tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6804568859484816954.post6392895945651679598..comments2012-08-15T08:23:13.343-04:00Comments on Internet Marketing Advice for Hotels: The Groupon Effect and Caribbean Hotels - The Rise of Flash Sale Sitessdestanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05071285361387548761noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6804568859484816954.post-79739043869442655622011-12-02T09:02:37.274-05:002011-12-02T09:02:37.274-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Gaiserlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14555467175390023011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6804568859484816954.post-79747970938420196682011-12-01T20:38:46.165-05:002011-12-01T20:38:46.165-05:00Hi Gaiserle
Very interesting choice of thesis! I ...Hi Gaiserle<br /><br />Very interesting choice of thesis! I think it is too early to predict the long term impact of group buying sites like Groupon on the travel market. I can see it being an important way for smaller, independent hotels to gain exposure and of course in a recessionary environment Daily Deals sites will get lots of interest from consumers but I can't see it becoming the most prominent booking medium. The booking pattern is more last minute but it is still a few months out especially for locations such as St. Lucia. Flights to get here are still on the high end so I can't see persons basing their entire vacation plan on what they see on Groupon. Their main vacation will still be booked using the "conventional" means i.e. using OTAs, Tripadvisor etc to determine where they want to stay and then searching for the best price on the hotel's website, OTAs etc. Booking a last minute vacation on Groupon or Jetsetter would be a 2nd or 3rd annual trip, not the main vacation. At least not for mainstream consumers.<br /><br />I understand why you might have difficulty explaining the marketing power of these sites. It is tough to wrap your head around as so many people compare it to other distribution channels which is not a good comparison at all. <br /><br />I have already seen repeat business and from my interaction with the clients and from discussions with my management team who interacted directly with these clients they were very satisfied with their stay here and fell in love with St. Lucia. So quite a few of them will be back at some time, but honestly the ability to generate repeat business has a lot to do with the hotel itself.sdestanghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05071285361387548761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6804568859484816954.post-38729711172635834132011-12-01T13:05:26.682-05:002011-12-01T13:05:26.682-05:00Thank you very much for this interesting article. ...Thank you very much for this interesting article. Currently I am studying hospitality Management in Switzerland and I am writing my thesis about group buying and its potential as a viable distribution channel for hotels. I have some problems explaining if it is really a reliable marketing tool and furthermore will the concept of group buying influence the way travel is bought and sold? Do you think there will be a repeat business of guest by using such sites?<br />I would be really glad hearing some more opinions! kind regards!Gaiserlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14555467175390023011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6804568859484816954.post-22973742262207042172011-11-26T16:40:49.770-05:002011-11-26T16:40:49.770-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.sdestanghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05071285361387548761noreply@blogger.com