Worldhotels develops online offering
Worldhotels, one of the leading groups for independent hotels worldwide, has come full circle in its online offering by unveiling a range of new enhancements designed to maximise business for its affiliate hotels.
Developments include the makeover of worldhotels.com, with extended functionalities for consumers, travel agents and corporate clients, and new facilities for the increasing number of guests who plan their travel on the go with the mobile optimisation of the website and a new mobile app for iPhone and Android.
“Establishing the Worldhotels brand is central to our efforts to fully support and build business for our affiliates,” says Robert Hornman, Worldhotels’ Managing Director. “By truly focusing on the needs and user experience of our guests, we believe our new online presence has far greater potential to showcase our brand as well as to secure bookings. Our website especially is becoming an ever-more significant sales channel for our hotels worldwide.”
The new website offers a much more user-friendly experience and is designed to convert ‘lookers’ to ‘bookers’ with an optimised layout, navigation and a range of design features, content and interactive functionality.
At-a-glance presentation of nearly 500 hotels in the Worldhotels’ portfolio, including large imagery and multimedia content, ensures that each property is showcased in the best possible way. Supporting this, a range of interactive information provides destination details, travel inspirations, local events, attractions and things to do and see - even a local weather feed and the opportunity for guests to pre-book taxis.
Global map search functionality allows the site to display fully-integrated maps at all destination levels, ensuring visitors can check the exact location of their hotel and its proximity to local restaurants, nightlife and attractions. Real-time availability and rate selection functions are also included, providing visitors with easy booking access to all accommodation options open to them.
The new site also features an optimised, easier-to-use travel agent portal through which agents can access special rates, dedicated offers and bespoke content. A Business Traveller Portal allows corporate travellers of small and medium enterprises to book a dedicated Travel Select rate and negotiated rates, while an enhanced search tool for MICE planners enables direct RFP functionality and the option to contact Worldhotels staff via e-mail or by telephone.
To cater to an increasing number of guests looking at or booking hotels on the go, Worldhotels has partenered up with Frommer’s and introduced a mobile app, the World City Guide by Worldhotels. The app offers reviews of top attractions, travel tools and tips for smart travel and interactive maps. All of Worldhotels’ hotels can be booked directly via the app. Android users can already download the application and it will soon become available for iPhones as well.
To round out the offering for mobile access, Worldhotels will launch a mobile-optimised website in October of this year.
Supporting these developments, Worldhotels has made great strides in increasing the reach and engagement of its Social Media channels, primarily Facebook and Twitter. The independent hotel group has been focused on utilising social media to boost brand recognition and business for its hotels, and sees social media campaigns as an integral part of its strategy to grow the Worldhotels brand, building a community of both business and leisure travellers.
Worldhotels can now offer hotels a complete online solution – rounded out by the support of its booking engine Resmaster, which launched a new and improved version earlier this year.