A recent report entitled TripBarometer, which was published by research agency StrategyOne on behalf of TripAdvisor, revealed that the tourism industry is feeling more optimistic in 2013 than it has in the past. Forty percent of all accommodations in the world intend on increasing their nightly rates this year.
However, this strategy could actually hurt these businesses. TripAdvisor declared that instead of boosting profits, hotels could see them drop, as the most critical factor when booking overnight trips is the price of where an individual will stay. Just over 75 percent of travelers said that where they spend the night is influenced by what they'll pay, followed by location and finally, online reviews from other consumers. Other elements configuring into where reservations are made include amenities such as free Wi-Fi and room discounts.
''The TripBarometer has revealed useful insights into what global travelers are planning and shone a light on the areas where accommodation providers can do more to meet guests' expectations," said President of TripAdvisor for Business Christine Petersen. ''With travelers choosing digital channels for their travel planning and research, traditional word-of-mouth has been amplified and online booking has become the norm across the globe. The next logical step is mobile, especially considering that travelers in some emerging markets are bypassing desktops and getting online for the first time using mobile devices.''
When it comes to mobile reservations, 62 percent of individuals revealed that they want to arrange accommodations on their cell phone or tablet, while just under 80 percent of businesses were able to offer guests this ability.
If you work in the travel industry and would like to offer people the ability to book a room using a mobile device, consider contacting a small business internet marketing that specializes in optimizing websites for mobile. These agencies can also organize pay-per-click and banner campaigns.