Business Services Industry
Carlson's Web initiative helps guests shop for rates
Hotel & Motel Management, June 21, 2004 by Bruce Adams
Aruba -- Carlson Hotels Worldwide partnered with Sidestep, a search engine for travelers, to offer information on its web sites about its branded hotels and competitive hotels.
Users can download an applet that searches all the major travel sites by number of stars or price for all Carlson brands except Regent. Guests will be able to click on competitive hotels to leave the Carlson brand Web site.
"This is a radical approach, but people are doing it anyway," said Brian Stage, executive v.p. of sales, distribution and reservation services for Carlson Hotels Worldwide.
"Guests are comparison shopping on the Internet, so we aren't offering them options they don't already have," said Christine Brosnahan, v.p. of Carlson Hospitality Worldwide reservations and distribution services. "We want to make it simple and easy to book online. If people understand rates and the value they are buying, that will increase our revenue per available room."
The site would not be biased to Carlson hotels, because that would destroy the value and credibility to guests, Brosnahan said. Guests also can provide online feedback about their stay at all Carlson brands through a new feature called "Rate Your Stay." She said the brand Web sites will post positive and negative feedback and edit out names and obscene language.
Carlson will offer an interface with Travelocity in June and with Expedia in October so rooms booked through those channels will be controlled electronically by Carlson's central-reservation system rather than by those companies faxing information to the hotel.
Most Recent Business Articles
- Your feedback
- Why fly solo when an executive assistant can accelerate your CLNC® business?
- The CLNC® mentors held the key to my first case and to my CLNC® success
- Atlanta CLNC® 6-day certification seminar photo galleryplus sign up today for spring 2009 to save $100.00
- Announcing the 2009 NACLNC® conference keynote speaker, Stedman Graham: move like a maverick for breakaway CLNC® success at the 2009 NACLNC® conference
Most Recent Business Publications
Most Popular Business Articles
- Using object-oriented analysis and design over traditional structured analysis and design
- Big Fish Games Migrates Upstream to Fisher Plaza; High Growth Online Gaming Firm Vaults Fisher Plaza Occupancy Rate Above 90%
- Top of the line: some of the world's most well-respected doctors practice in South Florida. A guide to choosing the best physician specialists - Top Doctors in South Florida
- Sand filter basics: high-rate sand filters can be confusing for those new to the business. Understanding valve modes is the key
- BEHR Paints Introduces a Colorful New Way to Paint and Prime All in One with BEHR Premium Plus Ultra™ Interior

