Booking.com offers smaller hotels direct online tool to drive bookings
Published: 27 Aug 2008
Online hotel portal Booking.com has launched a new avenue for smaller hotels and guesthouses, integrating a direct booking tool into their own websites.
As per the new Booking Button, hotels of all sizes can offer direct bookings through their own websites. Neither a set-up fee nor an annual fee is charged for this service by the company.
Hotels pay Booking.com a low, per-booking commission of three percent for bookings made through the Booking Button.
Once the hotels have inserted the Booking Button onto their websites, it connects consumers directly (and seamlessly) to Booking.com's fully configured reservation system. The button requires no additional software or hardware investment by hotels.
"Our Booking Button solution is particularly helpful for smaller hotels and chains that, until now, have only been able to process online availability enquiries via email or telephone," says Martin Lamme who, as Project Manager Hotels, is responsible for the development of the tool. "Consumers seeking and reserving hotel accommodation today expect to receive an immediate booking confirmation, even from small hotels."
Booking Button available in seven languages and six designs.
When a reservation query is placed, the hotel website identifies all options which are available via the Booking.com system at the respective hotel.
"Depending on the hotel, a generous list of options might be generated. Often, the options range from specials for early bookers to seasonal offers and long stays in apartments and family rooms," said Rachel Howes, Managing Director Booking.com UK.
According to the company, the reservation tool provides guests with significantly more options than the service which smaller hotels could offer themselves. Now, hotels can present their online visitors with a new reservation system in seven languages. The content is currently available in German, English, Spanish, French, Italian, Dutch and Polish.
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Pitkin said on 28 Aug 08:
This looks like a great service. I believe that I among the many travellers who prefer smaller hotels -- not only less expensive, but almost always a far more pleasant stay than the corporate regimented hotels.
I went to Booking.com and spot checked some of my favorite cities and towns. I was pleasantly surprised by the selection and rates. However, some of my favorite small hotels were not yet listed, but all that means is that Booking.com has some marketing to do.