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Article:
Up-to-the-minute Data Squeezes Extra Dollars from Hospitality Bookings by: Bob Kipola There's No Such Thing as a Day-Old Room Whether it's a hotel, resort, campground, condo, or timeshare resort, anyone engaged in booking travelers needs to keep track of their available rooms. Precise, timely awareness of what's not been rented spells the difference between unsold rooms and the best possible selection for last-minute arrivals. What the hospitality industry has to sell isn't like a bagel or a widget. Any day's unoccupied accommodations can't be marked down and sold later. By the next day, that inventory is gone - a total loss. Since room inventories are so time sensitive, it's vital to know exactly which rooms are still available at any point in time. Any organization that fails to do that can't stay competitive. But that simply can't be done without real-time reservation software. Employees who handle bookings get excited to see that they can do a better job of matching up supply and demand. Still Waters Condominium Resort in Branson, Missouri brags about their Internet reservations more than doubling when they upgraded their Internet reservation software. The Internet Changes the Expectations of Travelers Travelers have gotten into the habit of going online to plan their itinerary. They conduct targeted searches and then check out the Web sites of places they'd consider staying. Roughly 80% (depending on the source) of all hospitality bookings are made directly or indirectly over the Internet. That convenience has developed a class of savvy travelers and travel planners who are quite comfortable making their own reservations without human assistance. In fact, they prefer it that way. Gone are the days when staff needs to be tied up with phone-in reservations. Let Travelers Share in the Ease of Bookings Imagine if any traveler could get real-time access to the same availability information that travel professionals have. Do you suppose that with direct access to Internet reservation systems they'd be able to find accommodations that would be impossible to locate otherwise? There's no question about it. And that reality is having a very positive impact on the bottom line of resorts that have stayed on top of such technological developments. IRM (Internet Reservation Module), developed by Resort Data, lets guests use the very same database of available rooms as industry insiders. So they are able to book rooms online, without any delays or a middleman. IRM reservations are also commission free - a savings for both the guest and hotel. Reservation Software Makes Bookings Painless Potential guests expect features like these, with minimal errors or stress: Easy-to-make reservations any time of day Reliable information about room availability that's kept up to date Links in place that supplies other, related information about a property Preferences kept on file for repeat bookings Ability to find the property that best fits their needs The time that's saved by front-desk staff not having to deal with routine reservation issues leaves them free to provide the type of support services that matter to guests. And properties that can deliver what the guest expects get their business - over and over again. Please visit our website at http://www.resortdata.com or give us a call to find out how an IRM integrated into your property management system can increase your online revenue! © Bob Kipola, 2004 About The Author Bob Kipola, VP Sales and Marketing, Resort Data Processing, Inc. Software for Hotels, Resorts, Condominium Rentals, Timeshare and Campgrounds since 1981 PO Box '1170
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