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 La Quinta Streamlines Web Booking Process Based
on Customer Feedback and User Testing

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Dallas - (Oct. 5, 2004) - La Quinta recently launched several new enhancements to its proprietary website, LQ.com, to improve the site�s overall appearance and streamline the booking process.  To further enhance the visitors� experience, many of the changes to the site were made based on extensive customer feedback and user testing.

Addressing several usability issues communicated via visitor feedback, the LQ.com homepage now sports a new, fresh appearance, which consists of a more user-friendly layout that allows for faster loading times.  Also added on the homepage is a more prominent �Find By Map� option and La Quinta Returns member log in. The �Find By Map� feature allows visitors to quickly find and select La Quinta hotel locations by using a new interactive mapping application.  La Quinta Returns members can now access their accounts via the homepage login field and redeem free night certificates online. 

�Having a vibrant, user-friendly website to meet the demand of today�s web-savvy traveler is a necessity, � said Sandy Heilman, vice president of electronic distribution and marketing for La Quinta Corporation.  �La Quinta is aggressively pursuing the significant number of consumers who prefer to make their hotel reservations online and the recent updates to LQ.com will continue to enhance their online experience.�

La Quinta�s online visitors can navigate the site�s main features via tabs that are present at the top of each page.  Information on new and existing reservations, the La Quinta Returns loyalty program, special deals and discounts, as well as La Quinta�s corporate information is now easily accessible from any page on LQ.com.

As visitors search for a La Quinta hotel in their desired location, they now have a wide variety of ways of initiating the process.  They can select a hotel by location, travel route, interactive map, attraction or property category.

The enhancements to LQ.com include the site�s utilization of MapQuest mapping.  After visitors identify a desired location, a detailed map along with a listing of hotel results is provided along with icons denoting the amenities available at each hotel.  The site�s hotel results page was redesigned so that the presentation of hotels is more impactful and enhances the overall "shopping" experience.

Once a La Quinta hotel is selected, visitors are directed to redesigned reservations pages to make the booking process faster and easier. To finalize the process, an enhanced confirmation page is generated, which includes a hotel location map and "printer-friendly" option.

Visitors have taken notice of the changes on LQ.com, with the site experiencing significant increases in traffic and revenues.  In fact, as of August, traffic on the site is currently up more than 35 percent.  The boost in traffic to the site is translating into an 87 percent increase in revenues during the first six months of 2004 versus the same period in 2003.

About La Quinta Corporation
La Quinta Corporation (NYSE: LQI) is one of the largest owner/operators of limited-service hotels in the United States.  Based in Dallas, Texas, La Quinta owns, operates or franchises more than 550 hotels in 39 states under the La Quinta Inns®, La Quinta Inn & Suites®, Baymont Inns & Suites®, Woodfield Suites® and Budgetel® brands.  


 
Contact:
La Quinta Corporation
Charles Roberts
Public Relations
214.492.6732
[email protected]
www.LQ.com
Also See: La Quinta Acquiring 86 Baymont Inns & Suites and the Baymont Franchise System of 84 Hotels for $395 million in Cash / July 2004
Mark Johnson Named VP of Operations for Woodfield Suites Hotel Chain / March 2004


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