By Gofrowin
Posted at 1:01 PM
hotel
We tend to eclipse, but the quality of your stay also depends on that of your accommodation. Hotels, hostels, guest houses, lodges ... it is not easy to navigate. So how to choose well for the quality of your stay being affected? Team PartirDemain concocted a selection of tips to help you make your choice, whatever your destination. You will have all the keys to PartirDemain.
A crucial point: the hotel location
Downtown or suburbs?
If you are looking for a cheap hotel, you will find hundreds on the Internet. Yet a priori attractive prices may soon rise. The cheapest hotels are always located far from the center, often to the periphery. In this case, you will burden the freight bill you will have to pay to go to the center. We must also take into account the time necessary for the journey to and back! Evaluate well total cost, you might be surprised: a hotel downtown may never return no more expensive and you will save time otherwise wasted in transport.
Depending on the number of people taking part in the trip, a hotel downtown may even be more advantageous. Indeed, a double room is cheaper than two singles, and one pays for two people at a time while in transport, tickets to purchase is individual.
Also remember to check availability of vehicles in the vicinity of hotels and suburban periphery. You probably would not end up in a remote part of the periphery, without a bus on the horizon, the closest one kilometer of your foot to ground subway line. Then remain to estimate, even approximately, the average cost of the move. It will of course deal with your requirements or preferences: a taxi is much faster and more efficient than a bus, but it will cost a larger sum. There is no truth in the field, as the rates vary between cities, institutions and even transportation when the price of fuel fluctuates. Without spending your nights, still think twice about choosing your accommodation, because it is he who affects your well-being.
Locate the hotel
To locate your hotel, the online tool Google Maps is the best solution. Available in some cities, street view (integrated with Google Maps), you can stroll you "as if you were there" around the hotel. You can see the points of interest nearby: public transport, shops, ATMs or restaurants located nearby.
Be cautious vis-à-vis the floor price: for example, if you search online for hotels in New York, you will come across some really attractive prices. Yet look closer: the hotels are offered in New Jersey! Conclusive, this example invites you to start over twice before booking your eyes closed.
Opinions in support
For an interesting perspective, nothing beats the opinions of others, who will guide you effectively. Reviews are not always very objective, but is not that the interest to give expression to customers? This will give you a good overview of the actual situation, although some comments are sometimes taken lightly. The whole becomes more interesting when notices are mailed and that they agree more or less: you can then get a true idea of the establishment.
The hotel and its surroundings
No matter where you go, check the conditions in the area around the hotel, especially if you plan to retire to your room late at night. So instead of you walking, prefer a shuttle or transit, if any in the vicinity. If applicable, two questions must come to mind: What is the frequency of passage (a summary sheet schedules should be stopped in question) of the shuttle and at what price sell tickets?
The "pick & drop"
Some hotels offer a service called "pick & drop". The term "pickup" refers to the transport from the airport or train station to the hotel, while the term "drop" simply means the opposite direction. Distant hotels of the stopping points have frequently such services free to boot. Some hotels offer transportation to check out, that is to say, out of the hotel for a nest egg.
Anyway, even if the facility is not near airports and other stations, choose a place that is close to area you plan to attend, rather than be in light years of attractions that tempt you.
source : http://www.partirdemain.com/guide-hotels.htm
By Gofrowin
Posted at 4:29 AM
travel
The search for a hotel is very differently for tourists and business tourists and leisure travelers. The sources of information that the traveler consults vary depending on the stage at which it is rendered in the planning process. A recent study by Cornell University helps to understand how travelers seeking information about a hotel as well as the influence of social media and review sites in this process.
The year 2010 was that of the consecration of social media, as evidenced by the appointment of Mark Zuckerberg as Person of the Year by Time Magazine. His company, Facebook has surpassed Google as the number of unique visitors per month. Meanwhile, the hotel industry continues to question the effects of social media, both on how consumers use them as ways to interact with customers. Most nevertheless agree on the fact that one has to "listen" carefully to what's being said, to adapt its offer and meet the consumers.
