International hotel chains are using social networking sites, blogs, and twitter to market themselves as a cheaper alternative to traditional more expensive methods. Managing Director of Premier Inn, Darroch Crawford, said the use of hotel blogs is growing and so are the number of hotel bookings. Mr. Crawford said more than 50 per cent of hotel bookings are automated and in the GCC the number is 15 per cent and growing
Ernst & Young noted in its Top Ten Hospitality Thoughts report all type of hotels will be using the most up to date technology to “capture reservations through their own distribution channels.” The report explained hotels are starting to recognize the value of third party, web based distribution channels. Independent hotels have the best opportunity to gain online market share and “their performance will be the true test of the equalizing power of the web during this downturn.”
