..
..
|
Site Also Realizes Better Booking Rates |
|
LONDON (October 14, 2008) � Utell Hotels & Resorts has reported a 21% increase in revenue to hotels from January to August 2008 on hotelbook.com, the representation service�s consumer site offering more than 6,000 independent, boutique and small group hotels in 2,000 cities worldwide. The site is also reporting average stays of 2.8 days, and an average increase of $15 per night in booking rates compared to 2007. Countering downward economic trends, Utell has dedicated resources in 2008 to improving bookings for hotels featured on hotelbook, including the redesign of the home page, the introduction of dedicated city microsites, search engine optimization initiatives and increased affiliate marketing activities. Sharon Wimborne, director of ecommerce for Utell, said the latest growth results are encouraging for hotels represented on hotelbook. �We�ve further developed hotelbook this year to enable the independent and boutique hotels represented to better reach the travelers globally who are seeking a unique and personalized experience,� said Wimborne. �The revenue results are evidence that our campaigns are delivering for both hotels and customers.� With the site�s content and technology supported by Pegasus Solutions, hotelbook aims to sell the complete travel experience. In addition to rooms and special offers, the site offers comprehensive travel guides and award-winning podcasts. Key markets include the U.S., U.K. and Canada. Bookings by U.K. and U.S. travelers have reflected a preference for domestic destinations. Nearly half of U.K. travelers have booked domestic destinations like Manchester, Edinburgh, and London; and 74% of U.S. customers have booked U.S. properties in destinations like New York, Washington, D.C., and Miami Beach. The data supports a trend towards vacations closer to home due to rising travel costs. Additionally, U.K. travelers took greater advantage of hotelbook�s global reach, with New York, Washington and San Francisco consistent favorites. While the U.S. preference by U.K. travelers may be explained by the increase in U.S. inbound travel due to a weakened dollar, U.K. travelers also regularly booked Barcelona, Paris and Tokyo. �In reviewing the booking trends for hotelbook, we�re pleased to see the hotels represented are attracting global business,� added Wimborne. �Travelers come to our site knowing we�ll offer the unique independent hotel experience they�re seeking, and hotels use our site to maximize limited resources in appealing to those travelers � worldwide.�
hotelbook.com is the official website for over 6000 independent properties in more than 2000 cities. With the site�s content and technology supported by Pegasus Solutions, hotelbook, cuts through the clutter of high-volume travel websites to provide fast, easy access to the information travelers need to select a hotel. Superior navigation tools, an unbiased approach to displaying hotel choices, worldwide coverage and competitive rates provide travelers with a straightforward and easy-to-use source of accurate, detailed information on each property along with rate information that is clear and complete. hotelbook customers retain control of their bookings: there are no hidden costs of booking fees, and guests pay when they stay: the website takes credit card details to secure the room only. Visit www.hotelbook.com. About Utell® Utell is the representation business unit of Pegasus Solutions. This includes both the Utell and Unirez representation services which enable nearly 11,000 independent and small group hotels in over 130 countries to compete globally. Established almost 80 years ago, Utell is the world�s largest and most experienced sales, marketing and distribution service for hotels. With a comprehensive international portfolio that encompasses luxury, boutique, value, business and resort properties, Utell caters for a variety of accommodation requirements for both business and leisure travelers. Utell�s products and services are used by thousands of travel agencies worldwide in addition to major TMC�s and consortia groups. Visit www.utell.com. |
| Contact:
Ariel Herr for Utell
|
