Something strange is going on - Blog
Posted on Monday, Oct. 30, 2017Last week I was looking for a hotel and for this I prefer to use Booking.com. Why? Because Booking.com easily and clearly shows which hotels can be found and booked in a certain region. But actually I never book through Booking.com, but always directly through the website of the hotel itself. But then there is something strange going on on hotel websites. In fact, some hotels also list on their websites the price that is on Booking.com, in addition to the price you pay when you book online with the hotel. The price from the hotel itself is obviously lower. So the commission they normally remit to Booking.com they actually give directly to you as a guest.
An interesting development that I think seems unstoppable. Booking.com and other hotel booking sites invest millions in Google Adwords campaigns and social media to make sure you find and book a hotel through their websites. But with hotels backlash, this will likely have a negative impact on the booking sites in the long run.
I am following this development with great interest. Particularly because we at LeisureKing have been telling people for years that, above all, you have to make your own services bookable through your own website. But of course you should also be findable and bookable through other channels to increase your reach. I fully realize that when my clients are on RentSeeDo.com stand, there is a chance that the tourist will book directly with the provider of the activity. So do I mind? No, because my goal is for my client to get more business and to be taken care of. If my customer gets it right, then I get it right. In addition, with LeisureKing we like to focus precisely on the small businesses. On the SME who does not have the time and money for an expensive reservation system or a complete marketing strategy. Because precisely this target group disappears or goes bankrupt when they cannot be booked online. These pearls must become regionally findable and bookable. And we help them with that, including the Front Office App.
In addition, once they are bookable online, I advise every client to offer discounts when people book and pay for their reservations online. Why? Because then they are not going to call you and that saves time! It is already common at campsites and bungalow parks that you pay a €10.00 handling fee when you book by phone. Therefore, reward your customers when they book online. Then they will do it more often! If I look at my own activities, 74% are already booked online. And that saves a lot of phone, mail and hassle!
And believe me, the tourist who sits in front of his caravan in the evening and sees that only one sloop or other activity is still available is all too eager to book and pay online. Because imagine this one is forgiven the next day... What should he tell his children?
Erik Kroon - Founder LeisureKing
