Direct Book Campaign:
We have compiled a list of tips and tricks to help you educate your guests and encourage them to book directly with your property as opposed to the OTAs that you may be connected with. Implementing these can increase your direct bookings and help build a loyal customer base.
Educate your guests: Help your guests understand that you prefer them to book directly. Many guests don’t understand that you pay commissions and fees when they book through a third party. Simply chatting them up about it can potentially turn them into a #BookDirect convert.
Blog: Consider a blog article that explains the benefits of booking directly with your property.
Best Available Rate: Clearly state that the lowest price will always be with you directly. Support this with a price-match policy if needed.
TripTease makes this clear with some widgets on your site that let them see pricing for the OTAs right there in your booking engine. This way, they don’t need to look elsewhere for a better price, and it gives them confidence that they are getting the best rate.
Direct Book Specials: Let them know that when they book directly, they get perks. Maybe those perks are differentiators from the OTAs. For example: Cookies and bottled water upon arrival, or access to the faster internet, etc.
You might find that it's actually more work to support the differentiation between guests who book direct and guests who book through an OTA. For example, if a guest books through an OTA, it might not be practical to offer a different level of internet access speed. So, in reality, you simply offer the same level of service to all guests.
Members Rate: Clients who take advantage of ThinkWeb can natively offer a Members Rate. This allows you to compete against the OTAs because this price is only available to guests who book directly.
Promotions and specials: Make it clear that your specials or promotions are only available for guests who book directly.