Pinterest, a two-year-old social bookmarking site that lets users collect and share things they like on the web, is driving increasingly significant amounts of traffic to retailers’ websites.
via mashable.com
"Hotels have begun offering direct bookings through Facebook and smartphone apps, and they hope that the convenience and direct contact will lure back travelers who have been turning to online travel agencies."
Read the full article at www.nytimes.com
"Latest data from Google has indicated that the rise of mobile for travel web browsing is happening now and is happening fast. Revealing figures at the latest Travolution Editorial Advisory Board meeting this week Robin Frewer, the search engines director for travel, said it was seeing “huge growth” from mobile."
Read the whole article at www.hotelmarketing.com
"Travel is one of few industries bless with reliable, built-in buying seasons, and therefore, predictable consumer buying patterns and behaviors. From research and booking to take-off and arrival, the opportunities to capitalize on travel promotions and discount offers, as well as relevant upsell and cross-sell opportunities, are virtually limitless."
Read more on www.hotelmarketing.com
Lodging Interactive, an award winning Interactive and Social Media Marketing Agency exclusively servicing the hospitality industry, announced today the roll out of its Mobile SMS Text Marketing services for the hospitality industry. The Company's new Mobile SMS Text marketing services provide comprehensive turn-key outsourced solutions that build guest loyalty while driving new revenue.
"With 92% of the US population owning a cell phone it is becoming increasingly important for hoteliers to leverage the marketing opportunities Mobile SMS Text marketing offers," said Mr. DJ Vallauri, Lodging Interactive's Founder & President. "Our solutions build upon our mobile website design services and provide a turn-key platform for hotels to get involved in mobile marketing."
Through various package levels, Lodging Interactive will design a fully search engine optimized mobile website to ensure proper content rendering on all major cell phone devices. Mobile websites are designed for efficient navigation from any iPhone, Android, Black Berry, Google smart phones as well as basic flip cell phones. All packages include complete hosting and ongoing maintenance of the hotel's mobile website.
Additionally, Lodging Interactive will establish customized Mobile SMS Text marketing programs to ensure an ongoing level of guest and prospective guest mobile communications. Through its Mobile SMS Text messaging platform Lodging Interactive Account Managers work with the hotel property management to create and schedule mobile communications in a complete turn-key approach.
"We want to make it very easy for hoteliers to get involved with Mobile SMS Text marketing. This is why we developed a complete turn-key approach," added Mr. Vallauri. "From designing the initial mobile website to creating and managing ongoing Mobile SMS Text messaging to in-house guests, past guests and potential guests, our people manage the entire program for our hotel clients."
Richard Walsh, the Lodging Interactive Vice President of Business Development shared his observations; “Easy mobile access, navigation and research on your mobile website is an important integral part of a successful marketing program. Plus, the added benefit of reaching out to in-house guests, past and prospective guests with immediate news, services and specials with brief unobtrusive opt-in messages is equally valuable. The smart phone has become the communication method of choice for both business and leisure travelers, our new mobile marketing service packages are designed for quick implementation, a total solution and measured results.”
For more information related to the Lodging Interactive Mobile SMS Marketing service, please contact Mr. Richard Walsh, Vice President of Business Development at 877-291-4411 ext. 705 or via email at rjwalsh@lodginginteractive.com
"A new survey of 36,000 frequent travelers about their hotel loyalty programs shows that one out of five members rely on mobile to communicate with their loyalty program, whether Hilton HHonors, InterContinental's Priority Club or Marriott Rewards.
The 2010 Frequent Traveler Survey was conducted by Loylogic, a company that develops technology for loyalty programs, to better understand frequent travelers' opinions towards their current loyalty programs and reward redemption."
Full article via USAToday
"Google Places With Hotpot allows you to search for locations nearby based on a number of categories like restaurants, coffee shops, hotels, ATMs and tourist attractions. As with services like Yelp, you’re able to see top-rated locations nearby, rating and reviewing directly from your phone."
Read the full article at www.hotelmarketing.com
"Cheaters never prosper. Except in the realm of Foursquare, perhaps, where false checkins can sometimes garner mayorships. Well, those days are over, according to the geolocation service, which is announcing this week that business owners now have the ability to oust mayors who have come by their positions wrongly."
read more at www.mashable.com
"Facebook isn't lavishing kisses on Foursquare, Gowalla, Google or any other company with a mind to compete in making money from local businesses with its new Facebook Deals service.
Facebook Deals connects U.S. consumers with local businesses via the Facebook Places check-in social service. iPhone users must install the Facebook for iPhone 3.3 application, touch "Places" and then "Check In."
Nearby stores participating in Facebook Deals will display a yellow icon. iPhone users can view the deal and check in to claim it, then show their phone to the cashier to receive the gift or discount. Starbuck's, McDonald's, Gap and some 20 other stores are currently enrolled in the Deals program.
Consumers who check-in via Deals get free or discounted goods, or have donations sent to charities. Businesses can lure both new and returning patrons, explained Tim Kendall, director of monetization for Facebook, during the Deals launch Nov. 3."
via www.eweek.com
"When using the mobile internet, people around the world face two main challenges - sometimes the experience is too slow to be fun and the cost of data plans and understanding them can be daunting," Facebook's Sid Murlidhar wrote on the firm's official blog.
via news.bbc.co.uk