The report from Cornell University reported on discussions from a summit in October 2010 and the results of a survey of 2,830 American travelers leisure and business who have recently stayed at a hotel. Here are some highlights.
TOURISTS IN REGISTRATION USING MORE TRAVEL INFORMATION SOURCES THAN IN BUSINESS TRAVEL
Business travelers most often choose the recommended setting (or sometimes forced) by their company (40%), although many are exploring other opportunities with the search engines (see Chart 1). The leisure tourists consult a wider range of sources when it comes to choosing a hosting facility. Recommendations from relatives or friends come first, especially for women. The leisure tourists outnumber business tourists to use search engines, travel sites and those for the comparison of travel products (p. Ex. Expedia, Priceline and Kayak).
Among the sources of online information, sites publishing consumer reviews (TripAdvisor) seem almost as used as those with professional comments as AAA. Both types of source also revealed the most popular, ahead Facebook, Forbes, blogs and YouTube.
PLUS ADVANCE BOOKING PROCESS, PLUS THE RANGE OF SOURCES CONSULTED IS RESTRICTED
The survey confirms the assumption that consumers would explore many sources of information early in the process and then would focus on only a few to make their choice and to book (see Chart 2). Search engines that dominate early in the process, are less popular while shopping progresses. At a later stage, the sites of hotel suppliers and online travel agencies seem popular. Note that the reviews and meta-search engines like Kayak are also consulted in proper proportion.
When the time comes to make a decision, travelers eliminate many sources of information, which are then used by a small group. Supplier sites and those of travel agents online are still the most popular because they allow you to make the reservation.
THE INFLUENCE OF COMMENTS ONLINE REAL WELL, BUT IT IS NOT RELATED TYPES OF HOTELS
To explore the influence of consumer reviews on booking a hotel, the researchers asked respondents about their propensity to choose an institution with positive or negative opinion. They used the classification scale of Smith Travel Research (STR) to distinguish types of hotels. Regardless of the classification of the property, respondents take away from those who received negative feedback and encourage those who are positively evaluated.
In addition, the adage stating that a dissatisfied customer will share his opinion fully, unlike the customer satisfied, was not confirmed by this investigation. Consumers are so eager to write negative reviews than positive about their experience. There are also no significant differences by hotel frequented kind.
The Cornell study also reports the suggestions of Mr. Anil Aggarwal, president of Milestone Travel, to help hoteliers better integrate social media.
Facebook: Hoteliers should make their reservation system on their Facebook page. The reservation system used is usually well integrated into the site of a facility, which ensures that the consumer leaves the site. The same logic should be applied to social media. In addition, quizzes, contests and other interactive applications attract attention.
YouTube: Add YouTube hosted on the site of the facility videos. Not only is the site more engaging, but SEO is increased by the search engines. Mr. Aggarwal suggests creating videos from the most common features that consumers want.
Twitter: Create a network of current and prospective customers and maintain a daily two-way communication.
And above all, these efforts must be integrated! Social media is an opportunity to analyze market trends through this huge group discussion and improve customer service at a low cost. However, it is important to maintain control over the use of social media by employees. Improper publication can wreak havoc.
The power of social media is not a surprise for the tourism industry, which is in constant interaction with various online media, including review sites. That said, they are constantly changing as the patterns of use by hotel guests. Managers can take nothing for granted and need to be constantly informed!
source : http://veilletourisme.ca/2011/05/04/comment-les-voyageurs-utilisent-le-web-pour-choisir-un-etablissement-hotelier/
By Gofrowin
Posted at 5:48 AM
tourism
That's it? Everything you've heard about social networking has finally convinced you and you're ready to embark on the adventure? Good idea. But still need to know how to do it and most importantly, what to say. Hoteliers and restaurateurs here are some tips and examples to guide your communications on these networks and expand your virtual community.
At the last meeting of the National Restaurants Association, the adoption of social networks has been considered one of the top ten current trends. According to Damian Mogavero, president of the consulting firm New York Avero all use social media in the future, but it will be in how to integrate them into the culture of the company, some will differ.
some tips
While social networks are proving to be appropriate tools to test new promotions or original ideas, it is not their primary mission. In fact, social networks provide an opportunity to bring something useful to your customers. Most of your communications should have this idea in the background.
