Hotel Info Systems

Last Class Tuesday - Final Exam Wednesday

You are almost finished...and so much smarter about hotel systems - offline + online.

For the Tuesday group, please be sure to put in your post whether you used Google Alerts or RSS to have your selected article sent to you. Also be sure to include 2 text links to related/supporting articles. Next week - your final.

Wednesday Group - Final Exam - 'open book', as usual - you may use notes, papers, translators.

Groovy site that really understand destination marketing. Check out how they integrate Google maps.

Opinions welcome.

Rate Checkers and Channel Management

Hi All,

By request of a class member...here is some extra info on locating Web Based channel management tools.
1. Go to hotelier's information portals and check supplier advertising, e.g. Rate Gain is advertised on the front of Hotel Marketing; Hotel Resource has a supplier section...check out technology section.

2. Do a Google search...this is a hot topic, there are tons of articles. Suppliers write articles about the topics for which they sell technology solutions. Look at the end of the article for a link to a company.

3. Do a 'channel management' search. The concept is not unique to hospitality. Look it up and make sure you have an understanding of distribution through channels.

4. There is a link to Hospitality Technology magazine in the rersource section of this blog. Look in there for company names.

OK, looking forward to seeing all you smart people tomorrow.

Class 14 + 15/03...Your Mission

We have moved from HIS - Hotel Information Systems - to HIS - Hotel Intelligence Solutions by virtue of our exploration of online distribution. We have briefly viewed TravelClick's RateVIEW solution...you should 'Take a Tour' and view the Sample Report. In addition to rate comparisions, Hoteliers need to manage online and offline channels. Travel Click, among others offer web based channel management tools.

So your mission is to research online:

Online rate comparision tools
Channel management tool

Link to the selected vendor - explain how these tools help hoteliers build business from online sources. (This is NOT a description of how the tools work but how managers apply them)

Please post in your blog by 12/03.

A link to the 360 of Paris

How to Build a Website + Intern position

For those who asked me about creating a website, Bravenet offers free websites...it is a great way to practice. As with most free stuff on the Net, there is advertising on the free sites.

If you build a site, send me a link and I'll put it in the blog.

My small Hotel e-marketing company is looking for a stagier (paid position) from end of the school year through September. If you want to work in a hotel...this is not for you, but if you want to work with hotels doing online marketing...send me an email.

Oh...and a few more funky sites...do you have a favorite? Post a comment and tell me.
KuDamm 101
Hotel Habita
Kube Rooms and Bars

Readings for 28/02 + 01/03

As we are shifting some class focus to websites and online distribution, here is a reading for class discussion:

Hotel Brand Erosion
There will be a mini-quiz comparing the information in last week's "Hotel Room of the Future" article and the article posted below for this week's reading.