Promotional Website

Hilton does of good job of capturing the emotional aspect of travel in their new promotional site.

But this hotel does an exceptional job of incorporating videos (interior pages).

Very funky Nike site...Bode Miller.

What direction should hospitality sites take next...leave a message.

Reading for Classes 30+31/01 - Link Fixed

Once again, you have some reading, research and posting to do for the upcoming classes.

Read Is Your Hotel's Web Site the Ultimate Distribution Machine?

Research Find an example hotel site (for each category) that is clearly a good example of:
1. Excellent content - words and expressions that interest the customer, getting them to click on more pages in the site
2. Imagery - good use of visual images - relevant to visitor and content
3. Interactive reservations with Real Time Availability

Due Date Please post your research + comments + hotel site link in your blog by 29/01

Guidelines:
-find a hotel site for each category-it must be a the hotel's own site, not the group/chain's site...nor a third party-it cannot be a site that we have used in class-comment on why you think it is a godd example.

If you cannot find a good example, then provide an example of what NOT to do.

I'm looking forward to an interactive, informative class.

Restaurant, Club sites

The Net is the perfect medium to let visitors experience an environment...take a look at some really funky sites:
Pearl South Beach
L'Atelier Maitre Albert
Doraku
Lute
and a truly innovative site, for a unique concept...
Sketch

Upcoming Classes - 24/01 + 25/01 - New Note

Revised
I'm not sure if the Tuesday Wednesday switch has been approved...so I guess we will all find out tomorrow.

Regardless of your class day...both classes will be following the same topics. Just a reminder, there is reading, research and posting due for your next class.

Based upon some good questions in last Tuesday's class and an idea list from Wednesday's class, I am shifting tech focus to 'future'...what is next for hotels in guest room - guest servcies tech; online efforts; new tools.

My expectation...
That you will read, think...bring examples and participate. The current state of the class is far too boring for me!

For next week's classes (both groups):
Read - Basic Components of a Hotel Website
Research - Find 3 hotel websites (not 3rd party, not chain) that demonstrate the best practices described in the article
Post - Text links to the 3 sites (words that link to the site...not the URL) and your comments on how these sites measure up or fall short of the best practices.
Due - 22/01/2006

Another next generation hotel website. Turn on your speakers!!
Post a comment: What should be in this website to make it better for the guests?

Welcome Back - 2nd Semester

I hope everyone had a fantastic holiday break and is ready to explore tools available to hotels and restaurants.

Let’s start with Restaurant Reservations – online bookings.
Livebookings

Open Table
Review both online systems, please post a comparative chart in your blogs by Sunday Jan 8:

-What are the benefits of each system for the customers
-What are the benefits for the restauranteurs
-What are the costs for each system
-Please link to 2 restaurant websites (per system) that have integrated real time reservations bookings

Prepare for class – a briefing on similar systems available in France or other European countries.

See you on Tuesday 10/01 and Wednesday 11/01