HOW TO USE THE WEB TRAVELLERS TO CHOOSE A HOTEL FACILITY

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/

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HOW AMERICANS AND EUROPEANS DO THEY CHOOSE THEIR TRAVEL DESTINATION?

The traveler has the freedom to choose his destination, that is to say, without the incentive to visit relatives or friends, attending a special event like a wedding or to go to a second home, is the ideal target for organizations of destination management (BMD). In 2011, 78% of German travelers and 58% of American tourists and their chosen destination. What is the decision process of these coveted clients? What are the sources of influence in their choice? How can we maximize the chance of being popular destinations? The firm PhoCusWright has addressed the issue and unveiled the results of surveys conducted among top four international markets of Quebec, the United States, France, the United Kingdom and Germany.

Respondents to the online survey were to have made ​​at least one leisure trip including a night in a hotel or travel by plane, train or in the case of European respondents.

TRAVEL FREELY CHOOSE
The incidence of leisure travel, the destination was chosen independently increased in 2011, particularly among Europeans. German travelers topped 78% of them have done this type of trip in 2011 American travelers are the least likely among the markets studied, choose their destination in this way, with an incidence of 58%. Americans are more likely than Europeans to select a location in order to visit friends or family. But stays freely chosen without constraints, are still the largest share of travel for the four markets.

PROFILE OF INDEPENDENT TRAVELERS
Because they choose their travel destination and that choice is not directed by family or friends, independent travelers, let's call them, represent a market that reacts to marketing strategies and promotional efforts of DMO. In addition, these potential visitors traveling more often than average, spend more and are more likely to leave their country.

SOURCES OF INFLUENCE IN THE CHOICE OF DESTINATION
The factors influencing the choice of destination in the case of independent travelers vary from market to market. Surveyed on their last trip freely chosen in 2011, respondents in four markets reported in large numbers factor "personal interest in visiting the destination" as an influence in their choice. The climate, the price of accommodation and previous experience are criteria they evoke too.

Four markets, it is the Americans who are most likely to choose a destination based on past experience (destination already visited), with an incidence of 35%. The French instead opt for new destinations, with only 20% returned to the same place. German and British travelers are influenced by hotel establishments in the respective proportions of 27% and 24%. Americans see more than other travelers available activities (23%) and special events (14%).

SELECTION PROCESS OF DESTINATION
The majority of respondents in the four markets already considered a precise destination before planning their last trip chosen independently. In fact, the desire to see the destination justifies traveling, especially in the case of British (64%) and Germans (56%). The second most common approach is to select a destination among those being considered. The proportion of Americans who did so more than doubled in 2011 compared to 2010, while it declined in the case of travelers who had one destination in mind.

BMD wishing seduce travelers as they began the planning process must be very persuasive in a favorable position, unless they are already part of destinations being considered by travelers. Indeed, during their last stay independently selected, less than 10% of respondents across all markets, considered new options once they have begun the planning process. However, the same proportion began planning travel without a specific destination in mind. In addition, approximately 8% of French travelers had not planned trip, but took advantage of a promotion; this proportion is less than 5% for other markets.

However, the likelihood that an organization of destination management influences a traveler in planning stage increases substantially if the destination is already part of they wish to be one day. The study argues here that the most effective approach to increase the number of visitors should be developed in the long term to create, over time, the desire to visit the area or country.

INTERNET ALWAYS A LITTLE MORE!
Internet, even more than last year, plays a major every step of the planning process role. Depending on the market, at least 74% of travelers surveyed have visited at least one Web site when selecting the destination. When it comes time to compare offers, this proportion rises to 86%. Online bookings are made ​​by at least 73% of them and 83% of British travelers. Sharing experiences and travel reviews on the web is growing, especially among German travelers, who are 60% ​​having done so in 2011.

The tools on the Web, especially interactive maps, reviews of sites online agency, professional images and virtual tours, shared by travelers photos as well as the advice of professionals trips available online exercise influence much of the potential visitors.

Source : http://veilletourisme.ca/2012/03/19/comment-les-americains-et-les-europeens-choisissent-ils-leur-destination-de-voyage/

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WHAT ATTRACTS TRAVEL wealthy Americans?