Also, play on your strengths. Do not pretend to be what you are not. Your hotel is not the fanciest, but it is really well located? Bid on this asset.
Here are some tips for using social media by a restaurant or a hotel.
Encourage testing new menu. Offer your Facebook fans of electronic coupons for free trials.
Encourage your customers to review the new menu items.
Turn your employees into ambassadors connected.
Maintain a dialogue with your customers and potential customers. Rick_Bayless Follow on Twitter, a renowned chef from Chicago, this will give you a good example.
Keep your virtual community informed on various projects or new (new facility, renovated rooms, etc.). So you create the expectation around an event.
Increase your traffic by creating unique competition, distribution of freebies and RT (Retweet) positive feedback.
Communicate regularly and at peak of your readers.
Be visual! Share pictures of your mouthwatering dishes, videos of what happens in the kitchen, images of special events. In fact, images other than those on your website.
The messages of "buy this or that" are not effective. Social media tend to focus on interactivity and there must be room for criticism. Express yourself on topics of interest to your community (eg, travel advice, shows to see, etc.). Les Chalets d'Emilia (ChaletsdEmelie) and the Opus Hotel (OpusMontreal) do it very well.
Learn from the experts. Follow hoteliers, restaurateurs or experts in your field to see how they build a community.
If you talk to people who are interested in your business, there are chances that they work in this industry. This is a good channel for post positions and recruit.
In addition, a presence on social networks increases your SEO Web since Bing (and soon Google) lists the contents of the Twitter and Facebook pages. The image below shows the Twitter account of the Auberge du Littoral near Quebec appears in the first page of results.
La Joie de Vivre hotel chain uses different channels of communication with Mobile Mondays, Twitter Tuesdays and Facebook Fridays. Special promotions are offered on these channels for days and specific institutions. On Mondays, we offer discounts to restaurants and spa, on Tuesdays and Fridays, discounts on rooms. To be informed, you have to subscribe to their text messaging, follow them on Twitter and be one of their Facebook fans.
The success of pop-up restaurants is largely based on social media and its ability to reach customers directly and in real time. For example, the Kogi truck (kogibbq) moves his Mexican-Korean specialties throughout Los Angeles. It was through Twitter that nearly 50,000 fans know where to find them.
L'Anima, a London restaurant, provides a good example of crowdsourcing (see also: Crowdsourcing, an emerging phenomenon), having used the Internet to develop its wine. The restaurant had already organized a tasting with six sommeliers recognized, but they do not agree on the best choice. It was then that customer would come in and voted for their favorite wines, presented in videos by experts. In addition, a competition was attached to the event for individuals who spoke about the experience on Twitter.
Social media is a good channel to promote customer loyalty and chain. Starwood uses precisely for its loyalty program Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG). The company has developed a suite of applications for Twitter, Facebook and iPhone to communicate, share information, photos, etc.
Uses can be diverse, but it is important to keep in mind the notion of utility for the customer.
The success of your social media use, that is to say the creation of an active community around your business, take time and a strong commitment on your part. In addition, the results will not necessarily feel overnight. But for a reasonable cost, the benefits of a good presence on social networks can be amazing!
source : http://veilletourisme.ca/2010/02/02/hotels-et-restaurants-2-0-conseils-pratiques-pour-tirer-profit-des-reseaux-sociaux/
By Gofrowin
Posted at 5:13 PM
tourism
Customers no longer simply choose a hotel for free breakfast or parking, or for the size of the room, but also for the internet, they want free, fast and functional. More and more institutions are trying to meet this demand, but it is a real challenge!
PRACTICES UNDER DIFFERENT HOTELS
64% of the establishments owned hotel chains offer a free Wi-Fi between March 2012 and April 2013
According to the 2013 report of HotelChatter Web magazine, 64% of establishments belonging to hotel chains offer a free Wi-Fi between March 2012 and April 2013, at least in the main hall. The magazine has made an infographic showing big banners where wireless Internet is free and those with fees varying between 10 and 15 dollars are charged to the customer.
