Innkeeper Updates
The new Inns.comThe Getaway
Gift Card
The New Inns.com
If you haven't looked at BedandBreakfast.com's
sister site, Inns.com,
lately, check it out! We've given it a new look and are putting lots of time
and energy into marketing and search engine optimization. And it's working!
See below for some recent traffic reports.
For the month of March, The Hitwise Monthly Category Report for Travel
reported that Inns.com was a fast mover, meaning Inns.com has seen a
substantial increase in rank in the Travel online industry.
As you can see from a
comparison on Quantcast*, Inns.com is now getting traffic similar to some
established B&B directories.
 |
| Key:
|
- bnbfinder.com
- iloveinns.com
|
|
BedandBreakfast.com members at the Silver level and above have a
listing on Inns.com included in their membership. B&B content for both sites
is managed from the Home Base. Lots more exposure, no extra work!
Not a member of BedandBreakfast.com?
More than 7,000 innkeepers enjoy the exposure and increased reservations
that being a member brings them.
Join today!
*To compare traffic on
Quantcast, enter the
URL you want to compare in the box on the homepage and click Go. The
next page will give you information about that URL. Click the Traffic
tab at the top of the screen, then click the Compare button. You can
then enter up to four more URLs to compare.
The Getaway Gift Card Update
The next time you do you visit your local Costco, you may see a familiar
name! For the third year, BedandBreakfast.com gift cards are being featured
in Costco warehouses and on
Costco.com for Mother's Day and wedding season.
The Costco placement is just another way we are getting the word out to
travelers about B&Bs. Many people who have purchased the gift cards have
told us they hadn't considered staying at a B&B before, and converting more
travelers to B&B-goers is what we want!
The Costco demographic could not be more perfect for our industry:
- Costco has more than 25 million members.
- On the average, 8,000 people walk through a Costco in one day.
Larger locations see 12,000 people a day.
- 81% of Costco members are married.
- 82% are college educated.
- Average household income is over $100,000.
- 93% of Costco members own their home.
- Costco members' average age is mid 40’s
As the recipients of these gifts are looking for an inn at which to stay,
please keep in mind that many of them are first-time B&B goers, and we want
the experience to be one that makes them B&B goers for life! If you have any
questions about the BedandBreakfast.com gift card program,
read about it here or contact us at 800-GO-B-AND-B. Ready to sign up?
Click here.
The Getaway Gift Card pallet is in various Costco
warehouses across the U.S.
Travel Trends
North American travelers undeterred by tough travel conditions:
“Despite high gas prices and a weak dollar,
Americans appear to be sticking to summer vacation plans. Business
travelers are still moving about the country. But the one evident change is
a newfound emphasis on cutting costs. The number of people traveling set
records in 2007, and those figures are holding steady so far this year.
“Although the airlines are struggling with skyrocketing fuel prices, aging
planes and calls for tighter regulation, one bright spot is that passengers
are still filling up seats and booking flights. So far, airlines have not
announced widespread fare sales.
“Hotels have followed suit in not doing much discounting. Room rates in the
United States were up 6% in 2007, to an average of $104 a night, and
increased 5% in the first quarter of this year, according to Smith Travel
Research.
“One factor bolstering this demand is the influx of foreign travelers. In
2007, some 57 million foreigners traveled to the United States, spending
$123 billion — a record on both counts, according to the Department of
Commerce.”
How to manage online hotel reviews: "As reported by Marketing
Pilgrim,
some tips for handling positive reviews include:
- If someone takes the time to leave a positive review–how much time
does it really take for you to say thank you? Make it a daily/weekly
part of your routine–it will take you less than an hour a week.
Personalize each response by mentioning something specific they included
in their review.
- Did you get an email praising your staff or complimenting you on
your premises? Reply, thank them, and provide them a link to a place
where they can share their comments online. A simple “Thank you for your
kind comments, if you find yourself with a few spare minutes, we’d love
it if you could share your feedback here” will do wonders for increasing
the positive reviews of your business.
What about the negative reviews?
- Thank them for taking the time to leave a review.
