07/14/2011  SUMMER DEALS AND MARKETING

    For summer 2011, room discounts will be the most common deal offered:



40% will offer discounts on rooms



38% will offer special amenities (i.e., free wireless Internet)



37% will offer free parking



14% will offer one night free with booking



9% will offer deals on local attractions



4% will offer rewards points



4% will offer free local transportation



11% will offer other deals



    According to survey respondents, a property's own website is the most popular way of marketing deals to potential customers:



75% use their property's Website to market deals to potential customers



39% use email



25% use user-generated review sites



22% use social media



20% use online travel agencies



14% use direct mail newsletters or coupons



8% use travel agencies



5% use blogs



8% use other methods



    "The latest TripAdvisor Accommodation Owners Survey reveals that, whatever the future may hold, owners' marketing budgets have for now generally increased or stayed the same, which is an encouraging economic indicator," said Christine Petersen, president of TripAdvisor for Business. "Owners are placing great importance on online marketing, social media and mobile marketing, as these strategies become increasingly important for reaching discerning travellers online or on-the-go."



    The TripAdvisor Accommodation Owners Survey was sent by email to a random sample of accommodation businesses. The survey was conducted from May 18 to June 3, 2011 and generated 791 completed responses. Several questions were offered in a "select all that apply" format and therefore result in responses that yield percentages totalling a number greater than 100 percent.