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LOCAL Friday 2 OctOber 2020

Expedia Group:
How a new world’s view is changing traveler’s booking considerations

Continued from Page 8 discounts for longer bookings, as an important first step in building a journey to book. The photo score
travelers are looking for extend- positive online reputation. in Expedia Group Partner Cen-
● Solo travel is on the rise in ed stays to get away from home. The most influential and impact- tral helps hoteliers quickly identify
France. The desire to travel alone Adding an experience to a book- ful reviews rated by the respon- which photos are missing and ways
has skyrocketed in France (25%) ing – from in-room breakfast with dents were about “room cleanli- to highlight all the unique features
compared with the average in- mimosas, free parking or a spa dis- ness” and “overall condition of of your rooms.
crease globally (12%). count – can also go far. the hotel.” Aligned with the focus However, pictures are less impor-
Reputation and cleanliness are the on cleanliness in reviews, a recent tant if a hotel is only targeting baby
Do more to make your property key Expedia Group and BVA BDRC boomers, as one-third of them will
stand out Nearly three-quarters of travel- study showed that more than 50% look at five or fewer photos.
Cost remains the biggest consid- ers read reviews before booking of travelers now expect hand sani-
eration point for booking a hotel, a property. Reviews make an im- tizer to be available throughout Contact with travelers
a consistency seen across many pact, especially to the heavily the hotel, with half also expecting According to the study, most trav-
Expedia Group studies throughout socially-influenced millennials and more enhanced cleaning regimes, elers (70%) want to receive infor-
the last several years. Finding the Gen Z, who showed slightly higher and hotel brand cleanliness stan- mation regarding amenities prior
right rate was the top selection for consideration for a property based dards. To inform potential guests to check-in. Hoteliers can use our
all generations when considering on reviews. Baby boomers were about their safety matters, hoteliers messages tool to send out commu-
a booking (40%), followed by the the least likely to read reviews, with can now add their health and hy- nication in advance of arrival let-
property’s location. one-third skipping this step entirely. giene policies to listing on Expedia ting guests know of any new prac-
More than eight out of ten travel- In addition, 80% of travelers believe Group sites. tices or changes to amenities that
ers said hotels in similar price rang- that, if the hotels don’t respond may impact their stay, reducing
es look the same online and that to negative property reviews, this Image and online presence the risk of mis-matched expecta-
they must do more to stand out. review must be truthful, thereby Now more than ever, travelers are tions. Nearly 60% of travelers across
This crossed generational lines – damaging their consideration. dreaming of their next trip. Nearly all generations are willing to share
showing that overall, hotels are not If reviewing and responding to re- half of travelers look at 10 or more their arrival time, along with any
doing enough to make their prop- views sounds labor-intensive, Expe- photos of a property, however one- special needs, in advance in order
erties unique and differentiated. dia Group has designed tools that fifth of millennials and Gen Z look- to improve their stay.
Hotel properties can differentiate make it easy to monitor, managing ing at 15-plus photos. Hotels should To hear the full results of this re-
themselves from their competitive and maximizing a property’s online do their best to visually represent search, please register to attend a
sets today by offering flexible can- reputation. The post-stay review their property benefits, helping en- free webinar taking place on Thurs-
cellation polices as well as incen- tools help hoteliers engage with courage guests in the dreaming day, October 8 at 10 am PDT / 1
tives for early bookings, including guests before and during their stay, or research phase of their travel pm EDT.q