When Google made changes to their local ranking algorithm last July, the update was supposed to make local search more closely mimic traditional organic web search rankings. According to Google, the new algorithm improved … Read More
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Hotel Social Media Marketing
In 2003, Myspace, the first widely known social networking site, was founded and shortly thereafter, Facebook was founded in 2004, followed by Youtube in 2005 and Twitter in 2006. The number of social networking platforms … Read More
10 Tips to Choose a Hotel Marketing Agency
The hotel marketing agency you hire will play a large role in the financial success of your business. With the proliferation of hotel marketing companies that has occurred in recent years, the market has become flooded with … Read More
Net Neutrality and the OTAs
Following the recent rants of HBO’s “Last Week Tonight” host John Oliver on his comedy news show, I lamented that my dream of a perfect-equality, utopian internet could be corrupted by FCC rules which will allow ISPs … Read More
How a Hotel Executive Can Beat the OTA at Their Own Game
As a hotel executive, maybe you attended Cornell or another prestigious hospitality school. You have really honed your skills over the years, paid your dues and worked your way up from housekeeping to the front desk and … Read More
Data harvesting to win travel marketing in the future
Johnny Depp’s new movie Transcendence about a sentient machine that combines infinite, collective intelligence with the full range of human emotions inspired me to contemplate the future of online travel marketing as it … Read More
Going Mobile with Your Travel Marketing
As a hotel marketing expert, I foresee an alarming trend. I see a widening gap in the marketing success of the OTAs (online travel agencies) and traditional hotel operators. What’s driving this? Well, OTAs are hiring … Read More
Meet the OTA Rock Stars of the Online Travel World
The four names I am about to mention have revolutionized the way we book travel. While many (including myself) appreciate the convenience and ability to research, plan and price their own travel, there have been casualties … Read More
Five Steps for CVBs and Hotel Lodging Associations to Win Over Local Hoteliers and Win Back Google Rankings Over OTAs
Local hotels, especially boutique properties, are facing interesting challenges in today’s digital marketplace. On the one hand, OTAs (online travel agents) are bringing visitors and exposure to the smaller guys. On the … Read More
The Great Google AdWords Hotel Blunder
I call my finding a blunder because as a company built on “do no evil”, I cannot believe Google would allow this to happen. The Google AdWords Specialist I contacted was not even aware of what I am about to show you. … Read More