Change and More Change…

The hospitality industry has been changed and will continue to change in dramatic fashion as Internet Marketing continues to mature. No longer is the question “Should I market on the Internet, but rather what is the most effective way to market and utilize the Internet”.

Statistics clearly show that at every level of the hospitality industry (From Large chains to Boutique Hotels to Independents) have been affected and will continue to be directly affected by the impact of the Internet.

Consider the following statistics:

• The percentage of Internet-based hotel reservations is expected to triple to 15.4 percent by 2004 from the current ..4.9 percent, according to Andersen LLP, and total volume is expected to reach $5.7 billion in 2004, according to ..Forrester Research.
• According to Nielsen / NetRatings over 37 million out of 162 million active Americans Internet users have already ..purchased travel online.
• Three years from now the Internet will contribute 20% of revenues in hospitality (PhoCusWright) and online bookings ..will surpass GDS bookings.
• Travel is the largest and fastest-growing e-commerce category on the Internet today. Consumers are confident about ..booking and purchasing travel online and more of them are doing it every year. According to Media Metrix, the online ..travel sector is expected to grow from $18 billion in 2000 to $63 billion in 2006.

The Internet affects Marketing, Reservations, Customer Loyalty, Brand Recognition and touches many other business aspects of competitively managing a hotel’s operation.

A major problem for Hotel Managers, especially in smaller organization, is being able to stay on top of the best practices, sort out what is truly needed from what a vendor is trying to sell them and where can they maximize their time, effort and budget.

Arant Marketing focuses on driving occupancy and increasing Average Daily Rate by showing hotels how to utilize both a Direct and Indirect approach to online distribution.

Arant Marketing Solutions provides a variety of services that will allow the managers and owners of hotels, casinos, resorts and any other hospitality oriented business to not only build a “World Class” Internet Marketing strategy but to integrate it fully with all Marketing efforts. Arant Marketing will assist in determining how best to utilize your budget and to assure that you get the most out of every dollar invested.

Arant Marketing will give you direction and Industry Best Practices in all of the following areas:

1. Consultation on including proven, cost effective Internet Marketing tactics in your overall Marketing Strategy.
2. Website Design/ Redesign & Optimization.
3. Search Engine Optimization.
4. Consultation on building strong linking relationships.
5. Email Marketing Campaigns – Email CRM programs.
6. Developing and managing Pay-per-Click Campaigns and other Advertising Vehicles.
7. Designing Analysis and Tracking systems so that clear and accurate ongoing decisions can be made.

Contact an Arant Marketing Solutions representative to discuss how a customized service plan can be created for your organization.