorites

hotel digital check out

Google checkout payment system

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