Google brings the World to Travellers

How often have you heard the term ‘Google it’ ? meaning to search on the Internet browser ‘Google’ for just about anything. The verb ‘Google’ was officially added to the Oxford Dictionary back in June 2006 and yes, I Googled it! But have you heard of the amazing new FREE tools Google is delivering to Hotels and Travellers alike? It’s called Hotel Finder.

 

Hotel Finder allows you to locate the perfect Hotel / Motel / Resort by pinpointing on the Google map the exact location you wish to stay.

Let’s say you’re thinking of a trip to Darling Harbour Sydney. It looks like a fabulous city to explore but how can you find somewhere close to everything, for a long weekend? Finding every option available would normally take hours of tedious research.

Hotel Finder gives you the tools to do the research in no time at all. Using the pins on the Google map, mark out the area you are thinking would be the perfect location. Hotel Finder will then highlight all the possible Motels / Hotels / Resorts etc within this map giving you photos, rates and full details of each one.

Users can then decide on the Room Rate per night and define the Hotels/Motels/Resorts by star rating etc; adding the properties you prefer to a ‘wish list’ to examine and compare in more detail before placing a booking. The ‘Book’ button allows the traveller to then book directly with the property or by using Wotif, Booking.com or similar.

As a Property Owner there are some basic steps to undertake to ensure your Property is featured with full colour photos, reviews and general information. Get onto Google Places and start the process of claiming your Google Place Page – it’s free and it’s easy. Also think about adding Hisite to your website. Once the travellers’ search finds your property and visits your website for more photos and information you can then direct them to your ‘Book Now’ button and take the booking direct. Hisite gives the traveller options to check dates availability and see room details, term and conditions etc. By booking directly through Hisite the traveller saves on Booking fees etc but the Property also gains a direct booking which then drops into the Hirum system and saves both parties money and time. Contact Hirum today for more details on Google Hotel Finder and Hisite: e: sales@hirum.com.au or p: (07) 5574 4990

Other Interesting Facts from Google: Did you know?

• Dreaming: 68% of business travellers watch travel-related online videos. Among them, 68% are thinking about a trip.
• Planning: The average traveler visits ~22 travel related sites during 9.5 research sessions prior to booking.
• Booking: 37% of leisure travellers report that the internet prompted them to book; this figure is up from 28% two years ago.
• Experiencing: 70% of business travellers check into their flights/hotel with their mobile device. Almost 1 in 4 hotel queries come from a mobile phone.
• Sharing: About 1 in 3 business travellers have posted reviews online of places they’ve been.