- Highlight first any positive aspects or comments the reviewer left.
- Let them know that you’re shocked to hear their experience was
anything less than 100%. You want this guest, and future ones, to know
that this is an atypical experience.
- Apologize for any legitimate complaint.
- Explain how you’ll act on their feedback.
- Provide an offline channel for continuing the conversation. Do you
really want to get into a debate with a single guest about the quality
of your breakfast? You’ll likely enter a conversation that will distract
others from deciding to book with you. Instead, leave a lasting
impression by inviting the reviewer to call your office, where you’ll
personally listen to their comments and review their concerns.
Expedia launches tax rebate incentive program: “With 51% of recently
surveyed Americans saying they are somewhat
likely to spend their upcoming tax rebate on travel or a vacation,
Expedia will help extend those vacation dollars by offering exclusive deals
plus a coupon worth $200 off qualifying trips. Specifically encouraging
Americans to travel in the U.S. with their checks, Expedia recenlty launched
an online store designed to make shopping for a trip within a $600 per
person budget simple. The store is available now through May 13, 2008 and
includes dozens of only-on-Expedia sale prices for stand-alone hotel stays
and packages at up to 30% off regular rates.”
Courting solo travelers: “Until recently, travel options for singles
were largely limited to trips of the package-tour variety, with everyone
thrown into one enormous group or just one step removed from a dating
service. Now that's beginning to change.
“As travel companies look for new ways to expand business, they are
increasingly courting solo travelers. Roughly one in 10 leisure
travelers hit the road alone, according to the most recent data from the
Travel Industry Association, and more travel companies, from specialty tour
operators to individual resorts, are creating packages that cater to those
customers.
“Travel companies are introducing singles-only trips, pairing compatible
single travelers together, encouraging people to tour on their own, or
organizing group trips for singles. A few places are starting to do away
with the ‘single-supplement charges’, particularly if the trip is booked
early.”
Ultimate guide to the best travel websites: "William J. McGee of
Condé Nast Traveler put hundreds of travel sites to the test to reveal the
ones that will help you save money, travel smarter and enjoy your journeys
more:
- Best site for booking airline tickets winner: Kayak.com
- Booking hotels in the U.S. winner: hotels.com
- Booking hotels in Europe winner: hotels.com
- Booking hotels in Asia and the Pacific Rim winner: Kayak.com
See the
complete list of winners here.
|
 |
|
|
This Month's Sponsor
Gift Card Reseller Program
Could you use some extra cash? Sign up for the gift card reseller
program, and make 15% on each sale! There is no cost to
get started;
click here for details. If you'd like to receive a free reseller kit, contact us at 800-462-2632 or
Support@BedandBreakfast.com.
"I was looking at BedandBreakfast.com for my own
vacation and then saw that you had gift cards! And here I needed a gift
for a wedding next weekend. Thanks for solving that problem." --
Beverly S.
Referral Program
What’s better than
three months' free membership? How about six months? Or a whole year? Refer
fellow innkeepers to BedandBreakfast.com, and if they join at the Silver
level or above, your membership will be extended by three months for
each B&B that signs up. If four B&Bs sign up, your membership is free
for a year! For details,
log in to your Home Base and click
Referral Program under Free Member
Benefits, or call 800-GO-B-AND-B (800-462-2632).
Online Trade Show
Visit our vendor members!
Click here to view our Online Trade Show.
Are you a vendor?
Click here to get featured!
Advertising Auctions
Featured Property and
Inn of the Month auctions are easy, affordable and effective ways to drive
traffic to your website.
Member Information
To update your entry, check your traffic statistics, and renew your membership,
please log in
with your property ID and password. Don't like your password? Once you're
logged in, click "Membership," select "Change Password," and choose another that's easier to remember.
More information
"I am happy to report that we have had several enquiries from your site, and
one guest who is staying for five nights, so our membership cost has been
covered. Thanks for your help!" Caitlin Adair, Sanctuary, Putney, VT
Inns for Sale
Innkeepers' Info Center
Need more
info? You’ll find lots of educational
articles on our site for your convenience.
|
