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Top Influencing Factors in Selecting a Hotel Online |
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Satisfaction With Quantity of Hotel Visuals Online TORONTO, CANADA � November 14, 2005 � According to a recent survey of 2,931 online U.S. adults ages 18 and over, nearly three in four (73%) who stay in hotels when they travel say they start their stay by researching hotel accommodations online. When asked to consider what factors other than price and location are important in selecting one hotel over another, online travelers cite the hotel�s written description (71%) and visuals (69%) as the top two most important factors, according to the survey commissioned by VFM Interactive and conducted by Harris Interactive®. By comparison, other factors demonstrated a marked difference in importance, including: information about the destination (62%); property star ratings (60%); the brand of hotel (53%); customer reviews and testimonials (44%); and loyalty program (31%). Visuals Cited as �Very Important� Most Often
The relative importance of visuals in selecting hotels online is especially noteworthy as it suggests that the expectations of online travelers for hotel visuals are not being met due to low satisfaction ratings with nearly two out of three (59%) online travelers saying they are �somewhat satisfied� or �not at all satisfied�vi with the quantity of visuals online. This leaves only 41 percent of online travelers who research and/or book hotels online being �satisfied� or �very satisfied� with the quantity of visuals online. Broken down, there is a notable difference in satisfaction levels between online travelers who rely exclusively on third-party travel Web sites (those who only use travel Web sites such as Travelocity and Orbitz and no hotel specific Web sites) and those who utilize only hotel Web sites and no general travel Web sites. Of the one in five online travelers (21%) who report using only general travel Web sites to shop online, only 34 percent report being �satisfied� or �very satisfied� with the quantity of visuals, compared to those who only utilize hotel direct Web sites (10%), of which 51 percent report being �satisfied� or �very satisfied.� Respondents found various types of visuals important and useful in choosing a hotel. While still photographs rate highest in importance, rich media tours and videos also show broad consumer appeal. � Two-thirds Say Still Photographs Are Important in Hotel Booking Decision � Still images are common online visuals used by hoteliers today and nearly two-thirds (64%) of online travelers say these still photographic images are �important� or �very important� to their booking decision, with nearly one in three (30%) reporting still photographs as �very important.� � Rich Media 360º Virtual Tours and Short Videos Attract Consumer Appeal � The survey suggests that consumers are showing an appetite for more interactive visuals in their shopping and purchase paths. Nearly three in five online travelers (59 percent) say 360º virtual tours would be �useful� or �very useful� in helping them select a hotel that matches their preferences and expectations, while nearly half (48%) believe a short video showing a property�s features and amenities would be �useful� or �very useful.��We know price and location play the most important role in consumer shopping behavior and decision making, but we were particularly intrigued to see that factors such as loyalty programs and hotel brand were rated so far behind visuals in importance by online travelers,� said Paolo Boni, president and CEO of VFM Interactive, which commissioned the study. �With still image and rich media visuals rated so highly on consumers� importance and usefulness scales for influencing their selection of one hotel over another online, hoteliers should re-evaluate their online presence � particularly how they are being represented through online travel agency sites -- to address the lower consumer satisfaction visuals found online today. �With more than 80 percent of online travelers using third-party sites as part of their hotel research online, these findings underscore the importance of a hotel�s Web image not only on its own site but also on online travel agency sites. As we dissected the results, we found specific segments of the online population place greater importance on visuals and VFM will be working with our existing and new hotel clients and travel Web site distribution partners to apply some of these consumer insights to increase conversion across the board,� added Boni. VFM Interactive released a more detailed summary today at the PhoCusWright
Executive Conference in Orlando. The Company and Harris Interactive
representatives are available to discuss findings in greater detail upon
request. To receive a summary of the findings, please register at www.vfmii.com.
Representatives from hotel or travel distribution companies may contact
[email protected] and members of the
media or industry analysts should contact [email protected].
ABOUT VFM INTERACTIVE
ABOUT HARRIS INTERACTIVE
i For purposes of this survey, price and location were not rated due to the common understanding these are the most important influencers in selecting one hotel over another. ii Throughout this release, the term �online travelers�
refers to online U.S. adults aged 18+ who stay in hotels when they travel
and research and/or book hotel accommodations online.
v Respondents were asked to rate the importance of 7 different factors that may influence their decision to select one hotel over another. Price and location were not included in this list for reasons explained earlier. vi �Low satisfaction� refers to a net of the bottom two responses on a 4-point scale (Very Satisfied, Satisfied, Somewhat Satisfied, Not at all Satisfied). |
Contact:
Dawn Lyon
VFM Interactive
Nancy Wong
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