Driving more bookings through direct channels is key for independent hotels and global chains to boost profitability, as it reduces reliance on OTAs and their commission fees (15-30%)
Here are some strategies to increase direct bookings:
Website Optimization:
Ensure your site is mobile-friendly and fast, as 53% of users abandon a site that takes longer than 3 seconds (Google).
Exclusive Offers:
Offer best-rate guarantees and direct-only perks like free breakfast or room upgrades, improving direct bookings by 10-20% (Revinate).
Digital Marketing:
Invest in SEO—53% of web traffic comes from organic search (BrightEdge). Use Google Hotel Ads; 65% of travelers start their search on Google (PhocusWire).
Loyalty Programs:
Hotels with loyalty programs see 50% more direct bookings from repeat guests (eHotelier).
Metasearch Engines:
25% of travelers prefer booking via the hotel’s website after seeing it on metasearch engines like Google Hotels (Sojern).
Email Marketing:
Email marketing offers an ROI of $42 for every $1 spent (DMA). Use automated retargeting to recover 26% of abandoned bookings (SalesCycle).
Retargeting Ads:
Retargeting ads are 70% more likely to convert than standard ads (Criteo).
Partnerships with Local Businesses:
Offer packages with local attractions for direct bookers to add value.
Reputation Management:
Respond to reviews; 81% of travelers say reviews influence their booking decisions (TripAdvisor).
Mobile Optimization:
Mobile is critical—70% of travelers research on smartphones, and mobile bookings account for 53% of travel site traffic (Statista).
What strategies have you found most effective for increasing direct bookings? Share your experiences or ask questions below!
Let’s discuss how to leverage these insights for better profitability.
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