Generally, budget hotels and mid-range are more likely to offer free Wi-Fi. This decision is rooted in their differentiation strategies and price that are to be included in the room rate services such as breakfast, phone calls or Wi-Fi. Conversely, institutions luxury and upscale adopt the principle of "everything is available at a cost." According to the American Hotel & Lodging Association, over 75% of them were charging a fee for Wi-Fi in the rooms in 2012, compared to 23% for all hotels in the United States (see also: Hotels did they follow the techno wave?).
WI-FI: FREE SERVICE AND FUNCTIONAL REQUIRED!
Wi-Fi has become one of the main criteria for choosing a hotel for travelers
Internet access in hotels is often a source of dissatisfaction for the customer who complains about the cost, insufficient flow or difficulty connecting. The polls also confirm that the Wi-Fi has become one of the main criteria for choosing a hotel for travelers.
According to an American survey carried out in 2012 Hotels.com, a free wireless network for the potential customer is the most important service when it comes to selecting a business (38% of respondents), followed by grandson lunch (25%) and parking (18%) free. A survey conducted in 2013 by InterContinental Hotels Group adds, revealing that 43% of travelers refuse to stay in a hotel that does not offer free internet access.
However, it is not sufficient for the establishment to offer this service for free to make the customer happy. According Satisfaction Index 2013 North American Hotel Guest, directed by JD Power and Associates, Internet connectivity and speed were the cause of discontent 31% of those who had experienced a problem during their stay.
PROVIDE FREE WI-FI, YES BUT ITS LIMITED ACCESS
Between offering the Wi-Fi and get paid at all, there are some intermediate solutions
Between offering the Wi-Fi and get paid at all, there are some intermediate solutions. Several chains have chosen to give free access only to members of their loyalty program, and that, upon accession, as is the case of Omni Hotels, Fairmont and InterContinental Hotels Group soon. Some institutions also offer this service to customers who book directly with them; This innovative practice is an incentive that can enable them to reduce their dependence on travel agents online.
Some offer free access for a limited period throughout the property, while others limit it to certain areas, such as the main lobby or business center. This year, it has become a standard for the Marriott chain, which offers Wi-Fi in the lobby of its 500 hotels, for guests and visitors alike.
SOME TECHNICAL ELEMENTS TO IMPROVE SERVICE
Bandwidth, which is shared by all users connected to the network, allows the transfer of data. More customers are many online more data download is slow, hence the need for institutions to increase the flow to provide better service. Thus, some welcoming multiple conference hotels are choosing to increase their bandwidth as customers are likely to connect to the network. Conversely, a family hotel with a few rooms to satisfy a reduced rate.
Finally, the trend of multi-screen, the consumer logs from multiple media (laptop, tablet, mobile phone, etc.), press the hotel to improve its network and increase the number of access points. Indeed, tablets and mobile phones pick up the Wi-Fi signal in a much narrower range than a laptop.
IMPROVING SERVICE TO JUSTIFY THE COSTS
In general, in a hotel that offers free Wi-Fi, the bandwidth in a room is 1 Mbit / s, which allows customers to check e-mail and surf on websites and social networks. Where charges are applied to Internet use, the rate may increase from 2 to 5 Mbit / s, making possible downloads of pictures, videos and music, as well as discussions on Skype.
During a webinar hosted by Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals, Shawn Tsetsilas, Cellular Specialties, suggested hoteliers to reduce the cost of access Wi-Fi at an amount between one and five American dollars, but to charge the customer depending on the amount of data transferred. This UBB however implies better quality of service, the customer is more willing to pay for a functional network. Conversely, the hotel should be aware that a free service of poor quality can be more damaging than if you had to pay.
The digital experience is gradually becoming an integral part of the journey, and at the time of the transformation of public space in the wireless access area (hotspot), Wi-Fi has become the norm. Hoteliers are they all able to follow this trend?
source ; http://veilletourisme.ca/2013/11/11/le-wi-fi-une-preoccupation-pour-tous-les-hoteliers/