Lors de leurs voyages d’agrément, les Américains de la classe aisée tiennent avant tout à être accompagnés de leurs proches, recherchent des destinations «nature» et priorisent les activités d’apprentissage.

Au cours des Assises du tourisme organisées par le ministère du Tourisme du Québec le 13 mai dernier, Chris Fair de la firme Resonance a présenté les résultats du sondage mené à la fin de 2012, auprès de plus de 1200 Américains ayant des revenus de 150 000$ ou plus par année. Cette classe aisée de la population, qui appartient aux 9% des ménages les plus fortunés du pays, a été interrogée sur ses habitudes en matière de voyages d’agrément.

LES VACANCES, UNE PRIORITÉ POUR LES AMÉRICAINS LES PLUS NANTIS
Pour les Américains aisés, les vacances sont synonymes de luxe. Près de la moitié des répondants y associent les éléments suivants:

Posséder une maison de vacances à la montagne ou au bord de la mer (48%);
Faire un voyage exotique (46%);
Prendre un congé prolongé (45%).
Le top 5 est complété par la possession d’un téléphone intelligent (50%) et la liberté de travailler de chez soi (47%). Ainsi, pour ce segment de la population, le luxe n’est pas seulement lié à des produits, mais il est aussi symbolisé par des expériences liées aux voyages et au temps libre.

TRAVEL LIKE WHAT THEY?
Wealthy American travelers place more emphasis on accompanying persons traveling rather than planned activities to
Wealthy American travelers place more emphasis on accompanying persons traveling rather than planned destination activities. At their next vacation, they plan to go mostly with their families (57%), friends (35%) or couples (29%). For comparison, the same survey conducted in 2008 revealed that only 43% of respondents felt family travel, and 19% with their spouse. Moreover, these travelers are likely to want to escape abroad or make a road trip.

THEIR BEHAVIOUR OF RESERVATION
Internet booking channel most used by wealthy American travelers. Nearly 60% of them complete their transactions with a travel agent online or on the provider's website. However, some disparity between age groups is observed, since respondents aged under 55 were more likely to use the services of a travel agency online (65% compared to 48% for people aged over 55 years), while older prefer to book directly with the hotel or by the airline (55% compared to 48%). Other methods chosen are, in order of importance, the phone call to book with the provider, the travel agency and tour operator.

ACCOMMODATION CHOOSE WHAT THEY?
Luxury hotels and resorts (resorts) dominate the preferences of affluent Americans in accommodations. Major hotel chains are very popular, with 60% of these travelers have stayed at a Marriott hotel group; 57% chose Hilton, Hyatt monitoring (44%) and Westin (31%).

  The all inclusive packages offered in the resorts no longer attract that 13% of respondents, compared to 22% in 2008.
The all inclusive packages offered in the resorts no longer attract that 13% of respondents, compared to 22% in 2008 cruises are more popular (9%) than rental properties (8%) and inns and B Breakfast (6%). In addition, nearly one in five Americans had easy a vacation home in 2012; only 8% were owners of a condominium.

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TRAVEL FORM THE YOUTH

Why young people are undertaking they travel and what do they take? As they leave to see the world, work or study, have fun and meet people, young travelers come back with much more than achieving their original objectives. Their journeys open their new horizons, develop their confidence in them and, most importantly, towards to show more tolerance and trust cultures and different peoples of their own.

There are no set guidelines for the youth market: everyone has different age groups. It is also increasingly difficult to link the concept of "youth" at specific ages since on the one hand, young people are traveling more and earlier and, on the other hand, they study longer, marry later and remain "young" longer. The most inclusive age group is that of people aged 16-35 years. 

This analysis presents the motivations and benefits regarding youth travel from a study by the World Tourism Organization, which itself takes surveys conducted by World Youth Student & Educational (WYSE) Travel Confederation. Questionnaires were sent to customers of some 550 member companies of this group. The latter are interested in youth tourism; they offer exchange programs, hosting youth, Student Flights, travel insurance, student cards and language programs. Members of WYSE Travel Confederation provide services to more than 10 million youth and students each year. The sample of respondents therefore has a higher proportion of individuals participating in an exchange program, study or work abroad for all young people who travel.

source : http://veilletourisme.ca/2008/09/30/les-voyages-forment-la-jeunesse/

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